News & Events

Safe Shores Fall Dinner - Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010

Safe Shores will present an exciting evening with dinner and live entertainment, 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 23, at The Madison Hotel in Washington, DC. Former Congressman Robert E. (Bud) Cramer (AL) will give the keynote address.

In 1985, Robert E. "Bud" Cramer, then a District Attorney, organized an effort to create a better system to help abused children. His vision and commitment to finding a better way to help child and youth victims of abuse lead to the creation of the child advocacy center (CAC) model.

Special honored guests U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr., DC City Administrator Neil O. Albert and Kim Shellman-Borna, former executive director of Safe Shores will be recognized for their support of Safe Shores and commitment to ending child abuse.

Single tickets are currently available for purchase. Click here for more information or to purchase tickets for the Dinner.

Safe Shores 2010 Back to School Drive, July 1 - Aug. 13

You can help some of DC's most vulnerable children get ready for the new school year! We are currently collecting backpacks and school supplies to be distributed to the child and youth victims of abuse and witnesses to violence served by Safe Shores - The DC Children's Advocacy Center.

Your donation of an age-appropriate backpack filled with items from our wishlist will help make sure that a child starts the new year off with the supplies they need to be successful students. Click here for a list of acceptable items.

Donated items should be brought to Safe Shores - The DC Children’s Advocacy Center between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.

For more information or to arrange a drop-off time, contact Nicole Borrello at 202-645-3208 or via e-mail at nborrello@safeshores.org.

PRESS RELEASE: Safe Shores Recognized At Congressional Club Luncheon Honoring First Lady Michelle Obama, April 2010

Safe Shores is honored to be recognized by the Congressional Club for its work with child and youth victims of abuse and witnesses to violence in D.C. For further details on the luncheon, click here to read the full press release.

EVENT, April 2010: Safe Shores Executive Director Moderates Policy Forum Panel on Child Abuse

Safe Shores Executice Director Michele Booth Cole moderated a policy forum on child abuse at the National Press Club today. The "National and Local Perspectives on Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect" panel was well attended and well received, with participants benefiting from federal and local research and advocacy perspectives "at one table."

Key messages/conclusions from the panel were:

- Support for parents is key;

- Moving from cacaphony to symphony...there is need for greater interagency collaboration;

- It is important to remember that child abuse is a complex issue;

- EVERYONE has a role to play in preventing child abuse.

Panelists included Dr. Roque Gerald (Director, D.C. Child and Family Services Agency), James Hmurovich (President/CEO, Prevent Child Abuse America), Jennifer Ehrle Macomber (Senior Research Associate, The Urban Institute), and Catherine Nolan (Director of the Office of Child Abuse and Neglect, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau).

For further details on the event, click here.

April is Child Abuse Awareness & Prevention Month:

What will YOU do to protect children? This April, Safe Shores is offering a FREE Stewards of Children training on child sexual abuse prevention to the first 100 adult registrants. This revolutionary interactive prevention program was developed by Darkness to Light, a national child sexual abuse prevention organization. Click here for more information about the training curriculum and how to receive your FREE training.

EVENT, April 2010: 4th Annual Penn Quarter on the Block: Cocktail Party and Auction

Safe Shores is honored to be the beneficiary of the 4th Annual Penn Quarter on the Block: Cocktail Party and Auction to be hosted by Weschler's Auctioneers and Appraisers on Thursday, April 22, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Please join us for an evening of cocktails, hors d'ouevres, and silent and live auctions at Weschler's Gallery (909 E Street, NW, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20004). 100% of the money raised will go directly to Safe Shores' Art, Play & Group Therapy Programs.

Reserve your ticket* today (*$30 in advance, $40 at the door). RSVP before April 20th to 202 628 1281 or rsvp@weschlers.com AND simply mail checks, payable to Safe Shores, to: Weschler's Charity Auction, 909 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004. *Pre-advanced ticket packets will be held at Weschler's Will Call table, which will be located on the second floor, on the evening of the event.

Featuring donations from: 701 Restaurant, Alden Shoes, Altman's Parking, Artifactory, Asia Nine Bar & Lounge, Benson Jewelers, Bike & Roll, Cafe Atlantico, The Capital Grille, The Caucus Room, Cedar Restaurant, Cowgirl Creamery, Craig Henson Design, D.C. United, Delectable Cakery, District Chophouse & Brewery, Fado Irish Pub & Restaurant, Fire & Sage Restaurant, Folger Theatre, Friends of Weschler's, Funxion, Gifford's Ice Cream & Candy Co., Gordon Biersch, The Green Turtle, The Hotel Monaco, International Spy Museum, Jaleo, La Tasca Spanish Tapas Bar & Restaurant, Landmark's E Street Cinema, Lia's Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, Marian E. Koshland Science Museum, National Building Museum, National Museum of Crime & Punishment, National Portrait Gallery, Newseum, The Oceaniare Seafood Room, Oyamel, Penn Camera, Penn Quarter Sports Tavern, Peruvian Connection, Paste Moderne Brasserie, Proof, PS 7's, Red Velvet Cupcakery, Renaissance Hotel, RFD Regional Food & Drink, Ristorante Tosca, Rosa Mexicano, Teaism, TenPenh, Warner Theatre, Washington Bach Consort, Washington International Horse Show, Washington DC Triathalon, The Washington Times, Washington Redskins, Warehouse Theater, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Zaytinya, Zipcar, Zola and many more!

EVENT, April 2010: A Touch of Blue - A Networking Event to benefit Safe Shores

Safe Shores is honored to be the beneficiary of A Touch of Blue: A Networking Event hosted by Safe Shores' Board members Cheryl Boyce and Michael Young to kick off Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month this Thursday, April 1, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Please join us at Palette Restaurant and Lounge at The Madison (A Loews Hotel at 15th and M Streets, NW). 100% of the money raised will go directly to Safe Shores. Admission is complimentary. Valet parking available. Bring your business card for door prizes from Oriental Oasis Day Spa and Palette Restaurant.

See you there wearing "A Touch of Blue".

IN THE NEWS, March 2010: Safe Shores' New Home Unveiled

It has been in the plans for years, and finally a dream has come to fruition. Safe Shores - The D.C. Children's Advocacy Center has moved to a much-needed, expanded facility. In this 40,000 square foot child-friendly faciity, Safe Shores will be able to expand the length, depth and breadth of services provided to child victims of abuse and witnesses to violence, and fully realize co-location with its multidisciplinary team partners.

The Washington Post covers Mayor Fenty's ribbon cutting unveiling in this Metro Section brief.

IN THE NEWS, March 2010: A Spotlight Can Help End Child Abuse

As noted in Safe Shores Executive Director Michele Booth Cole's Letter to the Editor in The Washington Post, some influential voices are being heard lately regarding child sexual abuse. Unfortunately, much of the talk misses the mark.

Click here to read the full Letter to the Editor as published.

EVENT: Safe Shores Honored by The Washington Club as Community Service Award Recipient , February 2010

Safe Shores - The D.C. Children's Advocacy Center is honored to be selected as the recipient of The Washington Club's annual Community Service Award this year. The award luncheon took place at the beautiful, historical Washington Club on Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 11:30 a.m.

Click here to view the award luncheon invitation.

Click here to view award luncheon photos.

IN THE NEWS, December 2009: Washingtonian of the Year

In its annual coverage of new Washingtonian of the Year recipients, The Washingtonian magazine featured the work of award recipient and Safe Shores' Executive Director Michele Booth Cole.

Click here to view the article.

IN THE NEWS, December 2009: Reforming Child Welfare

The "Reforming Child Welfare" segment produced and aired on The Kojo Nnamdi Show on WAMU highlights an expert discussion on various aspects of child welfare issues between Safe Shores Executive Director Michele Booth Cole and Urban Institute fellow Olivia Golden, including:

- What happens beyond the headlines?

- How have issues in child welfare been captured accurately (or not) in media and pop culture?

- What changes in approaches to child welfare issues have occurred leading to the current state?

Click here to listen to this timely and engaging discussion.

Safe Shores' Holiday Assistance Drive, December 2008

In 2009, Safe Shores helped make the season brighter for over 150 children by matching its child clients and their siblings with individual and corporate donors from the D.C. community.

Safe Shores Launches Drive to Collect 200 New Backpacks and 200 New Duffel Bags, July/August 2009

Of the over 850 children and youth served annually by Safe Shores, approximately 300 receive foster care/take away bags filled with new clothing, toiletries and transitional items.

Click here for more information on this ongoing collection for Safe Shores' Clothing Closet.

PRESS RELEASE: A Safe Place for the District's Children Gets A New Home

Safe Shores' Board of Directors will host a special hard hat tour of Safe Shores' new home on Thursday, April 30, 2009. After five years of planning, the former Bundy School will become the new home of Safe Shores and D.C.'s Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) on Child Abuse Investigations and Prosecutions. Safe shores is conducting this tour to highlight a successful public-private partnership in fighting child abuse, show the investment in the future of D.C.'s children includes a new, inviting space, and to encourage the general public to do more to protect children from physical and sexual abuse.

Click here to view the full release.

Safe Shores Targets Free Prevention Trainings for 100 D.C. Adults in April 2009

In recognition of Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month this April, Safe Shores is offering a FREE Stewards of Children training on child sexual abuse prevention to the first 100 adult registrants. This revolutionary interactive prevention program was developed by Darkness to Light, a national child sexual abuse prevention organization. Click here for more information about the training curriculum and how to receive your FREE training.

IN THE NEWS, December 2008: Washingtonian features Safe Shores

In the article "64 Ways to Do Good", The Washingtonian magazine featured the good work of Safe Shores in its December 2008 issue.

Safe Shores' Holiday Assistance Drive, December 2008

In 2008, Safe Shores helped make the season brighter for almost 160 children by matching its child clients and their siblings with individual and corporate donors from the D.C. community.

IN THE NEWS, July 2008: Predators Who Can Lurk Anywhere

Click here to read the article "Predators Who Can Lurk Anywhere" by Safe Shores Executive Director Michele Booth Cole published in The Washington Post's Closer To Home section on Sunday, July 13, 2008.

Safe Shores Kicks Off Annual Back To School Drive, July 2008

Each year , Safe Shores collects backpacks and school supplies for distribution to the children it serves. In 2008, over 100 children received Back To School backpacks stuffed with the specific school supplies required for a child's grade. Safe Shores is grateful for the generosity of individual and corporate donors that make the Annual Back To School Drive a success each year.

Safe Shores Releases Fiscal Year 2007 Annual Report, July 2008

Click here to download a copy of Safe Shores' most recent Annual Report.

IN THE NEWS, February 2008: Safe Shores featured on WAMU Metro Connection

It is a rare occasion that Safe Shores can share a first-hand client or caregiver perspective on the impact that the work of Safe Shores and its partner agencies has on a child victim of abuse. In this compelling story on WAMU's Metro Connection, the words of a caregiver brings to life the hope in intervention and the excerpts of a child client's interaction provides a true sense of the child-friendly approach that drives Safe Shores' work.

The interview conducted by Senior Reporter Rosiland Jordan also spotlights Executive Director Michele Booth Cole as a recent recipient of a 2007 Exponent Award from the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation for excellence in nonprofit management.

Click here to access the interview (as available on WAMU's website in Real Audio or Windows Media).

Safe Shores' Holiday Assistance Drive Concludes, December 2007

In 2007, Safe Shores helped make the season brighter for almost 165 children by matching its child clients and their siblings with individual and corporate donors from the D.C. community.

PRESS RELEASE: Safe Shores' Executive Director Selected for Meyer Foundation Leadership Initiative Award, October 2007

To read more, click here for the press release.

Safe Shores Releases Fiscal Year 2005-2006 Annual Report, September 2007

Click here to download a copy of Safe Shores' FY2005-FY2006 Report.

Safe Shores' Back to School Drive Concludes, August 2007

Our 2007 Back to School Drive has concluded and was a huge success! On a daily basis, children are leaving the Center with backpacks filled with supplies and ready to start the new school year. A huge thank you to all who donated supplies, gift cards and monetary donations in support of our child clients!

President of Board of Directors Receives NCA Individual Volunteer Leadership Award, June 2007

Sandra L. Merin, the President of the Board of Directors for Safe Shores, was honored as the 2007 recipient of the Individual Volunteer Leadership Award, presented by the National Children's Alliance at their Annual Awards Luncheon on June 20, 2007. To read more, click here for the press release or visit NCA Online.

Executive Director Receives HHS ACF Commissioner’s Award, April 2007

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced Michele Booth Cole, executive director of Safe Shores, as one of the awardees for the 2007 Commissioner’s Award in Portland, Oregon during their 16th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect.  To read more, click here.

Safe Shores Launches Stewards of Children Training, January 2007

Five Safe Shores staff members have been trained as facilitators in Darkness to Light's Stewards of Children prevention curriculum. Stewards of Children is a comprehensive, evidence-based sexual abuse prevention training program that educates adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Click here for more information about prevention education and training programs.

Safe Shores Seeks Volunteers

Safe Shores is actively recruiting volunteers for our Youth Activity Program and Clothes Closet Program. To learn more about these volunteer opportunities, click here.

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