Our Story
Mitchell County SafePlace was incorporated in 1995 through the efforts of a group of Mitchell County citizens who determined the need for a place for domestic violence survivors to get help. The concerned citizens placed an advertisement in the local newspaper to rally community support and formed a board of directors composed of passionate individuals committed to the cause.
Initially, SafePlace operated out of a modest room located above the jail in Bakersville, NC. This temporary shelter was established through a cooperative partnership involving the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners and the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Department. SafePlace became the first resource within Mitchell County designed specifically to meet the needs faced by survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
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On August 1, 1996, Mitchell County SafePlace officially opened a shelter with the capacity to accommodate 10 to 12 clients at a time in Spruce Pine, NC. The funding required to purchase and renovate the shelter was made possible through the North Carolina Department of Human Resources, the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, and the Twin Oaks Foundation. The director was the sole paid staff member, reflecting the crucial role volunteers played in advocacy and support services. From May 1995 to April 1996, Mitchell County SafePlace provided advocacy and support services to 37 clients and 53 children. Volunteers attended 28 court hearings on behalf of these individuals and dedicated a remarkable 1,300 volunteer hours.
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In 2021, a major development occurred when the local hospital generously donated a larger building, which had previously served as a medical clinic, to SafePlace. This new facility, located in Spruce Pine, NC, presented an opportunity for expansion and improved services. The former medical offices, file room, and exam rooms underwent extensive renovations to be transformed into advocate offices, a food pantry, and client bedrooms, creating a more welcoming and functional atmosphere for those seeking help. To ensure the safety and privacy of clients, fencing and advanced security systems were installed around the new shelter. This substantial project was fully funded through grants from the AMY Wellness Foundation and Dogwood Health Trust. Furthermore, a vacant building was acquired to serve as the administrative offices.
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SafePlace was, and still is, funded through donations by local individuals, churches, and civic organizations, thrift store profits, and state and federal grants. Thanks to this funding, SafePlace is able to provide extensive services to the community. These services include: emergency shelter, advocacy, resource connection, support groups, and more, tailored to meet each client's unique needs. We also work with our local community to provide prevention education and bring awareness to our mission: helping eliminate domestic violence and sexual abuse through education, advocacy, and crisis services.