Frontier Health launches campaign to support domestic violence shelter

The Frontier Health Foundation is launching a six-month fundraising campaign to support Safe House, Frontier Health's domestic violence residential shelter program, and help ensure services remain available to survivors across the region. The campaign will begin with a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 30 at the ETSU Brinkley Center. Safe House provides free, confidential shelter and support services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. The program operates two facilities with a combined 28 beds and relies largely on grants, fundraising and community support. During the last fiscal year, Safe House served 395 individuals and filed 127 orders of protection. Services include accompanying sexual assault survivors to area hospitals, helping establish transitional housing, assisting with orders of protection and other legal matters, and providing transportation. "When survivors reach out to Safe House, they are often facing one of the hardest moments of their lives," said Tina Johnson, director of Safe House. "Our community's support allows us to quickly respond with safety, compassion and hope." Luncheon planned Sept. 30Local businesses and corporations can sponsor tables at the Sept. 30 luncheon for $500. Larger sponsorship opportunities also are available and include long-term visibility and recognition through Frontier Health and the Frontier Health Foundation's social media, email newsletters and news releases. Individual tickets are $65. The luncheon will include a meal, survivor stories and a panel discussion focused on creating a safer community. Participants also will learn ways to remain involved and advocate for domestic violence survivors in the region. Johnson said helping survivors rebuild their lives is one of the most rewarding aspects of the program. "It is so rewarding to see survivors become empowered and begin a new life free from violence," she said. The Frontier Health Foundation said donations of any size can make an impact on domestic violence survivors in the Tri-Cities. To sponsor a table, purchase a luncheon ticket or learn more about the campaign, visit frontierhealthfoundation.org. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or an unsafe situation, help is available. To discuss options, call 844-578-SAFE (7233).