Betty Griffin Center

06/14/2026

Thank you to Wayne Fusco Photography for documenting our 6th Annual Betty Griffin Center Thrift Shoppe's Fashion for Action.

We want to thank everyone who came out and made our fun event at Hardage-Giddens St. Johns a success! We appreciate your support and hope you enjoyed the silent auction, wine, and charcuterie.

Thank you to our Emcee, Melanie Lawson, WJXT4 The Local Station / News4JAX Morning Show Anchor, and to our models: Gabriela Moreno, AC Hotel by Marriott St. Augustine; Marcus Davis, Jacksonville Jaguars; Jen Lomberg, Matanzas Riverkeeper; Angelina Eidson, Miss St. Johns County; Diane Jones, Palencia; Melissa Ryan and Julie Ronan, St Augustine Sunrise Rotary; Erica Catalano, Rotary Club of St. Augustine, Sunset, The Junior Service League of St. Augustine, Sons and Daughters of Italy, Saint Augustine, Florida; Jenna Alexander, Jenna Fine Art Studio and Hatch; PJ Gatlin, SouthState Bank; Safura Osmani, 904 With Us; Lisa Nettles, St. Augustine Sailing Sisters - SASS; Hunter Tsag, Volunteer; Kimberly Kalke, St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, InVEST; Nicole Solana and Emma Solana, Betty Griffin Center Board Member and Bayside Preschool; and Kevin Grant, Nolan Hartsell, and Cliff and Roberta Allen; Geneva Presbyterian Church.

Many thanks to our 2026 Ambassadors:

We are grateful to our 2026 Ambassadors: Horschel Family Foundation, Campbell Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors Southeast, Inc., KeHE Cares, Cisco, Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation, SouthState Bank, Ascension St. Vincent’s Jacksonville St. Johns, TruTechnology, Old Coast Pickleball, Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Ray Berger, Atlantic Automotive, Herbie Wiles Insurance, VyStar Credit Union, Main Event (10370 Phillips Hwy, Jacksonville, FL), Volkswagen of St. Augustine, Margie Williams - State Farm Agent, Superior Construction, Walmart Foundation, The Junior Service League of St. Augustine, Cool Foods of North Florida, ThompsonBaker Agency, Inc., CBV Cares Coldwell Banker Vanguard Nocatee, Florida Certified Contractors, LLC, and Playa Chac Mool.

Thanks to our Friends of the Fashion Show, The Presbyterian Women of Geneva Presbyterian Church, Wayne Fusco Photography, and ProShow Disc Jockey Service.

View more images at https://photos.wfpics.org/Special-Events/Betty-Griffin-Center/6th-Annual-Fashion-for-Action-Fundraiser.

06/12/2026

Consent is more than “no means no”—it’s “yes means yes.”

Consent must be freely given, informed, and enthusiastic every single time. It’s not a one-time pass, and it can be taken back at any moment. If someone feels pressured, scared, or unable to say no, that is not consent.

If you are currently experiencing abuse or are a survivor, please reach out to the Betty Griffin Center's 24-hour crisis hotline at (904) 824-1555, or visit our website at https://bettygriffincenter.org by clicking on the blue icon.

06/11/2026

Thank you, everyone, for your support of the Betty Griffin Center!

A recent collaboration between Mama Water and Betty Griffin Center resulted in a donation of 252 bottles of Mama Water to the Betty Griffin Center, helping support survivors that we serve.

Thank you to Mama Water for your generosity and your support of survivors of domestic violence and s*xual assault and their minor children.

Mama Water is an organic, functional hydration drink specifically crafted for motherhood. It is made with coconut water, oat milk, and lactation-supporting herbs to nourish pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding moms.

This drink is light, not overly sweet, and designed to promote hydration and milk production during some of the most demanding times of parenting.

If you are currently experiencing abuse or are a survivor, please reach out to the Betty Griffin Center's 24-hour crisis hotline at (904) 824-1555, or visit our website at https://bettygriffincenter.org by clicking on the blue icon.

06/09/2026

June is PTSD Awareness Month. Learn more about PTSD in this article from DomesticShelters.org.

"One possible side effect of living through trauma is post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. This mental health condition occurs when symptoms from that traumatic event endure far beyond when the trauma has ended. Sometimes, survivors may think they’ve healed and moved on, but months later, experience troubling flashbacks or anxiety that seems to come out of nowhere. These could be signs of PTSD."

If you are currently experiencing abuse or are a survivor, please reach out to the Betty Griffin Center's 24-hour crisis hotline at (904) 824-1555, or visit our website at https://bettygriffincenter.org by clicking on the blue icon.

https://www.domesticshelters.org/articles/health/abuse-survivors-are-you-experiencing-these-symptoms-of-ptsd

A guide to the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.

06/08/2026

Bringing comfort and imagination to our shelter.

Kathy Mignerey from The Book Project of St. Augustine recently delivered children's books to the Betty Griffin Center, enhancing the experience for kids in our shelter. Having new books to read helps make our shelter feel more like home for the children staying with us.

The Book Project of St. Augustine, started by Breton Frazier, relies on volunteers to collect and distribute books to nonprofits throughout the community. We truly appreciate their ongoing support and partnership.

If you are currently experiencing abuse or are a survivor, please reach out to the Betty Griffin Center's 24-hour crisis hotline at (904) 824-1555, or visit our website at https://bettygriffincenter.org by clicking on the blue icon.

06/06/2026

Just a few tickets remain for the 6th Annual Betty Griffin Center Thrift Shoppe's Fashion for Action fundraiser on Thursday, June 11th at Hardage-Giddens St. Johns, located at 1285 St. Johns Parkway.

Make plans to join us for an exciting evening!

The event features unique thrift store finds and a silent auction, with proceeds benefiting the Betty Griffin Center. Sign up today at https://bit.ly/BGCFashionForAction2026.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with the show beginning at 6:00 p.m. Enjoy wine and charcuterie while bidding on silent auction items and exploring our Pop-Up Boutique. Proceeds from the event will support survivors of domestic violence and s*xual assault, as well as their minor children.

A special thank you to Hardage-Giddens St. Johns for graciously providing their venue to host the event.

We would also like to extend our gratitude to our 2026 Ambassadors: Horschel Family Foundation, Campbell Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors Southeast, Inc., KeHE Cares, Cisco, Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation, SouthState Bank, Ascension St. Vincent’s Jacksonville St. Johns, TruTechnology, Old Coast Pickleball, Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Ray Berger, Atlantic Automotive, Herbie Wiles Insurance, VyStar Credit Union, Main Event (10370 Phillips Hwy, Jacksonville, FL), Volkswagen of St. Augustine, Margie Williams - State Farm Agent, Superior Construction, Walmart Foundation, The Junior Service League of St. Augustine, Cool Foods of North Florida, ThompsonBaker Agency, Inc., CBV Cares Coldwell Banker Vanguard Nocatee, Florida Certified Contractors, LLC, and Playa Chac Mool.

Additionally, thank you to our Friends of the Fashion Show, Geneva Presbyterian Church, and Wayne Fusco Photography.

06/05/2026

St. Augustine Sailing Sisters - SASS organized a gently used clothing drive for the Betty Griffin Center during their annual Wendy Thomson Memorial race.

They delivered a very generous donation of clothing for our shelter. We are incredibly grateful for their ongoing support of survivors of domestic violence and s*xual assault, along with their minor children in our community.

If you are currently experiencing abuse or are a survivor, please reach out to the Betty Griffin Center's 24-hour crisis hotline at (904) 824-1555, or visit our website at https://bettygriffincenter.org by clicking on the blue icon.

06/03/2026

Our Development Director, Kenlie Herring, and Executive Director Kelly Franklin were delighted to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Women’s Giving Alliance. We are grateful to The Ponte Vedra Recorder for their coverage of the work being done to support survivors of domestic violence and s*xual assault in our community.

"Women's Giving Alliance held their annual member forum on May 19 at the Florida Blue Conference Center and joyfully celebrated their 25th anniversary. WGA, a collective giving initiative of The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, has made a lasting impact on the lives of women and girls in the area.

WGA President Sabeen Perwaiz opened the forum and spoke about her gratitude for the members, volunteers and board members. Each year, WGA pools their philanthropic giving to award grants that benefit women and girls in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns County.

This year, WGA awarded funds to nonprofits that offer resources and support to survivors of violence and abuse. The rate of domestic violence is higher in Baker, Duval and Putnam counties than in the rest of the state. There is a real need for resources, support and healing.

“Violence against women and girls is not just a women’s issue; it affects families, workplaces, schools and our entire region,” Perwaiz said."

Learn more at www.pontevedrarecorder.com/stories/womens-giving-alliance-celebrates-25-years,178782

05/29/2026

Our models are getting excited for our 6th Annual Betty Griffin Center Thrift Shoppe's Fashion for Action fundraiser on Thursday, June 11th! Make plans to join in on the fun!

The event features unique thrift store finds and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit Betty Griffin Center! Sign up today at https://bit.ly/BGCFashionForAction2026.

Our models are Gabriela Moreno, AC Hotel by Marriott St. Augustine; Marcus Davis, Jacksonville Jaguars; Jen Lomberg, Matanzas Riverkeeper; Angelina Eidson, Miss St. Johns County; Diane Jones, Palencia; Melissa Ryan and Julie Ronan, St Augustine Sunrise Rotary; Erica Catalano, Rotary Club of St. Augustine, Sunset, The Junior Service League of St. Augustine, Sons and Daughters of Italy, Saint Augustine, Florida; Jenna Alexander, Jenna Fine Art Studio and Hatch; PJ Gatlin, SouthState Bank; Safura Osmani, 904 With Us; Lisa Nettles, St. Augustine Sailing Sisters - SASS; Hunter Tsag, Volunteer; Kimberly Kalke, St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, InVEST; Nicole Solana and Emma Solana, Betty Griffin Center Board Member and Bayside Preschool; and Kevin Grant, Nolan Hartsell, Cliff Solana, Roberta Solana, Geneva Presbyterian Church.

The event will be held at Hardage-Giddens St. Johns, 1285 St. Johns Pkwy, and doors open at 5:30 p.m. Bid on silent auction items while enjoying wine and charcuterie.

Fashion for Action starts at 6:00 p.m. Our models are local women, men, and children who are influential in our community. They'll showcase unique finds from our stores to inspire everyone to shop at the Betty Griffin Center Thrift Shoppes and save the lives of the survivors we serve.

Sponsorships are available, and we're seeking silent auction items. Please call Carole Sullivan at (904) 808-8544 x201 to learn more.