For 25 years, Safe Harbor has existed for one simple, powerful reason: survivors deserve safety, dignity, and the freedom to heal on their own terms.
Behind every milestone in our history is a survivor who trusted us in a moment of crisis. Someone who reached out for help. Someone who chose to keep going, even when the path forward felt uncertain. Our anniversary is not just a celebration of longevity. It is a testament to the courage, resilience, and strength of the survivors who have shaped who we are.
A Legacy Rooted in Community and Care
Safe Harbor began in 1998 when Bon Secours, Henrico County, and other key partners came together to address a critical gap: the lack of shelter and support services for survivors of domestic violence in Henrico County. That collective commitment led to the opening of Safe Harbor’s emergency shelter in 2000, providing a safe place for individuals and families in immediate danger.
As survivors shared their needs, Safe Harbor listened and grew.
In the early 2000s, counseling services expanded to include both individual and group support, followed by a Children’s Counseling Program for young people who had witnessed violence at home.
In 2009, Safe Harbor launched its bilingual Court Advocacy Program, ensuring survivors seeking protective orders were not navigating the legal system alone. That same year, partnerships formed to provide 24/7 hospital accompaniment for survivors. This collaboration later became the St. Mary’s Hospital Accompaniment Response Team (SMART).
In 2012, emergency shelter services expanded to include transitional housing, and survivors of human trafficking gained access to dedicated counseling.
By 2016, Safe Harbor opened Central Virginia’s first comprehensive residential program for adult female survivors of sex trafficking.
In 2017, Safe Harbor expanded services through a partnership with Sacred Heart Center, increasing access to Spanish-language counseling and support. That same year, the first Walk to End It, inspired by a client in Safe Harbor’s sex trafficking program, was held. Today, the walk raises more than $80,000 annually to support survivors of human trafficking.
In 2023, Safe Harbor began serving minor victims of sex trafficking statewide by providing court-ordered assessments, case management, and wraparound support.
In 2025, Safe Harbor opened the region’s first shelter for male victims of labor trafficking, meeting a long-standing unmet need.
Why Your Support Matters, Now More Than Ever
Healing happens in the details. It happens in a counseling session where someone feels heard. It happens with art supplies that help a child express what words cannot. It happens through a warm meal, a safe bed, or an advocate sitting beside someone in court.
Every gesture of support sends a powerful message: You matter. We believe you. You are not alone.
Join the Hope Circle
As we honor 25 years of survivor-centered care, we invite you to be part of what comes next.
By joining Safe Harbor’s Hope Circle with a monthly gift, you help ensure survivors can access safety and support not just today, but every day. To celebrate this milestone, the first 250 donors who pledge $25 or more per month will have their gift matched by a generous supporter, doubling your impact.
$25 can help cover the cost of a counseling session for a survivor.
$25 can provide supplies for children staying in our domestic violence shelter.
Every gesture of support sends a powerful message: You matter. We believe you. You are not alone.
Together, we can continue building a community where sexual and domestic violence and human trafficking are not tolerated, and where survivors are always met with compassion, resources, and hope.
Thank you for standing with survivors. Thank you for being part of the next 25 years.
Support our 25th Anniversary by donating at www.SafeHarbor25.com or by purchasing commemorative anniversary merchandise in our Bonfire Store: https://www.bonfire.com/store/safe-harbor/