MT. GRAHAM SAFE HOUSE
Safford, Arizona
Mt. Graham Safe House, Inc. was organized in July 1995 and opened for service in December 1995. The Safe House Program was organized to provide victims of domestic violence short-term emergency housing and community outreach services. The Safe House provides crisis intervention, assessment, advocacy and referral, conducted in a safe, secure and confidential environment. Primary service area includes Graham and Greenlee counties and a portion of the San Carlos Apache Reservation.
The Safe House is a 2400 square foot, five bedroom, two bath residence with a sitting room, dining/play room and a laundry. It is surrounded by an 8 foot cinderblock wall with sensor alarms. The facility has room for 20 persons. Additionally, there is an office and an employee restroom.
Added to the shelter are the transitional housing apartments, a 2836 square foot facility. Construction began in December 1999 and was completed on October 2000. This component of the Mt. Graham Safe House is comprised of four one-bedroom apartments, allowing women who have completed the residential program to stay rent free for up to three months. This gives victims time to adjust to their new life-style, allowing them ample time to secure jobs and homes.
To be admitted into the Safe House a woman must be over 18 or in an emancipated situation and a victim of domestic violence. She must want and need assistance. Women who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol must be sober before admittance into the residence.
The MGSH has 24-hour advocate services in both Graham and Greenlee counties, as well as on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation.These advocates assist the residents and non-residents by providing safe escort/advocacy through the medical, legal, social services and other systems that the women may need to utilize in able to get their lives in order. MGSH advocates also assist in preparing paperwork for Orders of Protection, Victim Compensation Program and other applications needed to gain assistance from social services.A woman does not need to be a resident of the shelter to obtain advocate services from MGSH. Any woman over 18 in a domestic violence relationship who has a safe place to stay, but needs assistance with planning, safe escort and advocacy through the social services, legal and other systems, qualifies as well.
MGSH provides Emergency Room/Health Care Clinic Advocacy on a 24-hour "on call" basis for the local hospital and health care clinics. The advocates provide information and options for the victim, fresh clothing to leave the emergency room and escort to the Safe House if she chooses. Advocates can also phone supportive parties if the victim chooses to go elsewhere for safety. The advocate can facilitate the victim's emergency room experience and law enforcement involvement when needed so that it is as stress-free as possible.
In the shelter, MGSH facilitates a self-help group for women in abusive relationships and those who have survived a domestic violence relationship. Parenting classes are also offered. Daily child interaction is conducted by staff (twice a day on the weekends). A children's domestic violence program has been incorporated into the children's program.
MGSH also provides a prevention education program. Part of this component furnishes speakers for organizations upon request. The second part of the prevention program is a teen Dating Violence/ Sexual Assault Prevention Program. It is available to the schools in Graham and Greenlee counties, the San Carlos reservation, as well as Eastern Arizona College. The MGSH Prevention Specialist and youth peer educators present a program on dating relationships and sexual assault. This includes topics such as boundaries, personal rights, consent, and healthy relationship, as well as others. Information and resources are provided to the participants.
The Mt. Graham Safe House is supported by grants, private donations and tremendous community support. Many of the donations have given families a new start with clothing and household furnishings. MGSH has been and continues to be the shelter from many storms.