Mission Statement

Safe Harbor was established as a domestic abuse program in September of 1990.  It began with two staff members working in a two-bedroom home which housed the shelter and administrative offices.  In April, 1991 Safe Harbor was granted tax exempt status as a qualified 501(c)3 charity.

In May, 1996 we renovated a new shelter facility which housed residential living space, an indoor play area for children, and office and counseling space.  In October of 2000 our administrative team moved to an off-site facility provided by St. Nicholas Hospital so that space at the shelter facility would better meet the needs of the people we serve.

As our services continued to expand in response to community need, we began to look for another location in the city of Sheboygan which would allow us to have all of our employees under one roof.  In 2008 we identified a former 8-unit apartment building owned by RCS as a great fit.  We purchased it, and spent the next 9 months renovating it to meet our needs.  Today our abuse shelter and offices for our program staff and administration is at 929 Niagara Avenue.  The fact that we disclose our location, and have a sign on the corner, is another big change.

Our shelter facility has 18 beds.  Our facility is the only domestic violence shelter in the county.  Women and their minor children who stay at the shelter are provided with room and board as well as personal needs.  We also serve men; however they do not stay at our shelter facility.  In 2009 we served 389 households.

In addition to the crisis line and shelter we offer:  abuse assessments, crisis counseling, assistance obtaining restraining orders, legal referrals, court accompaniment, support groups, advocacy, emergency transportation, financial assistance, child care, and information and referral services. 

All services are available, at no cost, to anyone who is a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault.  A person is not required to come to the shelter in order to receive assistance.

Safe Harbor operates with significant support from St. Nicholas Hospital and grants from the State of Wisconsin.  This support covers less than 50% of our total annual operating budget.  Because of our limited resources, we rely on donations from community foundations, groups, organizations and individuals.  We need financial support as well as donations of goods and services in order to meet the needs of those who turn to us for help and for hope.