About Safe Harbor

About Us

We work to save, transform, and rebuild lives.

We support those who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence, sexual violence, or human trafficking.

In all of our programs, we work from a trauma-informed and empowerment-focused lens. We see each survivor as the expert of their own experiences and strive to create a safe and welcoming space for all. Our goals are to help clients understand and address the impact of trauma and build resilience.

Our services are available in both English and Spanish and are available to anyone who has experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, or human trafficking regardless of race, gender, age, national origin, immigration status, gender identity or expression, faith, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, and geographic location. Because survivors are often controlled financially by their abuser and cannot pay for services without fear of retribution, all services are offered free of charge to the survivor.

We offer comprehensive services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking including: individual and group counseling, children/youth services, 24-hour helpline, court advocacy, emergency shelter, hospital accompaniment, and community education and training.

Long term, we are committed to transforming the lives of survivors. By providing shelter, counseling, support, education, and advocacy to survivors, we are helping those who have been impacted by violence and abuse to heal, rebuild, and move forward with their lives.

We were founded in 1998 when representatives of Bon Secours Richmond Health System, Commonwealth Catholic Charities, Henrico County, The Salvation Army, Virginia Commonwealth University Sexual Assault Program, and the YWCA of Richmond met to address the shortage of shelter beds and support services in Henrico County for domestic violence victims. We opened our doors in April 2000 as an emergency shelter to provide safe housing for victims of domestic violence in imminent danger.

While Henrico County is our primary service area, we are proud to collaborate with our community partners to serve the Greater Richmond region.

Safe Harbor Board of Directors:

Angie Dempsey, President – Senior Development Officer, Bon Secours Richmond Health Care Foundation

Stephanie Dixon, Vice President – VP, Human Resources, Grafton

Steve D’Ambrosia, Treasurer – Vice President and Controller, Altria Group, Inc.

Kate Kelley, Secretary – AVP and Associate General Counsel, CarMax

Emily Cherry – Senior Manager, Executive Communications, Carmax

Peter Eisenhauer – Business Director, Capital One

Harold McManus – Community Volunteer

Katelyn Turner – Community Relations Manager, St. Andrew’s School

Ann Yauger – AVP, Product Management, CarMax

Lori Belza – Community Volunteer

Baird Beers, Jr – Senior Director, Associate General Counsel, Capital One

Grace Choi – Chief Compliance Officer and Head of Client Services, Wills Financial Group

Leah Dodge  – President, Decorum Interiors

Daniel Sellergren  – Senior Engineer and Technical Lead, Hopin

Megan Shockley – Realtor, Nestiny Realty

Abby Dickson – Acclaim Care

Claudia Guerrero Barrera – Project: HOMES

Tonya S. Hall – Virginia State University

Aleks Whitchurch – Quanta Credit Services, Inc.

Missy Wycinsky – Truist Bank

 

Staff:

Leadership Team

Cathy Easter
Executive Director
cathy@safeharborshelter.com
804-249-9470 x131

Cindy Robertson, LCSW
Clinical Director
cindy@safeharborshelter.com
804-249-9470 x118

Kailie Smith
Director of Education, Outreach, and Community Engagement
kailie@safeharborshelter.com
804-249-9470 x120

Mary Maupai
Development Director
mary@safeharborshelter.com
804-249-9470 x117

Laureen Mertz
CFO
laureen@safeharborshelter.com

Kat Zarfas
Finance Manager
kat@safeharborshelter.com
804-249-9470 x110

 

Alexandria “Ali” Wall, LPC
Director of Human Trafficking Services
alexandria@safeharborshelter.com
804-249-9470 x141

Katherine Moore
Volunteer & Administrative Manager
katherine@safeharborshelter.com
804-249-9470 x123

Liz Timmons, LCSW
Assistant Clinical Director
liz@safeharborshelter.com
804-249-9470 x113

Jennifer Campbell
Director of Court Advocacy
jennifer@safeharborshelter.com
804-501-7696

Victoria Barahona
Shelter and Community Operations Director
victoria@safeharborshelter.com

 

Counseling Team

Blanca Barrera, LCSW
Bilingual Senior Therapist
blanca@safeharborshelter.com

Selena Hicks, ATR, ITR-CTS
Art Therapist
selena@safeharborshelter.com

Jeremy Winslow, MSW, Supervisee in Social Work
Therapist
jeremy@safeharborshelter.com

Taylor Steffan, MSW, Supervisee in Social Work
Therapist

Anne Lee Dabney, CRC, MS
Resident in Counseling #0704015262
CSAC Supervisee
Therapist
annelee@safeharborshelter.com

Sonja Paviour, MSW, Supervisee in Social Work
Bilingual Therapist
sonja@safeharborshelter.com

Raena Graford, MSW
Therapist

Safe Houses Team

Lily Miller
Case Manager
lily@safeharborshelter.com

Raven White
Case Manager
raven@safeharborshelter.com

Susan McLaughlin
Shelter Coordinator
susan@safeharborshelter.com

Talia Steele
HT Shelter Coordinator
talia@safeharborshelter.com

Erin Barclay
HT Shelter Case Manager
erin@safeharborshelter.com

Court Advocacy Team
Melina Medina
Bilingual Court Advocate
melina@safeharborshelter.com
Outreach and Education

Tyler Wallace
Outreach & Prevention Coordinator
tyler@safeharborshelter.com