Michigan State University’s Safe Place, a domestic violence program established in 1994, recently received a $251,254 grant to expand its services.
“We provide emergency shelter, counseling, and advocacy services which include safety planning and childcare,” Holly Rosen, director of Safe Place said.
Services extend to students, staff, faculty, and partners. When room permits, people in the Lansing area who are experiencing relationship violence or stalking are also welcome.
“We can shelter anywhere from five to eight individuals or families, and that includes children,” Rosen said.
Safe Place has been around for nearly 30 years, MSU deputy spokesperson Dan Olsen said.
“Its mission is to provide shelter, advocacy, crisis support, and counseling services for victims of relationship violence and stalking while seeking to end interpersonal violence through public awareness and community education,” Olsen said in a statement.
Since 2011, Safe Place has been operating with three staff, operating a 24-hour shelter, Rosen said. With the grant, they are able to add a third advocate, a therapist, and a volunteer coordinator.
“We basically went from a staff of three to a staff of six,” Rosen said.
“This additional staffing will allow Safe Place to initiate more outreach, education, and provide more supportive services to the campus community,” Olsen said in the statement.
Rosen said the program's mission is to support survivors in any way they can.
“We’re here to provide services to any survivors, with dignity,” Rosen said.
Rosen urges those in need of counseling to reach out to Safe Place at noabuse@msu.edu or directly to social worker Carolina Brito. All interested volunteers can contact advocacy coordinator Lara Hayden or visit Safe Place's website.
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