Testimonials

It takes time and effort to earn a child’s trust and confidence. Change is not easy for them, so we try to build a relationship by anticipating their needs and being a good listener.

When the children are in our care, their mothers rely on us for guidance and safety.

Today our childcare support group is more structured and productive. We hold everyone to the creed of non-violence and respect for all.

My past years as a volunteer at Safe Harbor have been very rewarding, and I recommend it to anyone who loves children.

Sometimes after finding safety, victims gain strength and find support by renewing their faith or re-establishing ties with family members or friends from whom they’ve been isolated by their abuse.

From a child...

I needed a safe shelter because my dad is a terrible, bad, man. He is a wife abouser and a child abouser. And I needed a hidding place so he would not kill us, and we picked a nice runned shelter that could keep us safe and give us and help us go to court and help us with our bad, terrible situation. So I would just like to say that without Safe Harbor in Sheboygan, WI, I would probley not be alive today.

Safe Harbor was exactly what I needed at the time I was attempting to leave a very bad situation.

My children (3 boys) were welcomed unconditionally into the safety of a warm, clean environment called Safe Harbor. We received food, clothing (if needed), a clean place to sleep and regular support groups that helped me tremendously.

The staff at Safe Harbor was very interested in helping in whatever way they could. By lending a caring ear or helping with important information needed to make decisions.

My stay at Safe Harbor helped my children and I grow and become strong enough to keep taking steps to finally break clean and free from the abuse and neglect that we had suffered from for so long.

While I stayed at Safe Harbor I learned a lot of things like how to solve problems without violence and arguing like to talk it out or ignore the situation. I think Safe Harbor helped me to develop a better and non-violent life. The groups made a difference in my life to make better decisions.

Safe Harbor helped my family come closer. Now I think we do more things as a family and understand each other more because Safe Harbor helps families who need help with all problems like fighting and arguing and to talk it out and like a family being in the same house. Not going a lot of places made us come together because you had to have love and put up with it. Like a family.

When I came to Sheboygan in October of 1991 with my boys, I had no idea where we were going or what was going to happen to us. Safe Harbor was there with a helping hand -- not just for protection, but for support and guidance. I know that if Safe Harbor had not been there to help my family and me that I would not be here. I want to thank all the people who have worked or volunteered to help Safe Harbor host and help all the people it has.

I will be forever grateful to the people who made Safe Harbor a reality. Because Safe Harbor was there, my children no longer need to live in a home where there is constant screaming and yelling. They do not have to witness chairs and dishes being thrown around the house. They can feel peaceful and safe in their home now.

If it was not for Safe Harbor, we would not have had anywhere to go to escape the nightmare that was our life. With help from Safe Harbor, we were able to get the money we needed to find a place to live. We were able to stay there until this was possible. I was able to find daycare and get my life sorted out to make living on our own a reality. With the help of people donating to Safe Harbor, we were able to get a sofa for our living room.

Now, I can show my sons that it is not OK to be abused by the men in their lives. I thank God for the people who donate their time, money, efforts and prayers to this place, for women like myself, who truly needed a way to escape a living nightmare, not just for myself, but for my children as well.

My sincere gratitude goes out to everyone who has helped Safe Harbor be there. There will always be women and children who need you.

Four and a half years ago, two of my grandchildren came to live with us unexpectedly. We were in need of some clothing (inside and out) for them. Some suggested we talk with someone from Safe Harbor. We contacted them, and they were very gracious and provided things we needed. They also included a large box of groceries, along with the thought, that if there was any other way they could help, there were only a call away.

After that, we were occasionally called to see how things were going, and if there was anyway they could help.

The children were invited for summer picnic, plus Christmas party. There they always were treated to a good time. Christmas gifts were also given to us for under the tree from Santa

We received counseling in times of need, along with friendship, love and support.

To this day, the children have the Teddy Bears that were given them on their first contact with Safe Harbor. They were, and still are, their security.

Safe Harbor is a blessing our community. They help people in all circumstances, no questions asked.

I wear the yellow ribbon, and am proud to tell people about it when asked. Many people are unaware, please wear a yellow ribbon and help support Safe Harbor.

I needed to talk to someone in the past who would not judge me. I found Safe Harbor, which lived up to its name. It gave me a place to go and people to speak to and help when I asked for it. They gave me encouragement when I had made plans or decisions and help to show me options but left all the choices up to me and supported my choices.

It took me more than 20 years to get out of an abusive relationship. Safe Harbor allowed me to do this. Many who read this will think, “Oh yeah lady, it took almost 20 years,” but the financial aspects of abuse are what locked me in. I never believed for a moment I was deserving of the abuse, no one deserves to be abused. I knew what was happing was wrong – it was against every value and belief with which I was reared (I was born and reared in Sheboygan).

Financial abuse was my biggest road block. Safe Harbor provided me with a safe place to live paying for it by doing my fair share of chores. If I needed to talk to the counselors or advocates were readily available.

I am so pleased that Sheboygan realized the need for Safe Harbor and responded to that need. The support of Safe Harbor by city and country agencies, community churches, men and women’s groups as well as individuals is heartwarming.

I am grateful to the staff and volunteers of Safe Harbor, without them so many women and children would be without vital resources with which to rebuild their lives. I hope the community and individuals will continue to give Safe Harbor their generous support.

Sheboygan continues to grow in population. I sincerely hope that the citizens realize with this growth continued support of Safe Harbor and its services is essential. Sheboygan is a great place to live and work. Voted by Reader’s Digest as the Friendliest City, Sheboygan is in a unique position to set the standard for other cities and show we are a community that rises to the needs of all citizens. What a testament to progress that is.

Safe Harbor has helped me a lot. The group offers much support in a fun and casual environment. They have a wonderful program for our children at the same time we attend the group. My son loves and looks forward to it weekly.

At Safe Harbor, I feel free and comfortable to honestly talk and discuss my problems and feelings. My self-esteem has been coming back after much abuse. Thanks to much help from Safe Harbor. Thank you Safe Harbor for helping me through some very hard and difficult times. (happy face symbol)

While living with my abuser, I had trouble making decisions. I spent years moving back and forth from my abuser to a family member’s house. Every time I returned, the abuse worsened, but I didn’t want to involve my family anymore. It was so embarrassing for me. I was confused, and I didn’t know where to turn. When I learned of Safe Harbor, I immediately made plans to once again leave my abuser. I had finally made a wise decision.

My six-week stay at Safe Harbor was a bittersweet experience. I was excited about beginning my new life, but I knew I would miss the kind people who were there for me emotionally and financially. They helped me feel healthy again. The staff were supportive of my decisions, and I learned of available resources. Doors began opening for me.

I hate to think what would have happened if I hadn’t heard of Safe Harbor. I’m lucky I found people who cared about me when I was at my lowest. I feel sad for the victims who don’t yet know about Safe Harbor and are missing out on a normal life without abuse.

I can remember calling the hotline number some 9 years ago just to find out what my options were. I can remember being frightened of leaving and of staying. I was one of the fortunate ones. When I did leave the abusive situation for the first time, I and my children were taken in my a very dear friend and her family. My situation made me understand what so many women and children go through; many of them needing to depend on strangers for the help I received from a friend.

The following year, when I made a permanent break from the situation, I contacted Safe Harbor again. But this time it was to offer my help. I knew first hand how difficult if was being in an abuse situation and how difficult it was to leave. I wasn’t sure how I could help, but I knew that I had to do something.

What Safe Harbor is giving to the community is much more than a refuge for women and children in need. They are giving the community much needed information on domestic abuse; they are giving families their dignity back; they are giving women and children their lives back.

What my children and I encountered at Safe Harbor? First we encountered a safe place where we didn’t have to feel unsafe. This was extremely important for us.

The group of people at Safe Harbor were like sisters and gave us sufficient refuge to help us start over. When I mean sisters, I refer to how they showed us love, confidence, and support that a person needs in difficult times.

Safe Harbor has other important groups like recreation for children and adults and orientation for women who have been abused in one way or another. When you look at my testimony and remember how my children and I suffered, my eyes fill with tears for all of the injustice that we suffered. But, I give thanks to God and Safe Harbor because in the present and the future my children and I are filled with confidence, happiness, and hope.

Dear Safe Harbor,

I came to you lost and hurt and abused. I listened, but I didn’t talk. Safe Harbor gave me outstanding support. They talked me though many crises and emotionally supported me. Safe Harbor showed me that I was a very special person too and that I counted. Now my life is becoming whole into a very special woman. Thanks to all that helped me at Safe Harbor.