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As a private, nonprofit agency, the Safety Shelter of St. Johns County, Inc., dba: Betty Griffin House, provides emergency shelter to abused women and their minor children and temporary shelter for rape victims in danger after the crime. Other support services available to shelter residents and nonresidents include a 24-hour crisis hotline, individual and group counseling, case management, civil legal representation, and court advocacy. Betty Griffin House provides all services to men who are abused with separate accommodations.
Background
In July 1990, a group of concerned citizens incorporated as Safety Shelter of St. Johns County, with the goal of eventually opening a shelter for local victims of domestic violence and their children. In 1992, we contracted with a local motel for space and started a 24-hour crisis line and court advocacy. In 1993, we purchased and converted a home for shelter purposes. Betty Griffin House opened it's doors on January 24, 1994. In 1998, we expanded the building to meet the increasing local demand for shelter. That same year, we initiated the Sexual Assault program.
Operations
A Board of Directors comprised of diverse community members provides oversight of shelter functions and outreach services. Dedicated Volunteers log extensive hours of client support services. BGH staff includes: Executive Director, Director of Shelter Services, Case Managers, Children's Coordinator, Shelter Advocates, Adult and Child Therapists, Community Educator, Sexual Assault Program Coordinator and Advocate, Court Advocates, Outreach Specialists, Development Coordinator, Administrative Coordinator, and Administrative Assistant.
Outreach/Education
Confidential individual and group counseling is available in all parts of the county for women, men and children. Our Batterers Intervention Programs offer counseling to male and female abusers either as voluntary participants or as referrals from public and private service providers. We conduct regular domestic and sexual violence trainings throughout the county, as well as age-appropriate violence prevention trainings in the schools.
Since domestic and sexual violence is a learned behavior, BGH hopes that awareness of and access to such services and outreach activities will help end the cycles of violence, which can otherwise repeat for many generations.
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