Susan Thweatt Named 2012 Beacon of Hope

October 25, 2012

For media inquiries, contact Angela Verdery(angelav@safeharborshelter.com).

Susan Thweatt

Safe Harbor has named Susan Thweatt the honoree for the 2012 Beacon of Hope Award. Ms. Thweatt is a long-standing volunteer with the agency serving in the emergency and transitional housing programs, on the organization’s Board of Directors, on fundraising teams, and, most recently, as the chief designer and decorator for the agency’s transitional houses.

Susan’s dedication to survivors enabled us to open two transitional living spaces in the past year. These are invaluable to survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Her hard work and creativity is evident throughout both houses. We are so grateful to Susan. Kathleen Demro, Executive Director

The agency will also be honoring Mr. George Drumwright, one of Safe Harbor’s founding Board members, for his service to the agency and this issue at the 2012 Beacon of Hope ceremony. The ceremony will be held at Lakeside United Methodist Church on Tuesday, October 30.

The Beacon of Hope was created in 2007 to recognize an outstanding individual or agency in the Henrico community that has been instrumental in empowering survivors of sexual and domestic violence and/or promoting healthy relationships for all. Previous award winners include:

  • 2007—Dr. Joe Niamtu
  • 2008—Bon Secours Health Systems
  • 2009—Mrs. Sheryl Robins Nolt
  • 2010—Deborah Downing
  • 2011 — Mrs. Lora A. Robins

The Beacon of Hope reception will be held at Lakeside United Methodist Church. Car Pool is the Gold Sponsor. Q Barbeque is providing the catering.

If your news organization is interested in interviewing Ms. Thweatt or a Safe Harbor representative, please contact Angela Verdery at angelav@safeharborshelter.com.

About Safe Harbor

Safe Harbor’s empowers survivors of sexual and domestic violence to transform their lives, and promotes healthy relationships for all. The agency was born through the efforts of a St. Mary’s Hospital emergency room nurse who was devastated by the number of domestic abuse victims she treated. As a result, Safe Harbor opened in April 2000. It has grown from an emergency shelter to offering additional critical supportive services including a 24-hour confidential helpline (804-287-7877), community counseling programs for adults and children, community support groups in English and Spanish, court advocacy, hospital accompaniment and community education and outreach services.  For more information, log on to www.safeharborshelter.com or www.facebook.com/SafeHarborRVA.