24/7 HelpLine: 734-995-5444 If you are in immediate danger, call 911. |
Linea de Apoyo de 24 horas: 734-995-5444 Si esta en grave peligro, llame a 911. |
Dear Friend.
Happy new year! I hope this holiday season brought you an opportunity of rest and time with loved ones.
Holidays can be particularly hard for survivors with increased feelings of isolation and opportunities for abuse, and stresses about lack of resources can be exacerbated. That is why at SafeHouse we never fully close, even on a holiday! Because we know that it is important for survivors to be able to access informational, emotional and logistical support as they need it 24/7.
So, I want to extend a big thank you to all our staff who made sure that survivors needs were met. And I want to extend a big thank you to all of you; our community members and partners who ensured that survivors had food, toiletries and a safe place to fall asleep. Your very generous financial contributions and in-kind donations of household items, food and toys for the children made sure that survivors didn’t feel alone during this holiday, and that they were able to celebrate with their children in a safe and meaningful way.
As we enter this new year, our commitment to maintaining a safe space for survivors to thrive remains our top priority. But we are also entering a year of uncertainly, especially as it relates to our federal funding. I will be keeping the community informed as we navigate these unknowns, and I appreciate your thoughtful and on-going financial support. Your contributions are needed and do make a difference!
What also makes a difference are the robust relationships we enjoy with so many of our fellow service providers and community partners, including elected officials. I want to give a special shout out to Mandy Grewal who recently retired as the Pittsfield Township Supervisor. Many people don’t realize that SafeHouse Center is located in Pittsfield Township, but it is something we are very proud of not least because of the great advocacy and support that Ms. Grewal’s office has provided us during her lengthy and impactful tenure. Thank you, Mandy for your service and for your support, we wish you only the best! And with retirements come new relationships and we are excited to welcome many newly elected officials across the county including our new Sherriff, Alyshia Dyer, our new Pittsfield Township Supervisor Trish Reilly, and our new Pittsfield Township Chief of Police Patrick Gray. We look forward to working with all of you and hope you will join us in our mission to support people impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault.
In gratitude,
Christine
Join our team! Check out our website to see what opportunities we have available!
Volunteer at SafeHouse Center: Empowering Communities and Supporting Survivors
SafeHouse Center is dedicated to offering critical services to survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence. A key part of our mission involves engaging with the community through volunteer opportunities, education, and internships. Below are some of our upcoming programs and initiatives that you can join.
2025 Safehouse Center CORE Training:
Winter Training: January 30 – February 2, 2025
Spring Training: May 15 – May 18, 2025
Fall Training: September 18 – September 21, 2025
Interested individuals can attend one of these training sessions to become part of SafeHouse Center’s compassionate and skilled volunteer team.
Volunteer Information Session:
Join us for our next Volunteer Information Session on January 6, where you can learn more about SafeHouse Center’s mission and volunteer opportunities. We host monthly information sessions, and you can register for the upcoming ones at SafeHouse Center Volunteer Info Sessions. This is an excellent opportunity to ask questions and learn more about how you can contribute to helping survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence.
Volunteer Spotlight: Faith Watkins
We’d like to shine a spotlight on Faith Watkins, a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) student intern from Concordia University. Faith shares, “I really enjoy creating fun memories for kids and watching their joy when it is time for playroom.” Her dedication to creating positive and safe environments for children at SafeHouse Center is invaluable, and we are grateful for her commitment and enthusiasm.
Internship Program:
SafeHouse Center is pleased to welcome two new interns from the University of Michigan’s School of Social Work: Avery Northrop and Jeanette Ringer. These talented individuals are joining our intern program to help strengthen the services we provide to survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence. Additionally, we have three other interns who will be hosting survivor workshops until August 2025.
As part of their work, they will be hosting these workshops and we are seeking sponsors to assist with providing snacks, drinks, and craft items for these events. If you’re interested in supporting their efforts, please reach out to us for more details.
Community Engagement Program:
SafeHouse Center is actively involved in the local community and can be found at several upcoming events. We offer free information tables and presentations on intimate partner and sexual violence, and we encourage you to stop by and learn more about our work.
Upcoming community events include:
If your organization is interested in hosting SafeHouse Center for a presentation, you can request one at SafeHouse Center Community Presentation Request.
Teen Voice Program:
In recognition of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month in February, our Teen Voice members will be hosting a workshop to educate and raise awareness about preventing dating violence. This initiative is designed to empower teens and create lasting change in the community.
Our Teen Voice program and its members have been a strong voice for educating on and raising awareness about healthy dating relationships for many years. We are proud of what they have been able to achieve and are so grateful for their participation, energy, and advocacy on behalf of survivors and the agency. However, due to on-going budget constraints, we have made the difficult decision to discontinue this program at the end of the current school year. This means that we will no longer offer Teen Voice Program presentations to students in area schools after that time. That said, our main Community Education Program remains fully operational and available, and we encourage you to contact us if you are interested in having us come out and present. For more information about our presentations, please visit our website at www.safehousecenter.org.
Spotlight on… The Greater Ann Arbor Quilt Guild
For more than thirty years, the Greater Ann Arbor Quilt Guild (GAAQG) has been a steadfast and invaluable partner to SafeHouse Center, providing practical assistance to individuals impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault in Washtenaw County. Through their thoughtful and generous efforts, GAAQG members have provided thousands of comforting quilts to those receiving services from SafeHouse. Each quilt, carefully crafted and donated, is given to every person who stays in the shelter as a symbol of warmth, love, and the community’s care.
In addition to these handmade quilts, GAAQG members also raise funds and collect essential supplies to support SafeHouse’s ongoing services. Their annual online quilt sale is a significant fundraiser, where beautiful, handcrafted quilts are sold to the public, with proceeds directly benefiting SafeHouse. This sale is still on-going and you can find more about it below! The Guild also donates a portion of the proceeds from their popular Bi-Annual Quilt Show to further assist SafeHouse in its mission.
Quilts and other donations are collected at each in-person meeting or through a designated drop-off location, ensuring that support is always flowing to those in need. The dedication of GAAQG members, who generously contribute their time, fabric, and resources, demonstrates a deep commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of those supported by SafeHouse. As a non-profit organization, GAAQG continues to grow—today boasting over 260 members—who remain united in their love for quilting and in their desire to help those in their community who need it most. Thank you so the GAAQG for all you do for Safehouse Center and people in our community impacted by intimate partner violence and sexual assault.
Buy Your Jelly Bean Jump Up Calendar Today!
Join us in supporting Zingerman’s Jelly Bean Jump Up fundraiser, benefiting SafeHouse Center! Jelly Bean was the beloved corgi companion of Zingerman’s co-founder Ari Weinzweig, and during their 17 years together, they jogged past SafeHouse Center daily.
In Jelly Bean’s honor, Zingerman’s is selling a calendar featuring adorable local dogs with all proceeds from each calendar sale going directly to SafeHouse. Calendars are available for purchase at the Coffee Company, Deli, Roadhouse, and online. Your purchase helps provide safety, support, and resources for those in need. Thank you for honoring the memory of Jelly Bean and supporting SafeHouse Center!
Our Quilt Sale Closes Soon!
The Greater Ann Arbor Quilt Guild (GAAQG) has supported SafeHouse Center through donations of quilts for many years. Each fall, the Greater Ann Arbor Quilt donates quilts for SafeHouse Center to sell as a fundraiser. These quilts are lovingly handmade by members of the Guild. Keep yourself warm with a beautiful quilt today!
2025 Breakfast
Save the date for our upcoming Breakfast Event on April 10, 2025! We’re excited to gather together for a morning of community, conversation, and connection. More details on the event and how to attend will be shared as the date approaches, so be sure to keep an eye out for updates. We look forward to seeing you there!
Thank you to our donors and volunteers for your continued support! Your contributions allow us to continue to offer free and confidential services to survivors.
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. We’d love to hear your thoughts! Help us make our newsletter even better by sharing your feedback and thoughts here.
24/7 Helpline
(734) 995-5444