'Passion to Action' is S.A.F.E. Gala theme

At last year's Gala, Katie Mashburn of United Community Bank makes one last attempt to confirm her bid.

"Passion to Action" is the theme for the Seventh Annual S.A.F.E. Gala, which is coming

many up on Saturday, February 17th, at Brasstown Valley Resort. In addition to dinner, live music, dancing, silent and live auctions, the evening will share ideas for taking action to end abuse in the home. This information will add to the awareness of issues of domestic abuse in our community which is a part of S.A.F.E.'s mission. The mission statement is "To provide support, advocacy and emergency shelter for victims of domestic abuse, child abuse and sexual abuse, regardless of gender, and to heighten community awareness of such abuse in Towns and Union Counties."

S.A.F.E. has seven primary program areas: domestic abuse victim services, sexual abuse victim services, emergency

shelter, prevention education, community

awareness, a Child Visitation and Family Support Center and the collaborative Enotah Child Advocacy Center.

Awide variety of services compose the backbone of these programs. Although people think of S.A.F.E. in terms of emer- gency shelter, that is only a part of the work that is done. Additional services include crisis intervention, information/ referrals, needs assessments, goal planning, safety planning, personal support and advocacy. Support groups are offered to address issues of sexual assault, domestic violence, parenting, and children's groups. Food, clothing, household goods, financial assistance and relocation support are provided. Legal advocacy along with court and medical accompaniment are available. Also included are forensic interviews, exams, counseling, and supervised child/parent visitation. Educational presentations in the schools and trainings offered in the community contribute to prevention efforts.

The S.A.F.E. Gala will help support all of these services. So, make plans now to attend. Tickets are available at both S.A.F.E. Thrift Stores and at Appalachian Community Bank. For more information about tickets or advertising sponsorships, call the S.A.F.E. office at (706) 379-1901. Many thanks to the sponsors who are already participating including Appalachian Community Bank, Blue Ridge Mountain EMC, Brasstown Valley Resort, Flashback Band, Tim Ryan, United Community Bank/Blairsville, and Young Harris College.

S.A.F.E. is the State certified domestic violence and sexual assault program serving Town and Union Counties with partial funding received from the Georgia Department of Human Resources.