Serving Henderson County for 37 years, Safelight’s mission is to offer a continuum of care for survivors of child abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence. The organization has helped over 37,000 survivors to find hope and healing through a range of services and programs that include counseling, education, healthcare, employment and housing.
A continuum of care means that the organization diversifies to meet the needs of each individual. For some survivors, care means having access to Safelight’s seven licensed mental health providers. For others, it means job training in their cafe, resale store or sewing program. And for some, it might mean having access to their family justice center that provides legal advocacy and support or being directed to their child advocacy center that supports those dealing with child abuse and neglect. Whatever the need, Safelight works hard to connect survivors to the resources and support they need to thrive.
In addition to providing resources for survivors, Safelight provides education and resources to perpetrators, community partners and government organizations. Through its domestic violence intervention program, Safelight works with perpetrators to educate them with the goal of preventing future violence. The organization also works with the court and legal providers to offer education on how to identify abusive situations and what steps to take to connect people in dangerous situations to the right resources.
Safelight has partnered with Dogwood through a grant to expand its counseling center. “The grant couldn’t come at a better time because during COVID, our waiting list has grown to the largest it’s ever been for clients needing therapy,” says Executive Director Lauren Wilkie. She adds that in many instances, the fears surrounding the pandemic overshadowed everything else, causing people to remain in troubling situations longer than they might normally have.
With the Dogwood grant, Safelight was able to add new staff to its counseling program. The program includes a mix of individual counseling and support groups. “The reality with mental health and trauma is that the number one need for those seeking counseling is to be heard. Having the right person hear you and connect you to the right resources and treatment is extremely important, and that is what makes this grant so vital,” says Wilkie.
