According to a press release issue by the City of Kent today, Safe Havens Domestic Violence Visitation Program will have to close its doors at the end of April unless immediate funding is found. Safe Havens opened in 2005 to help keep adult and child victims of domestic violence safe while complying with court-ordered visitation and exchanges.
Initially paid for with federal funding, budget reductions and the elimination of funding sources have created a $100,000 shortfall in the program’s 2010 budget.
“City staff and program allies have been working diligently to develop a long-term sustainability plan for the Safe Havens,” said Katherin Johnson, Kent’s Housing and Human Services Manager, in the April 22 press release.
“However, if emergency funding is not found immediately, we’ll be forced to close doors as early as April 30. Friends and allies of the program are soliciting emergency funding from various foundations and agencies as well as asking for personal donations. Checks have begun to roll in, however, much more is needed and quickly.”
Since the opening of Safe Havens, state and county funding assistance has been an annual request by the City. According to Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke, the softening economy made the need to transition the service very apparent.
“Our annual legislative agenda has included the transitioning of Safe Havens over to a state agency or non-profit organization,” Cooke said in the press release.
“We can’t deny the value of the program, but it is truly regional in its scope. Safe Havens has provided services county-wide and beyond to Snohomish, Pierce and Thurston counties. It should not, and cannot be funded only by the City,” she added.
To help keep the program in place, the City of Kent has established a a fund for accepting donations. Checks can be made payable to City of Kent/Safe Havens and mailed to Safe Havens Visitation Center, 220 4th Ave S, Kent, WA 98032. Donations via credit card can also be made online at http://www.formdesk.com/kccadv/SafeHavens. Donations are tax deductible.
