ASHLAND — Safe Haven’s shelter provides something far greater than the physical dimensions of the building.
A countywide program through Appleseed Community Mental Health, the program was established in 1997. Nine years later its services expanded to include shelter and related support for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking.
But limitations with the amount of space at the shelter are still something program leaders are constantly navigating.
Rebecca Garcia, Safe Haven program director, spoke with the Ashland County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 17 about the program’s latest initiative to grow its space.
“In Ashland, because we’re rural and we’re small, we have a small place,” Garcia said. “We don’t have a lot of beds. We don’t have a green space, so one of the things we looked at was how could we rectify green space — where kids could come and play?”
Another obstacle presented by the limited space is how the shelter handles animals and pets who victims may want to bring with them to the shelter, she said.
“When they want to flee for safety they’re concerned about their animal, leaving their animal behind,” the director said.
Safe Haven sought state assistance and was successful in securing $230,000 through the work of state legislators, Garcia said. She thanked Sen. Mark Romanchuk and State Rep. Melanie Miller for their support and assistance.
The program was able to purchase an additional parcel of land, located behind Safe Haven, from the city of Ashland, Garcia said.
“That $230,000 will go to an enclosure around that green space for safety purposes and it will be a metal fence so we don’t have to worry about maintenance and don’t have to come back asking for money all the time to help maintain it,” she told the board.
The future green space will also include a patio, capable of accommodating events and support groups. Garcia said Safe Haven plans to seek additional funding down the road to include a playground and space for animals in the green space.
“There’s some other legal issues that we have to jump some hurdles to try and get a bit of a kennel and a space for creatures to come and be on site,” she said.
Safe Haven does currently allow individuals seeking shelter to bring emotional support animals with them, but the program ultimately isn’t equipped yet to accommodate all animals/pets.
The program does make every effort to work with its partners to find temporary spaces for animals it’s unable to house, Garcia said.
The board approved an allocation of $13,000 to Safe Haven during the Sept. 17 meeting. The money — comprised of fees collected in Ashland’s probate court and clerk of courts office — helps support all the agency’s services.
Local first responders equipped with pocket-sized resource guide
Another recent initiative Safe Haven led the charge on was equipping local first responders with a resource guide small enough to fit in their pocket.
“We thought that there was some way we needed to be able to hand out a resource quickly, safely and securely, especially for your first responders,” Garcia told commissioners.
She said the miniature booklet was created through a partnership with the Ashland County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. A grant ACCADA received helped fund the project.
Garcia said the resource guides are now with all first responders throughout the county.
“It’s easily concealed if need be for safety purposes, but it’s a quick resource for people,” she said.
The guide includes QR codes to the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office app and the county’s emergency management system. The list is not exhaustive, she said, but it includes a large number of the most typical resources people may need connected with.
Garcia discusses current state of Safe Haven
Safe Haven is currently at full capacity, Garcia said, meaning all 16 of the shelter’s beds are occupied.
In collaboration with the state and the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, Safe Haven is now participating in a national network known as DVBeds.
“Now we’re part of a national hotline, DVBeds, for any shelters across America to say, ‘We have these beds available,'” Garcia said. “They’re described in there whether or not they’re family beds, single beds, whether or not we have animal space, ADA accessibility, all of those types of things.”
Safe Haven plans events for Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Garcia listed the events Safe Haven has planned, including a new event for 2026.
Safe Haven is collaborating with Candace Ressler, an art therapist at Appleseed, Ashland University and the Ashland County Community Foundation to organize an event for art.
“Sometimes words are not enough to describe it (trauma),” Garcia said. “Sometimes there’s better ways to share with somebody, your experience, and a lot of times that comes through art.”
The free event will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 30 at the Coburn Art Gallery, 331 College Ave., and is open to all.
“It will be slightly guided but anybody can make their own art,” Garcia said.
The third annual Seeds of Hope Art Show will take place Oct. 8 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Opus II Dance Studio,130 E. Main St. There will be dancing included in the exhibit this year as well, Garcia said.
A candlelight vigil for victims of domestic violence who have lost their lives is set for Oct. 6 at Corner Park in Ashland from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
“The candlelight vigil is a place where we spend an hour and a half remembering them, lighting a candle, giving their families a space and time to say they’re never going to forget them, their lives mattered and we talk a little about that,” Garcia said.
Speak Out, an event where survivors can share their stories, reclaim their strength and find healing through connection, is set for Oct. 14, she said. It takes place at the Freer Field Visitor Center, 1301 Park St., from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Domestic Violence Awareness Day also falls on Oct. 14. Folks are encouraged to wear purple as a symbol of support, Garcia said.
The fifth annual Applefest — free and open to the community — will take place Oct. 24 from 1 to 3 p.m. at 2233 Rocky Lane. It will include food trucks, trunk-or-treat, a best-trunk contest, bouncy houses, a photo booth, face painting and games.
