This story originally appeared in The Centre County Gazette.
Centre Safe has launched another year of its annual holiday campaign with the goal of raising $50,000 for victims and survivors across the county. The funds allow Centre Safe to provide resources and services for clients to feel safe during their journey.
“As we prepare for our 50th anniversary, we are asking our amazing community supporters to help us thrive in 2025,” Jennifer Pancek, the executive director at Centre Safe, said. “On average, we support 900 victims of domestic and dating violence and 200 survivors of sexual assault, along with approximately 200 adults and children needing shelter/housing. Those working at Centre Safe feel called to this line of work, and we are incredibly thankful for supporters who help give us the tools to help so many in our communities across Centre County.”
Contributions to the annual holiday campaign directly support Centre Safe’s clients and services. Some of the tools available thanks to donors include:
• $10,000: 10 families with assistance to relocate safe housing
• $5,000: 100 hours of legal assistance
• $2,500: 32 monthly bus passes to provide transportation to job interviews, medical appointments and employment
• $1,000: 20 safe custody exchanges
• $500: Textbooks for clients completing degrees/training
• $250: Food, toiletries and other necessities for families escaping domestic violence
• $25: Books for children living in the Sylvia Stein Shelter
“I doubted and questioned every decision I was making,” a Centre Safe client remarked in a statement. “Centre Safe’s reassurance and legal advice helped me understand what we were going through was not okay. This clarity offered such hope for me and my family, I will be forever thankful for the new chapter in my life.”
Formerly known as the Centre County Women’s Resource Center, Centre Safe has been a crucial part of the Centre County community since 1975. Since then, it has grown to three different locations with staff offering professional, free and confidential services such as counseling, emergency shelter, legal support, education, outreach, advocacy and safe custody exchanges/supervised visits.
To donate to Centre Safe’s holiday campaign, visit centresafe.org and go to “get involved.” Participants can also make a donation by mailing a check to Centre Safe at 140 W. Nittany Ave., State College, and writing “holiday campaign” on the memo line.
