Oconee Shelter Capital Campaign

The Need for an Oconee Shelter:
The FBI reports domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women (FBI), and it is truly rampant in South Carolina.  Currently, South Carolina ranks 2nd in the nation for the number of women killed by men, and our state has consistently ranked in the top ten since 2000.  Domestic violence accounts for 41.1% of all reported violence in South Carolina, and 28% of murders in South Carolina are domestic violence-related.

According a feasibility study conducted in Oconee County in 2008:

Nearly half (47%) of Oconee County residents know someone in Oconee County that has been a victim of domestic violence within the last year. Over half of those victims (56%) did not get help. 

38% of respondents knew of a child that was living in a household where domestic violence was occurring.

Most victims did not get help because they were too scared to leave or get help (54%) and/or did not know where to get help (41%).

Over half of the respondents indicated that they were likely or very likely to go to a shelter in Oconee County if one were available. Respondents indicated they would be more likely to go to a shelter in Oconee County than in a neighboring county.

Plans and Goals for Oconee County:
The purpose of Safe Harbor’s Oconee County Capital Campaign is to raise funds for a 24/7 emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children in Oconee County. Safe Harbor currently has a contract on a facility in Seneca that will become Safe Harbor’s Oconee Shelter.  Safe Harbor’s fundraising goal is $990,000, which will cover the cost of the shelter facility, as well as three years of operations and program expenses, insuring long-term sustainability for this new shelter in the Oconee community.  The shelter will be staffed with a full-time shelter manager, a full-time shelter counselor, a full-time family advocate and rotating relief staff persons who will work on evenings and weekends to assure that staff is available and on-site 24/7. 

Safe Harbor hopes to meet their $990,000 fundraising goal as soon as possible in order to insure that the Oconee County shelter is opened by 2015. If the goal is met sooner, then Safe Harbor hopes to open the shelter prior to 2015.

In our efforts to provide a continuum of service for victims of domestic violence, Safe Harbor is committed to providing not only emergency shelter and services for victims of domestic violence, but also provide leadership and services for domestic violence prevention, domestic violence direct services and support in the community, as well as efforts to increase awareness and influence change related to reducing domestic violence.

Safe Harbor has commissioned a group of Oconee County business leaders, community leaders and volunteers to serve on the Safe Harbor Oconee County Advisory Committee.  This advisory committee will serve as the local advisory and fund development board for the Safe Harbor projects in Oconee County.

How You Can Help:

***CHALLENGE GIFT - If $100,000 is raised for Safe Harbor's Oconee Shelter Campaign between March 1-September 1, 2013, Mr. & Mrs. Bob & Fran Hanson have pledged to match it with a $100,000 major gift towards the campaign.

Please consider making a financial gift to our Oconee Shelter Capital Campaign. You may give online by clicking on the "Donate Now" button on this page, or send your check via mail:

Safe Harbor Oconee Shelter Capital Campaign
PO Box 174 Greenville, SC 29602

All gifts are tax-deductible.  To learn more about our Capital Campaign and how you can help, please contact: Susan Spitzer, Safe Harbor Director of Development, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 864.385.7181.