Our Mission 

Safe Futures’ mission is to save lives, restore hope and change the future for those impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and trafficking in southeastern Connecticut. 

For the last 45 years, we have strived to eliminate violence in our community so that southeastern Connecticut becomes a place where… 

• Violence and abuse are not tolerated 
• All victims and survivors are able to get the support and resources they need to create a new life for themselves 
• All children and teens feel safe, and learn the skills to establish healthy friendships and dating relationships 

 

In the News 

View the latest news articles and mentions of Safe Futures:

• Light the Way Breakfast fundraiser will support victims of domestic violence
• Two locals chart similar paths in law enforcement and victim advocacy
• Domestic violence victims advocates warn about decreased federal funding
• Safe Futures makes this a safer place
• A ‘softer landing’ for victims of domestic violence in Eastern Connecticut

 

 

History at a Glance 

Take a look at where we started, and how far we’ve come in our 45 years of service in southeastern Connecticut! There’s always more work to be done, but we are proud of the services we have been able to provide to victims and their families for the last 45 years. Download the timeline here

 

1976

Safe Futures was originally established as the Women’s Center of Southeastern Connecticut Inc. by eight local women to be an information, referral, and rape crisis hotline for women.

 

1978

Genesis House opened with 15 beds as an emergency shelter for victims.

 

1991

Phoenix House, the first domestic violence transitional living program in Connecticut, opened with nine transitional living apartments.

 

1992

The organization established the “Violence is Preventable” (VIP) school-based community education program.

 

1996

The organization partnered with local courts, law enforcement, and organizations to form a team approach to address domestic violence pre and post-conviction.

 

2004

The organization partnered with the Norwich Police Department as part of Victim Advocate Law Enforcement pilot program.

 

2007

The organization became the first domestic violence agency in Connecticut to develop a permanent supportive housing program that provides intensive case management to chronically homeless families affected by trauma in collaboration with Corporation for Independent Living.

 

2012

The organization changed its name to Safe Futures to better reflect those being served by the agency, and piloted Lethality Program (LAP) with New London, Norwich, Groton Town, and Waterford Police Departments.

 

2016

Safe Futures expands the transitional living program to include scattered-sites. All of New London County police departments, local, state, and tribal now participate in LAP. Safe Futures travels to China representing CCADV as leading experts in Lethality Assessment Program (LAP) and Domestic Violence, sponsored by the Paul Tsai China Center at Yale School of Law.

 

2017

The organization welcomes a new Executive Director with the first orders of business being to allow pets and adopting a therapy dog, Luna, forming the Strangulation Training Team with experts, and celebrating 40th anniversary with a 4K Walk.

 

2018

Safe Futures is recognized as the first domestic violence shelter in Connecticut to accept victims with pets and adopts working cats, Jack and Jill. Safe Futures hosts the first Candlelight Vigil. Safe Futures staff and board member attend their first Family Justice Center Alliance Conference in San Diego.

 

2019

Safe Futures acquires Katie Blair House and Flora O’Neil Apartments, and is generously gifted a property from the Clarke Keenan Family, helping Safe Futures realize the vision of creating a Family Justice Center. The emergency shelter becomes fully handicap accessible with new ramp, kitchen, and first floor bath with walk-in shower.

 

2020

Safe Futures hosts a Family Justice Center Model Strategic Planning Conference, then overcomes the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic with the Annual 4K Walk and a hybrid version of Camp HOPE held virtually. A Regional Law Enforcement Advocate joins Safe Futures team.

 

2021

Safe Futures signs contract on a property for the location of their future family justice center.

 

Future

Safe Futures becomes “The Center for Safe Futures”, implementing the family justice center model of operation.