About Safe Haven

In 2018 the Administrative Assistant became a full-time position with the agency.

The building expansion was completed in October 2018 and fully operational in November. Prior to the expansion being completed (Jan-Oct 2018) shelter was occupied at optimal capacity (5 families – one to each room) or over capacity (families shared rooms) 89% or 269 days, with the highest count at 9 families. When the three new bedrooms opened (Nov-Dec) shelter was occupied at optimal capacity (8 families – one to each room) or over capacity (families shared rooms) 18% or 11 days, with the highest count at 9 families. The shelter was never empty and was occupied by 2 or more families 100% of the time. 71% of the clients were out reach participants.

The full capital campaign goal of $425,000 was reached in February 2019.

A large increase in the VOCA grant was received in October 2019 and an additional FT position of Lead Advocate was created. The Administrative Assistant also took on the additional role of Volunteer Coordinator funded through VOCA.

In 2020 Covid-19 completely altered program services. Safe Haven continues to provide all services, but in a different manner. Onsite shelter shut down from March 20 to June 1 and shelter was provided at hotels. Thousands of dollars of food boxes, hygiene bags, gas cards, diapers and other items are being distributed to participants to assist with their needs. No in person trainings or presentations were allowed. Most volunteer activities and fundraisers were also placed on hold. During the pandemic, domestic violence calls to law enforcement increased and outreach services became extremely important. The shelter re-opened in June, 2020 and has remained open since that time.

Many upgrades to the buildings and grounds were completed in 2020-21 including the completion of the Children’s room, re-doing the support group room, painting, replacing the security fence, upgrading technology, installing new windows, replacing old furniture and appliances, landscaping, purchase of a new riding lawn mower, re-sealing the parking lot, and new hallway lighting. 

In late, 2021, Safe Haven began holding more in-person events, group sessions and presentations. Volunteers are slowly returning to in-person services, but we always need more help! 

Currently the shelter has 9 full-time and 4 part-time staff.

Two initiatives began in 2017, the Voices of Men group in Shawano and the Lethality Assessment Program. The vision of VOM is to create a community where boys are taught healthy manhood and men treat all people with dignity. This is an organization of men trying to stop the cycle of violence by teaching young men a more appropriate way to treat the women in their lives. Law enforcement and Safe Haven joined together to apply for a grant to receive training on the Lethality Assessment program to prevent domestic violence homicides. Law enforcement were trained to use the evidence based lethality assessment tool to identify victims of intimate partner violence who are in the highest danger of being killed by their partner. Once law enforcement identifies a high risk victim, they are immediately connected to Safe Haven for emergency safety planning and enhanced service provision. In 2017, law enforcement responded to 172 domestic violence calls. They completed 152 intimate partner DV calls, and 20 family violence calls. 91 intimate partner calls screened in as high danger, meaning those victims are statistically more at risk to be a victim of a domestic homicide. That is 60% of the calls are considered at risk for homicide.

Since opening the shelter in 2002, the agency has more than doubled its personnel and now offers more programming for both shelter and outreach participants. With the emergency shelter typically full and the increase in programming and services, we have outgrown our current space. The Board of Directors began talking about expansion in 2017 and the plans were drawn to expand the facility by 2,200 square feet. The campaign, Breaking New Ground, Building and Restoring Lives, had a goal of $425,000 and a purpose of reaching out to build a safe and healthy community, free from violence and abuse. The building expansion provided additional, private bedroom space by adding 3 bedrooms, an increase from 5 to 8 bedrooms. This was designed to help alleviate the need for families to share rooms. The expansion also was designed to support outreach participants by creating space for a confidential and secure waiting area; add a large community room on the main floor for support groups, book clubs, educational workshops, art therapy workshops, prevention education and teen mentoring; and, add private meeting rooms and offices so staff and community partners such as law enforcement, human services and others can meet with participants. The expansion created more office space to allow each staff person to have their own office. The campaign included upgrades and additions to IT and security, a new roof on the entire building, refreshing and furnishing all bedrooms and furnishing the expansion.

In 2014 and 2015 additional grant money was obtained through the Department of Children and Families Basic Services Grant which allowed for the addition of a new position the Administrative Assistant (Aug 2015). Other infrastructure projects took place including building a bathroom in the lower level of shelter so the children’s play room and support group room had an easily assessable bathroom. The Support Group room was refurbished to become more user friendly and more comfortable.

The largest change took place in 2016 with the position changes of the DV Advocate and Children’s Advocate. The DV Advocate became the Program Services Supervisor/Counselor and  oversees the development of new client programming and services provided by all advocates. This new position requires a MSW and licensing as a counselor which greatly enhances our services to victims. The Children’s Advocate became the Family Services Advocate to more fully cover the scope of this position. This advocate works closely with both the parent and child(ren) to establish good communication, assist with parenting concerns, provide safety planning and help coordinate other services with school, etc. Increased hours for the Shelter Advocate positions allows for shift overlap and improved communication with staff. An additional Family Services Advocate was hired in 2017 to work late afternoon and evening hours to provide increased service hours for victims who work during the day and children who are in school.

In 2011 Safe Haven contracted with the Tech Ed Building and Trades Program of Shawano Community High School to build a 2,000 square foot storage garage on the land adjacent to the shelter. The class donated their services and many contractors discounted or donated product to make this project a reality. The garage was completed in early 2012.

2012 marked the shelter’s 10 year anniversary for shelter operations (2/11/2002) and 20 years as an incorporated organization (10-27-1992). A sign was erected in front of the building with the name and logo. Much community awareness and many events were held throughout the year.

In August 2013, a group of individuals met to review the mission and vision, set goals and give the shelter an updated strategic plan. The mission and vision were reviewed and changed to better include the sexual assault programming.

Mission: to encourage a safe community, free of physical and sexual violence and emotional abuse, through shelter, caring, advocacy and education.

Vision: to be a catalyst for change and to break the cycle of violence so individuals or families can become healthy, self sufficient and independent.

2012 marked the shelter’s 10 year anniversary for shelter operations (2/11/2002) and 20 years as an incorporated organization (10-27-1992). A sign was erected in front of the building with the name and logo. Much community awareness and many events were held throughout the year.

In August 2013, a group of individuals met to review the mission and vision, set goals and give the shelter an updated strategic plan. The mission and vision were reviewed and changed to better include the sexual assault programming.

Mission: to encourage a safe community, free of physical and sexual violence and emotional abuse, through shelter, caring, advocacy and education.

Vision: to be a catalyst for change and to break the cycle of violence so individuals or families can become healthy, self sufficient and independent.

In 2008 the Community Coordinated Response team responded to the community’s need to improve the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program through Shawano Medical Center. At the time, sexual assault victims had to leave the community to have a forensic medical exam completed. Shawano Medical Center, Safe Haven and the Stockbridge Munsee Tribe joined forces to send six nurses to SANE training. These specially trained nurses are contracted through SMC to perform the SANE exams as needed. Having this program available in the community not only assists victims of sexual assault by allowing them to stay in their own community closer to friends and family and resources; it also saves law enforcement time and money. Unfortunately, this program ended in 2016 because ThedaCare no longer offered this program in its rural hospitals including Shawano, Waupaca and New London. Victims are now referred to Green Bay, Appleton or Wausau and follow-up is completed by the Sexual Assault Advocate.

In 2009 land adjacent to the shelter was donated by Goodwill Industries to Safe Haven. A future project of building a storage building began. A boy scout wishing to earn his Eagle Scout merit cleared the land in 2010 and removed debris, garbage and poison ivy from the property. He worked hard and earned his merit award.

200l, DASC purchased land for the building of a shelter, located at 380 Lakeland Road in Shawano and began the building process.

On February 11, 2002, the Domestic Abuse Support Center of Shawano County Inc opened its doors to victim’s of domestic violence. By 9:00 am that morning, the first family arrived in shelter. 

In 2003, a full-time Sexual Assault Advocate and a part-time Children’s Advocate were hired to provide more direct victim services. Notably, the shelter had a family in residence every night in 2003.  Safe Haven also established an endowment fund in this year through the Shawano Area Community Foundation.a

In 2004, the Board of Directors reviewed the mission of the organization and completed strategic planning to better meet the needs of the victims who seek support. A new mission statement was developed:

To encourage a safe community, free of physical violence and emotional abuse, through shelter, caring, advocacy and education.

The shelter also took a new name to reflect the new services of the sexual assault programming. In May of 2004, the domestic abuse support center was re-named

SAFE HAVEN

In l996, it was necessary for F.A.C.E.S. to move to the Shawano Medical Center due to expansion of the courthouse.  A federal grant provided funds for F.A.C.E.S. to hire an additional employee as a Legal Advocate.

In l997 federal, state and private grants allowed greater outreach and children’s programming. Volunteer involvement remained strong, making it possible to keep the 24-hour crisis line available to the community.  F.A.C.E.S. served 385 clients.

In August of 1998, in order to reflect the mission of the organization, the name was changed to the Domestic Abuse Support Center of Shawano County, Inc. (DASC).  A toll-free number was added to provide easier access to clients in outlying areas. 

In 1999, as community awareness increased, DASC sought community support for their goal of building a shelter and a capital campaign began.  In 2000, DASC received many contributions from churches, businesses and individuals.  With a large contribution from Donna Rae and Larry Klement the vision of a shelter for victims of domestic violence became a reality.  

In 1989, a small group of women formed the organization F.A.C.E.S. (Families, Abuse, Circle of Violence, Encounter of Shawano County) in the basement of Zion Lutheran Church to assist in breaking the cycle of violence in Shawano County. At that time, Shawano County was the only county in the state that did not provide support for victims of domestic violence through counseling services.

The group’s goal was to provide legal, educational and emotional guidance to women, men and children who were involved in abusive situations. F.A.C.E.S.  was an all-volunteer group. The group expanded to include churches, law enforcement, officials and social services.

In l992, they formed a 3 member board and became incorporated on October 27^th  as a nonprofit organization. The board was expanded as demand for services increased. Available services included a 24 hour crisis line, two community safe homes, weekly support groups, public presentations, referrals made to community resources, transportation, and administration of Emergency Food/ Shelter Funds (FEMA).  F.A.C.E.S. helped 25 victims of domestic violence while still being a volunteer organization.

In 1993, office space was rented and a volunteer office assistant operated the program. From September, l991 to October 17, 1993, F.A.C.E.S.  answered 121 crisis line calls. They had two safe houses in which they placed five women and two children. They also placed 17 women and 20 children in emergency shelter in other counties.