To Safe Harbor’s clients, staff members, volunteers, community partners, supporters and friends –

January 16, 2017

photo of a silhouette of mother and child with quote "During a climate when divisiveness is all too common, we can all agree that promoting safety and value for each other may be the most important path toward our collective healing."

As you know, 2016 was a pivotal year in our nation. It will very likely go down in history as one of our most dramatic and sensational years yet.  We cheered our Olympic athletes, mourned pop culture heroes, tripped through public spaces using new social media apps and, of course, witnessed a unique Presidential election year between two formerly unlikely candidates:  a Washington outsider and a woman.

2016 was also a pivotal year for Safe Harbor. As a staff, we spent the year learning together about Trauma Informed Services, a model for how we intend to provide our services. The trauma informed model emphasizes the six concepts of safety, trust, mutual support, collaboration, empowerment and cultural respect.  It provides us with a framework to understand and acknowledge the individual experiences of our clients so we can provide them with support and respect to chart their own course.  At the end of 2016, we adopted these concepts as the overall core principles for Safe Harbor to fulfill our mission of influencing a culture where all people feel safe and valued in their relationships.

Interestingly, Safe Harbor adopted these principles amongst a nationwide backdrop of the unprecedented news accounts of the shocking but critical issues of violence, sexual assault, predatory behavior, bullying, and racial/cultural biases. The principles of safety, trust, mutual support, collaboration, empowerment and cultural respect are a far cry from what we read in the news or what we watched on social media. For many, the events of 2016 generated an uncertainty about what we value as a nation.

As we begin 2017, we acknowledge the uncertainties—for people who have been marginalized and victimized, and potentially for our work toward assuring that all people feel safe and valued in all their relationships. However, Safe Harbor’s mission, vision, principles and dedication to service has not and will not change. Safe Harbor commits to continue our work with victims and in our communities no matter the political, economic or social climate. This does not mean that we will “bury our heads in the sand” or “put on blinders” as we work with individuals who are all too familiar with oppression and hurt. On the contrary, our work to influence a culture where everyone is safe and valued in their relationships has never been more important as it is today. In fact, during a climate where divisiveness is all too common, we can all agree that promoting safety and value for each other may be the most important path toward our collective healing.

We are grateful for your voice, energy, and partnership. There is much more that we can do together than we can do alone or apart. So, together, we ask you to stand with us to influence a culture where all people feel safe and valued.

I am a survivor of domestic abuse.


“I didn’t know that I was being abused because...

I am a survivor of domestic abuse.


“I didn’t know that I was being abused because my definition of abuse looked different. My husband pushed me, but most of my suffering was verbal and psychological. I left my husband to protect our young daughter. Almost immediately I felt the weight of his oppression begin to lift. I could see a difference in my daughter as well. Then he broke into my home and assaulted me in-front of her.

I sought help and was led to Safe Harbor. My daughter and I are in counseling now. I am sorting out the mess that abuse has caused. I am finding my voice and seeking opportunities to grow and better my life as well as my daughter's. She will gauge her self-worth from my own self-worth. I must show her that she deserves the best, by expecting the best for myself.

Many years I suffered in silence. By telling my story and being honest with friends and family, I am taking control of my life again.”

- Beth

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When you give to Safe Harbor, 82 cents of every dollar goes directly to our intervention services and prevention initiatives to break the cycle of domestic abuse in the Upstate of South Carolina. 

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We are available to provide domestic abuse education and information about Safe Harbor’s services through speaking engagements, trainings, workshops and awareness campaigns.

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Safe Harbor Resale Shop operates solely on donations from our generous community. Donations are tax deductible and make a difference in the lives of our clients.  

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Your donated furniture can support our clients as they transition out of our programs and start a new life, and can also raise money for Safe Harbor by going to our Resale Shop to be re-sold.

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