I Am A Safe Place

05/30/2026

Yesterday, the Senate once again passed the Lethality Assessment bill. Now, the Assembly must pass it — and the Governor must sign it. New Yorkers cannot afford to wait on a tool we know will save lives.

Here in Dutchess County, we’ve seen firsthand how effective lethality assessments can be in reducing domestic violence homicides. That’s why we’ve continued fighting to bring this tool statewide alongside our advocates, law enforcement partners, and support service organizations who know the impact it can make.

The program works because it does more than ask questions. It helps victims recognize the severity of their situation, often providing a life-changing moment of clarity. It creates an immediate connection to advocates and support services when victims need it most. And it strengthens coordination between law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, and service providers so everyone has a clearer understanding of the risk and how to respond.

This tool will save lives — and the data makes that clear.

Our friends at the Cornell University State Policy Advocacy Clinic, who have been incredible partners in this effort, created an interactive map showing the number of domestic violence victims across every county in New York. Every number represents a person, a family, and a life that deserves protection.

View the map here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ef4d69484a014ad5b4ae5198c1f483bd

05/30/2026

The last thing a woman escaping violence or a homeless family in crisis needs is to find a registered s*x offender in the next bed.

We introduced the Safe Shelters for Survivors Act of 2026, legislation to prohibit individuals required to register on the National S*x Offender Registry under federal law from entering or receiving services at federally funded domestic violence and homeless shelters.

Any shelter which fails to comply would be ineligible to receive federal funds during the following fiscal year.

These federally funded shelters house our most vulnerable, and there is zero reason taxpayer dollars should ever fund a shelter housing a predator. Our bill makes sure it never does.

05/29/2026

I Am A Safe Place would like to thank Mo Unforsaken Women Corp. Unforsaken Treasures Resale Shop for the incredible donation of UNFORSAKEN -A walk with Joshua into your promised land
Group Bible study leadership kit Containing:
1 Leader's Guide
9 Student Books
Access to Video Teachings

Thank you Mo! 🙏🏼💜⚓️🌻📖
UNFORSAKEN A walk with Joshua into your promised land 💜🌱

05/29/2026

Don’t forget how beneficial forgiveness is for YOU. By intentionally letting go of resentment and anger, you make way for less depression, anxiety and hostility. Focus on what’s positive in the present 💚
-Coach Stephanie with Hope Heal Health

05/29/2026

Over 5 domestic violence calls in the past 2 days. 😩🙏🏼⚓️
We have a partnership with a hotel.
If you feel led to donate to help us place survivors in hotel, please click link.

A Safe, Empowering, Supportive Non Profit Organization for Survivors of Domestic Violence.

05/29/2026

💜 Thank You, Wellness First at East Ridge High School 💜

We are incredibly grateful to Wellness First, the student club at East Ridge High School, for your generous donation and for choosing to continue supporting I AM A SAFE PLACE for another year.💜

Your compassion, leadership, and commitment to wellness and commUNITY are helping make a real difference in the lives of survivors and families facing crisis. It is inspiring to see young leaders using their voices, hearts, and actions to create awareness, encourage kindness, and support healing within the community.

Because of your support, we can continue providing:
• Survivor advocacy and support
• Emergency assistance and resource navigation
• Domestic violence awareness and prevention education
• Healing-centered programs and commUNITY outreach

Thank you for standing with survivors and helping create a safer, more compassionate commUNITY for all. Your partnership means so much to us, and we are honored to continue working alongside such an amazing group of students and leaders. 💜

“Emotional health is wellness” With gratitude, Julia D’Arts &
I Am A Safe Place⚓️
🌿 “CommUNITY matters.”
🌐 www.iamasafeplace.com

05/28/2026

May is National homeless Awareness Month💜 Every day, we receive calls from survivors and families facing impossible situations.

“No room in shelters.”
“No safe place to go.”
“No resources left.”

Just as Mary and Joseph once heard, “There was no room in the inn,” many in our commUNITY today are still searching for safety, shelter, hope, and compassion.

At I AM A SAFE PLACE, we continue working to bridge gaps for survivors of domestic violence, homelessness, trauma, and crisis through advocacy, emergency assistance, outreach, holistic healing, and commUNITY support.

🌿 Your donation helps provide:
• Emergency hotel placements
• Safety planning and advocacy
• Transportation and basic needs
• Housing stabilization support
• Healing and empowerment programs
• Survivor resource coordination
• Hope during moments of crisis

Sometimes healing begins simply because someone chose to make room.

✨ Compassion creates commUNITY.
✨ CommUNITY creates change.

If you feel led to support our mission, please consider donating, partnering, volunteering, or sharing our work with others. Every act of kindness helps us continue creating safe spaces for those who need them most.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” — Matthew 25:40 💜

Donate & Learn More:
www.iamasafeplace.com

⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

✍️Where DV Survivors Fit In Housing

Survivors don’t fit into just one category—
they may need:

* Emergency housing → immediately
* Transitional housing → short-term recovery
* Permanent housing → long-term safety

✍️💡 Key Truth:

Survivors are not a “category”—they are a priority population across all housing levels

🔑 Core Barriers for ALL in housing crisis

* Affordability (rent + deposits)
* Credit and eviction history
* Lack of documentation
* Transportation gaps
* Limited inventory
* System delays

✍️For DV survivors, add:↙️

* Safety risks
* Abuser interference
* Confidentiality needs

💜 What a True “Housing for All” System Requires

1. Flexible Funding

* Hotels
* Deposits
* Utility assistance
* Emergency cash

2. Trauma-Informed Policies
* Do not penalize survivors for:
* Evictions tied to abuse
* Police calls
* Survivor-centered screening

3. Cross-Sector Collaboration

* Nonprofits (like IAASP)
* Churches
* Landlords
* Legal professionals
* Mental health providers

“At I AM A SAFE PLACE, we believe housing is not just shelter—it is safety, dignity, and the foundation for healing. A true ‘housing for all’ model must include immediate, flexible, and trauma-informed solutions for survivors of domestic violence and individuals in crisis. We serve as the bridge between emergency and stability when traditional systems fall short.”
I Am A Safe Place ⚓️
www.iamasafeplace.com

05/28/2026

May is . 🏠 For domestic violence survivors, having access to safe, affordable housing can save their lives.

Unfortunately, a lack of housing options across the country means that survivors are often faced with impossible choices between abuse and homelessness.

Federal funding supports housing for survivors, but ongoing delays to this funding put survivors in danger. Take action NOW and tell Congress to address these dangerous funding delays: https://buff.ly/OyFNQiN

[Image description: A blue-toned image of small cardboard houses on a wooden surface. Above, white text reads: "Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness." NNEDV logo below text. The NNEDV logo consists of 66 small house shapes arranged in a large house shape, and text reading: "NNEDV National Network to End Domestic Violence."]

05/28/2026

Thank You LongHorn Steakhouse Clermont

Today we had the honor of sharing lunch with the team at LongHorn Steakhouse and presenting them with a Certificate of Appreciation for their support of our BAGSTOBEDS project through I Am A Safe Place and help
Of GFWC South Lake Junior Woman's Club and Edge UMC - Groveland FL

LongHorn generously donated boxes of plastic bags that will be transformed into sleeping mats for individuals experiencing homelessness — including survivors of domestic violence seeking safety and stability.

According to HUD, individuals fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence are considered homeless. Many survivors face impossible choices while trying to escape abuse, and simple acts of kindness can become part of someone’s healing journey.

Thank you, LongHorn, for standing with our commUNITY and supporting compassionate solutions that bring comfort, dignity, and hope.

LongHorn Steakhouse is a safe place.
Unity in commUNITY. ⚓❤️

✍️📣BAGS TO BEDS will be taking a summer break and will resume back to schedule August 13.
Please follow us on Facebook and visit our events page at www.iamasafeplace.com for upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and ways to support our mission.

05/27/2026

Today’s

Finding balance doesn’t mean equal time in every area, but rather aligning your priorities with your values and adjusting as needed 💜
-Coach Stephanie with Hope Heal Health