A needed Calvert County facility received money for assistance Tuesday, Nov. 19. Members of Safe Harbor Inc.’s Board of Directors presented a check in the amount of $30,000 to county officials. The beneficiary will be the women and children who are victims of domestic violence and are provided shelter at Safe Harbor in Prince Frederick.
“The best thing we could do is work ourselves out of business, unfortunately that’s just not happening,” said Linda Kelley, a former Calvert County commissioner who has long been an advocate for domestic violence victims and is Safe Harbor Inc. current board chairman.
Safe Harbor, Kelley pointed out, is the only shelter program in Maryland administered by a health department. “Employees of Safe Harbor are employees of the [Calvert County] health Department,” she stated.
While health department funds—state and local—keep Safe Harbor up and operating 24/7, Safe Harbor Inc. raises substantial funds to provide what Kelley called “non-budgeted client items. It’s not just bed and board. Lots of other services are provided.” Money is also needed to provide shelter residents with prescription medications, legal fees, and even shoes and clothing.
“We have relied on the generosity of the citizens of Calvert County,” said Safe Harbor Inc. Board Vice Chairman Edward Apple.
Calvert County Commissioners’ President Pat Nutter [R], a retired deputy sheriff, recalled the frustrating times prior to Safe Harbor when law enforcement officers investigating domestic violence cases and did not have the option to direct victims to a safe haven.
In the early 1990s the county commissioners designated the former Central School as the shelter for abused women and children. The facility was renovated using grant money and subsequently expanded.
Kelley estimated over 2,000 women and their children have sought refuge at Safe Harbor.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
