People often say they wish Safe Shores didn’t need to exist. We feel the same way. Hard fact, though, after 24 years of service, Safe Shores – The DC Children’s Advocacy Center is still here because we have to be. Children and families affected by abuse need and deserve a humane and effective response to the violence, hurt and trauma they’ve experienced. In partnership with public and private agencies, Safe Shores works to provide comprehensive, compassionate and tailored services for every child victim.
Often this work requires meeting the urgent physical and emotional needs of child victims and their families without duplicating available services and resources. This may mean helping a mother and her children to relocate in order to escape their abuser; purchasing new mattresses and bedding for a family of six due to bedbug infestation; or, keeping utilities from being cut off when a caregiver just can’t make ends meet.
As part of our continuum of services for families whose lives have been shattered by violence, Safe Shores’ Emergency Victims Crisis Fund (EVCF) helps address seemingly insurmountable losses. Recently, our EVCF allowed us to support 9-year old Samantha who lost her beloved emotional support dog at the hands of her abuser. It may be hard to imagine that someone would kill a child’s pet in front of her, yet it happened. But with Safe Shores’ help, Samantha now has Chloe, a special pup who is restoring a sense of safety, comfort and stability to Samantha’s life. This is just one of thousands of examples of the life-changing services Safe Shores provides.
The reality is Safe Shores has to be here for children like Samantha, and with your support, we will be.
So, we ask you to close out this year by investing in providing life-saving intervention, hope and healing for children and families affected by abuse in our community. Please make your donation to Safe Shores now for a safer, healthier 2020 for children in DC. Thank you for your consideration and support!
In the spirit of hope and progress for all children,
Safe Shores – The DC Children’s Advocacy Center
