SAFE Homes History
SAFE Homes-Rape Crisis Coalition was established in July 1994 by the successful merger of Spartanburg County SAFE Homes Network and the the Council on Sexual Assault (COSA). Both organizations were established and chartered by grassroots volunteers.
The initial transitional period for our new agency was aimed at an orderly consolidation of staff and programs, while at the same time maintaining
an optimum level of both domestic violence and sexual assault services. The union of the two sister agencies has proven to be a benefit to the
victims we serve, as well as a sound financial decision. Many of our clients have been victims of both domestic violence and sexual assault.
As a combined program, we are better able to address their concerns and ensure that appropriate services are received.
In October 2009, due to the generosity of our many funders and community partners, we were able to move into our newly renovated shelter with increased bed space. The shelter we had long inhabited was over 100 years old, and was neither child friendly nor easily handicapped accessible. The one-story building that was purchased was in a better location with modern facilities and immediately began a capital campaign.
In June 2005, SAFE Homes – Rape Crisis Coalition opened the first multi-disciplinary center in South Carolina, “Mary’s House”, with the help of community law enforcement, prosecution, child protective services, and mental health agencies. One of the most promising practices for communities is for all those working with family violence and sexual assault to come together in a multi-disciplinary response that prioritizes victim safety and offender accountability, and makes the search for help less burdensome for victims by bringing service providers together under one roof. This approach has been successfully implemented in other areas, and has dramatically decreased violence in the community.
Our Mission
Providing services to victims of domestic violence in Spartanburg, Cherokee and Union Counties and victims of sexual assault in Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties.
Our mission is to use our collective voice to address the impact of domestic and sexual violence by providing quality services to those affected and to create social change through education, training, and activism.
Our Vision
We envision a community liberated from all forms of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Our Core Values
In 2020, our agency adopted five values that embody what we strive to represent as an agency. Our staff, board, and volunteers work everyday to make sure that our values are reflected in all of our individual and collective efforts to carry out the mission and vision of SAFE Homes-Rape Crisis Coalition. These values guide all of our agency’s actions. They are considered in every decision we make, and when we fall short, we lean on these values to help us correct what went wrong.
These values provide the underpinning to help us liberate our community from all forms of domestic violence and sexual assault.
SAFE Homes - Rape Crisis Coalition
President/CEO
Jada B. Charley
Attorney
Krystal Smith
Director of Advocacy Services
Angela Perez
Domestic Violence Services Coordinator
Brandi Douglas
Sexual Assault Services Coordinator
Kendall Karpik
Victim Advocates
Kelci Claycomb
Victoria Daiz
Kathy Littlejohn
Lida Sharifi
Director of
Clinical Services
Elizabeth Pratt
Adult Clinical Services Coordinator
Tiffany Beeks
Child / Adolescent Clinical Services Coordinator
Marlene Evans
Clinician
Rickia Jessup
Underserved Communities Clinician
Jennifer Vasquez
Director of
Community Services
Morgan Reece
Community Health Advocate
Jozlyn Phillips
Thrift Store Associate
Brianna Pennell
Thrift Store Manager
Angela Bernardo
Volunteer Coordinator
Janice Tuck
Director of Finance and Administration
Laurel Greene
Administrative Assistant
Simone Laurent
Finance Assistant
Maria Small
Grants Coordinator
Karen Martin-Wilkins
Philanthropy / Special Projects Coordinator
Jennifer O’Shields
Resource Coordinator
Bobby Culbreth
Director of Residential Services
Tonya Brannon
Shelter Advocates
Alexis Barton
Lois Dukes
Stephanie Gregory
Amanda Griswold
Taylor Malone
Lucero Meza
Carolyn Oglesby
Shelter Specialist
Caroline Lo
Transitional Housing Specialist
Rebekah Thao
SAFE Homes - Rape Crisis Coalition
Board of Directors
Officers
Chair – Ginger Davis
Vice-Chair – Monique Bullock
Secretary – Evelyn Gilliam
Treasurer – Elizabeth Martin
Board
Walker Barnes
Amy Cox
Leslie Fisk
Anje Hawkins
Kim Land
Charlene McKanic
Karen Rhodes
Sherrie Suber
Advisory Board
Charles Bebko
David Bedford
Christina Calitri
Stephen Ferguson
John Gramling, III
David Gravermoen
Nancy Holmes
Lynn Jordan
Ashley Kemp
Francie Little
Mary Beth Lyles
Judy Martin
Carol Moore
Steven Querin
Roxanne Reynolds
Dave Roberts
Kimberly Toler
Tammy Whaley
Funding
SAFE Homes-Rape Crisis Coalition program of services is supported through a variety of means including the application and receipt of grants, revenue from our thrift store and therapy program, fund raising events, and individual and corporate donations.
Contributions
- Cash Contributions
- Counseling Revenue
- Designated Donors
- Special Events
- Thrift Store
