SafeNet is Erie's only accredited domestic violence agency. SafeNet has been providing services to victims of domestic violence for 40 years and provides these comprehensive services free of charge.
Hospitality House, the precursor to SafeNet, was founded by a group of interfaith women in 1974 as a private non-profit organization with a mission of providing temporary emergency shelter for women and their children in times of crisis.
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Services Offered
A comprehensive list of SafeNet's free and confidential services is listed below.
Emergency Shelter
Hospitality House opened its doors in 1974. It continues to provide confidential, safe, short term emergency housing available 24/7. Of the 500 victims sheltered each year, half are children under the age of 12.
Counseling and Advocacy
SafeNet's core services are counseling and advocacy. A central theme in counseling is safety planning. This involves not just physical safety, but emotional and psychological as well. This service is available at the offices at 1702 French Street, Erie, at local hospitals, schools and public housing. SafeNet also has a 24/7 counseling hotline.
Legal Representation
SafeNet provides attorney representation for Protection from Abuse Orders and other legal issues resulting from the abusive relationship.
Children's Programs
These programs are evidenced-based and incorporating many activities that build self-esteem and broaden a child's network of support. Children are counseled in residential programs and in community based counseling. As domestic violence is a learned behavior, counseling and re-training children is the key to breaking this generational cycle of abuse.
Education and Training
SafeNet provides training to police officers, health care workers, and many others so that our community support system has a better understanding of the challenges and barriers faced by families trying to free themselves from abuse.
Transitional Housing
SafeNet has two established transition housing programs for those who cannot find a home after their short term stay in shelter. The programs focus on self-sufficiency and with an end result of safe affordable permanent housing. Bridge House is for victims of domestic violence and TLC is for young mothers age 16-21.
Fees and Payment
This is a non-profit agency
All services are provided for free.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens Children
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A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.