Austin Children’s Shelter and SafePlace have joined forces to create SAFE. The new organization will deliver comprehensive services and address the spectrum of needs for individuals and families affected by violence and abuse.
“We formed a partnership 2 ½ years ago and began increasing our effectiveness and efficiencies almost immediately,” said Kelly White, CEO of SAFE. “Our learnings about the intersections of the many types of violence and abuse have been significant, allowing us to increase access to services and provide stronger advocacy, awareness and prevention programming.”
SafePlace and Austin Children’s Shelter, both of which provide critical intervention services in the Austin area, will continue as separate non-profit corporations operating as supporting corporations to SAFE.
The issues of child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault evolved separately as concerns in the public arena and are typically addressed through different governmental systems – including funding and regulations. Increasingly, however, research and systemic responses are recognizing that these issues often exist simultaneously or sequentially in the lives of people who have experience abuse and violence.
