STATEMENT: On A Safe Place Family Justice Center Closure to the Public
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, March 17, 2020
CONTACT: Brenda Kinoshita, (503) 557-5820, brendak@cwsor.org
Statement of Melissa Erlbaum, Executive Director at Clackamas Women’s Services, On A Safe Place Family Justice Center Closure to the Public
Today the decision was made to close A Safe Place Family Justice Center to the public effective tomorrow, March 18th, during the current health crisis. This decision was made after lengthy deliberation and we support the measures Clackamas County and our FJC partners are taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep our community safe. We will update the community as soon as we know the reopen date.
We continue to be as present and available to the community as ever, while also working wisely to limit the spread of COVID-19 and prevent further impact on vulnerable populations. We understand that domestic and sexual violence and elder abuse do not stop during this critical time; if anything, external stressors and lack of resources can exacerbate violence that is already happening. Our staff continues to work during this time and will continue to provide vital services to the community.
Our movement began over 50 years ago with the formation of crisis lines— to both offer and receive support and connection without meeting face to face. It remains a core service through which we can provide safety planning, information about community resources and protections, and emotional support. And it’s a space we’re comfortable and confident continuing to provide support in now. Our advocates continue to shelter and provide those resources to the community at large.
And we are learning to grow, adapt, and expand the way we serve the community. Our advocates continue to shelter and provide ongoing case management to survivors. We are exploring ways to deliver much-needed food and supplies to survivors and families in need. Counselors are providing mental health therapy online or over the phone. We continue to connect people with protective orders and our LEAP program is conducting intakes, meetings, and providing legal advice by phone or video-conference. Our children’s program is preparing a way to conduct support groups virtually and art-based therapy groups. We’re using all our time-tested crisis response skills and outside-of-the-box thinking and putting them to good use during this crisis.
Please reach out to us for help and support. We’re here for you. We know this time is challenging for everyone, but it only reaffirms what we have always known: the way to get through tough times is together.
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