Our Story and Mission

Safeplace, Inc. is one of seventeen domestic violence shelters serving victims of domestic violence throughout the state of Alabama. As the only comprehensive domestic violence program in Northwest Alabama, Safeplace serves Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Marion, and Winston Counties.
Safeplace opened its doors in June 1981, and the shelter was filled
to capacity that first day.

OUR HISTORY

The term “domestic violence” started to appear in the United States in the 1970s. By 1976, the first domestic violence shelter in the U.S. opened in New York. Safeplace became incorporated in 1979 by a small group of concerned citizens who called themselves the lunch sack group. This group met once a week for a few years as they worked to bring Safeplace into being. In June of 1981, Safeplace opened its doors, and the shelter was filled to capacity on the first day. Since that time, with the help of federal and state funding, independent grants, and a tremendous amount of community contributions, Safeplace has grown into a comprehensive domestic violence program with two shelter locations, five outreach offices, and a vast array of services designed to eliminate barriers for victims.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to promote healthy relationships by providing education, intervention, and safe places. 

OUR VISION

We whole-heartedly believe in our clients’ self-determination, and we’re dedicated to living in a world where family and intimate partner violence does not exist.
Single mom having breakfast with her child

The Safeplace Creed

We are here to listen…not here to work miracles.

We are here to help victims discover what they are feeling…not to make feelings go away.

We are here to help victims identify their options…not to decide for them what they should do.

We are here to discuss steps with victims…not to take the steps for them.
We are here to help victims discover their own strength…not to rescue them and leave them still vulnerable.

We are here to help victims discover they can help themselves…not to take responsibility for them.

We are here to help victims learn to choose…not to make it unnecessary for them to make difficult choices.

WE ARE HERE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR CHANGE.
This project was supported by Subgrant # 18-VA-VS-032 awarded by the Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Division of ADECA and the U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice or grant-making component.

Safeplace, Inc.

Our mission is to promote healthy relationships by providing education, intervention, and safe places. We wholeheartedly believe in our clients’ self-determination, and we’re dedicated to living in a world where family and intimate partner violence does not exist.
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