SafeSpace celebrates 40 years of saving, changing lives
By: Tiffany Smith, Special to TCPalm
More than 150 SafeSpace supporters gathered in their best purple cocktail attire for a festive event to celebrate the organization’s 40th birthday.
This milestone celebration on Oct. 19 at Treasure Coast Lexus in Fort Pierce raised over $110,000 to support SafeSpace’s mission to save and change the lives of victims and children of domestic violence.
Guests from all three Treasure Coast counties enjoyed a magical evening of entertainment, fundraising and fun, including the opportunity to show their support by purchasing items from the pop-up SafeSpace Thrift Shoppe.
For more than four decades, SafeSpace has served as the only certified domestic violence center on the Treasure Coast. Since its inception in 1979, the organization has provided nearly half a million safe nights of shelter to more than 40,000 victims and children.
SafeSpace empowers victims to become survivors through an extensive provision of programs and services, including safe emergency shelter, transitional housing, a 24/7 crisis hotline, legal assistance, prevention, financial literacy training, counseling/advocacy, housing assistance, and community outreach.
“Our programs and services have been the result of the community coming together to help victims of domestic violence survive and thrive,” said Terri Hamrick, SafeSpace CEO. “It has been a wonderful community legacy, and we’re excited to continue our impact for the next 40 years and beyond.”
Event chair Emmelis Keaney and committee members Carol Myers, Joyce Page and Nancy Wong, were a small but mighty group that made sure every detail was considered to ensure SafeSpace’s 40th Birthday Bash event was a big success.
Sponsors and partners for the event included: Presenting Sponsor Joe and Margaret Richebourg Temple, Lichtenberger Foundation, Coleman Family Foundation, Bob and Carmen Stork, Wong Family Foundation, Keaney Financial Services Corp., Terri Hamrick, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Shaun Kelly Feinsinger & Paul J. Feinsinger CPA, Audi Stuart, Patricia Stewart, Joan and Reed Smith, Law Office of Jason D. Berger PA, Joyce and Stephen Page, Carol and Bob Myers, Janie and Jimmie Tighe, Jill and Fred Borowicz, Albert M. Covelli Foundation, Walmart Stores #5704 and #7299, Dick and Molly Hoffman, Vero Beach Endontics, Holy Cross Catholic Church, Tom Bakkedahl, Mickey Hernandez and Cindy Dolan, John and Cynthia Kucyk, William Becker, Richard Boga and Gregory Burke FAIA,NCARB.
About SafeSpace
SafeSpace is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that operates programs in Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie counties offering victims of domestic violence safety, support and education, and empowering them to create an independent life free from violence. Emergency shelter and supportive living programs, 24/7 crisis hotlines, and extensive outreach/advocacy services are available for victims throughout the Treasure Coast. SafeSpace offers services to all victims of domestic violence and their dependents regardless of race, gender, age, religion, political belief, national origin, immigration status, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation or language spoken. To learn more about SafeSpace, visit www.safespacefl.org, call 772-223-2399 or connect with SafeSpace on Facebook at www.facebook.com/safespacefl.