Safe Passage

06/16/2026

📢 SHELTER ANNOUNCEMENT -🚨

At approximately way-too-early o’clock this morning, a cat descended from the heavens through our ceiling like he was being sent by corporate. (anyone need a cat?)

Not climbed down.

Not jumped down.

Not politely entered through a door.

This man chose violence.

We aren’t sure exactly why or how this happened but we have some good guesses.

We’re pretty sure he looked at OSHA regulations, building codes, our maintenance requests, and the structural integrity of the building and said, “I have reviewed the evidence and respectfully disagree.”

Honestly, he may have been trying to help. Our phones have been acting up for months. Maybe he heard we put in a maintenance request and thought, “Don’t worry ladies, I’ll handle this myself.”

Then again, he might have seen our ceiling tiles and said, “Absolutely not. The 1970s called and wants its interior design back.”

We’ve also heard rumors of funding cuts. Imagine our surprise when the first thing to leave the budget was apparently THE CEILING.

The cat came through like the Kool-Aid Man.

OOOOOOH YEAHHHHH.

The best part is he looked personally offended when he received an immediate eviction notice so we could assess the damage.
(He’s fed and safe, but the ceiling however remains in critical condition)

Sir, with all due respect, you just entered this room like a WWE wrestler making his entrance at WrestleMania.

You don’t get to look surprised.

At first we thought maybe the building was haunted.

Then we thought maybe a raccoon had gotten in.

Then we thought maybe one of our staff had finally snapped and started living in the attic to avoid answering emails.

But no.

Just a cat conducting what we can only assume was an unauthorized audit.

He checked the ceiling.
He checked the staff.
He checked our emotional wellbeing.
He found deficiencies.
He then left without providing recommendations.

Honestly, he was probably trying to contact us about our car’s extended warranty.

Or reaching out regarding an exciting work-from-home opportunity.

Or informing us that a Nigerian prince urgently needed our assistance.

Or maybe he just heard there was a nonprofit in town and figured nobody there had enough problems yet.

Things happen in shelter that cannot be explained.

We’ve had emergencies.

We’ve had surprises.

We’ve had situations that made us question reality.

But never once have we had a cat parachute into the workplace like an undercover federal agent executing a search warrant.

The cat is fine.

The staff are fine.

The ceiling has entered witness protection.

Please keep it in your thoughts as it navigates this difficult chapter.

06/15/2026

🎉 Happy 3-Year Anniversary, Breanna! 🎉

Today we’re celebrating Breanna and the incredible impact she has made over the past three years at Safe Passage.

As our Legal Advocate, Breanna works tirelessly to support survivors through some of their most challenging moments. Beyond her advocacy work, she is always willing to step up wherever needed—whether that’s assisting with outreach, presenting to community partners, educating others about our mission, or lending a helping hand to staff and clients alike.

Thank you for your dedication!
Ps happy birthday!

06/08/2026

**Update: WE HAVE FOUND TABLE & CHAIRS AND A COUCH.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. We love our community!!!!**

We are currently helping a family get settled into their new home, and we’re looking for a few gently used furniture items to help make their space comfortable and welcoming.

We are seeking:
• A small couch
end tables
small dressers

Items should be clean, in good condition, and from a smoke-free environment if possible.

If you have any of these items available for donation or would like more information, please send us a message so we can coordinate how to move them.

Your generosity helps families rebuild and create a safe place to call home.

Thank you for supporting our community and the families we serve. ❤️

06/05/2026

WE WEAR ORANGE

Today, we honor the memories of Jessica Bowen and Kelsey Bowen , two sisters whose lives were tragically taken by gun violence on November 21, 2015.

Jessica was just 22 years old. Kelsey was only 16.

Their lives mattered. Their stories matter. And their memories deserve to be remembered.

On Gun Violence Awareness Day and every day, we wear orange to honor victims, support survivors, and advocate for safer communities. Every life lost to gun violence leaves behind grieving families, broken hearts, and dreams that will never be fulfilled.

As we remember Jessica and Kelsey, let us also commit to raising awareness, encouraging responsible firearm safety, supporting prevention efforts, and working together to end senseless acts of violence.

Wear Orange.
Remember Their Names.
Honor Their Lives.
Stop Gun Violence.

Jessica Leanne Bowen
November 4, 1993 – November 21, 2015

Kelsey Annette Bowen
March 29, 1999 – November 21, 2015

Forever loved. Forever remembered.

06/03/2026

💜 Board Member Spotlight: Sheriff Andy Boggs 💜

We are proud to recognize Sheriff Andy Boggs, who has served on the Safe Passage Board of Directors since November 2024.

Andy has dedicated more than 20 years to serving and protecting the citizens of Randolph County. After graduating from Higbee High School in 2002, he began his law enforcement career at the Randolph County Jail in 2004 and graduated from the Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI) later that year. Throughout his career, he has served as a Road Deputy, Investigator, Sergeant of Investigations, Corporal, Sergeant, and now Randolph County Sheriff.

Andy was elected Sheriff of Randolph County and took office on January 1, 2025. His experience, leadership, and commitment to victim safety make him an invaluable member of the Safe Passage Board.

When he's not serving the community, Andy enjoys spending time with his wife, Christina, and their two children. Much of their time is spent cheering on their kids at sporting events and school activities. As a family, they enjoy camping, fishing, and making memories together outdoors.

Thank you, Andy, for your dedication to Safe Passage, your service to our community, and your commitment to helping create a safer future for survivors and their families. 💜 Randolph County Sheriff's Office City of Moberly, Missouri Andy Boggs

06/01/2026

💜 We stopped by the Randolph County Courthouse to say hello to some of the wonderful people who serve our community every day!

A special thank you to Mary Jo Colley, Erica Nobles, and Roger Christy for taking a few moments to visit with us and snap a photo.

We are grateful for your partnership, your dedication, and all that you do for the citizens of Randolph County. Thank you for making a difference! 💜

05/29/2026

💜 If you haven’t already done so, please consider contacting the Governor’s office today.

If this funding is not approved, it will have an immediate impact on Safe Passage and the survivors we serve. We are now one of only three domestic violence shelters remaining in the entire northeast region of Missouri, and we are struggling to continue providing shelter, advocacy, and critical services across this large rural area.

Your voice truly matters. A quick phone call, email, or message to the Governor’s office can make a difference when elected officials hear directly from Missouri voters.

Please take a moment out of your day to speak up for survivors and the services that help keep them safe. 💜

URGENT: Governor Mike Kehoe is currently reviewing the FY2027 Missouri State Budget, which includes funding for domestic and sexual violence survivors and service providers.

Before the legislative session ended, the General Assembly restored $1 million in Domestic Violence Shelter & Services (DVSS) funding and included $9 million in Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding in the state budget.

In the last five years, there has been an 87% increase in unmet needs from survivors of domestic violence seeking services. While funding has continued to decrease for many agencies, both the requests for services and the costs to provide those services have increased significantly.

For the past four years, Missouri’s Governors and Legislative Budget Committees have supported the VOCA fund and victim service providers through allocation of state general revenues. These funds preserved services and allowed victims to fully participate in the criminal justice process as they exercise their constitutional rights.

A reduction in funding would mean longer waitlists, reduced overnight and weekday coverage, and delayed responses to survivors in crisis. Reduction in funds would be especially problematic for rural service providers, likely resulting in agency closures.

Here's how you can help: Call Governor Mike Kehoe at (573) 751-3222 and request that he maintain the Domestic Violence Shelter Services (DVSS), Sexual Violence Shelter Services (SVSS), and Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding as approved by the General Assembly. Without this funding, services for survivors will suffer.