SAFE Shelter is a private, non-profit agency dedicated to victims of domestic violence and their children. Open 24-hours a day, seven days a week, the shelter offers 48 beds, all meals and clothes and other services, all at no charge to clients.
The shelter first opened its doors to victims in Savannah in 1979. Since then, thousands have come and gone through its doors, seeking relief from the violence in their own homes. The shelter maintains partnerships with the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department, Chatham County Sheriff’s Department, Rape Crisis Center, Coastal Children’s Advocacy Center, Chatham County Victim Witness Assistance Program and other local agencies dedicated to providing services to women and children.
SAFE Shelter is a United Way Agency and is certified by the State of Georgia to operate as a shelter for victims of domestic violence. The only criterion for being admitted is intimate partner violence. Clients are not required to provide police reports or show proof of visible injuries. Children are admitted with their mothers up to the age of 18.
Other services include counseling, support groups, assistance with Temporary Protective Orders, case management and after-care services.
The SAFE Shelter Outreach Program, unlike the shelter which is in a confidential location, is open to the community. The Outreach Program was designed to assist those victims who need assistance with Protective Orders, information or links to local resources. Again, there are no fees for any services. Staffed by two Victims Advocates, one of whom is bi-lingual, the Outreach Program is open five days a week, 8:30-5:00 p.m.
Families leaving the shelter can participate in the Follow-up/After Care Program. This program was created to assist families leaving the shelter make the transition back into the community. A Case Manager provides weekly home visits and a monthly support group for these families up to two years. These families can receive furniture and other household items through donations made to the shelter.
A Case Manager employed by the Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless works with clients in the shelter to help secure housing. A Children’s Program Advocate works hand-in-hand with children in the shelter to provide support and advocacy.