Sylvia's Place staff welcomes you to our website. Our domestic violence safe house began with a need and an idea in 1996. Our safe house is staffed by highly trained individuals to handle any type of domestic violence situation.
Since our beginning, we have provided over 29,000 safe bed nights at our safe house. In our first month of our new fiscal year (October 2007), we provided 413 safe bed nights. This is double last year's numbers. It is through the support of the people who believe in our cause, that we can continue to welcome all those who are fleeing domestic violence in their homes. NO one ever has or ever will be turned away from our door, regardless of their situation.
We appreciate all those who believe in our services and offer support to us and to our survivors of domestic abuse. It is by working together that we make a difference in our communities and our lives.
Sylvia's Place is named after a local Allegan County woman who lost her life while trying to flee an abusive relationship. Our agency is dedicated to the memory of Sylvia Allen [click here to read her story] and exists to provide a safe environment to women and children fleeing similiar circumstances.
Beyond being a safe house, we also offer residential and non-residential support services to survivors who are looking for ways to change their lifes. This is done by contract counseling services, victim (legal) advocacy, case management, referrals to area agencies, housing referrals, plus several more services too numerous to mention. To hear a welcoming voice on the other end of the telephone for a family in crisis is priceless.
Statistics show that one in three women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. There is no set "profile" for a domestic abuse survivor. Look around you . . . many families in crisis are your friends and neighbors, co-workers, church members and professionals in your community. Each survivor has their own unique needs and stories. For more information regarding DV and Allegan County, please press our NEWS tab.
Check our contact pages on how you can help our agency continue to provide our life-saving services free of charge. Together we can make a difference.
Click on a links below to read some of our survivor stories. Please note that all the names have been changed to protect the identity of the people we serve.
(269) 673-8700 or 888-411-7837 (24 hours a day)
PO Box 13, Allegan, MI 49010
In Allegan County and surrounding areas there have been many distrubing situations with DV related deaths. It's hard to tell what causes someone to escalate to the point where they are willing to take another's life, every DV situation is different. DV comes in every shape, color, size, situation, and profession. There is no "norm" . . . look around you, it could be friends, family, people you work with, people who sit around you in church, school, etc.
Sylvia's Place provides a way for survivors fleeing domestic violence to begin to gain back the confidence and self-worth that the perpetrator wears down over years of abuse. Staffed 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, we open our doors and our hearts to those seeking ways to change their current situation. No one is ever turned away regardless of the profession of the victim or the perpetrator. We offer warm, comfortable and safe housing. If someone comes to the door and asks for help, they receive it. If the victim is not ready to leave their abuser, we offer counseling and support for this decision, they don't have to carry the burden by themselves. We provide the means to help change the vicious cycle of domestic violence..
Sylvia's Place has information regarding DV and relationships and would be willing to come and speak at any organization regarding domestic violence and the affect on families and the communities as a whole. We're here to provide safety, support and education.
All of our staff at Sylvia's Place attends new provider training and other training that helps prepare us to handle every situation, every time. No one is every turned away. If you know of someone who you believe may be in an abusive relationship, give them our number - 269-673-8700 - all of our services are confidential in nature.
What Not Inn Fundraiser
What Not Inn in Fennville, Michigan hosted a fundraiser for Sylvia's Place on May 5, 2008. Please click on our NEWS tab to view pictures from this event.
We want to thank Patty and her staff from What Not Inn for having this fundraiser for us and making it such an enjoyable event.
A special thanks to those who were auctioned off for dinner dates:
Ben, Carrie, Danny, Diego & Band, Lance, Michael, Pat, Patty, Pauline, Terese
and all who donated the wonderful door prizes and auction items.
Your generosity for our agency brought in over xxxxxxxxxx in donations to our agency!
Thank you all so much
for your support
