Our Mission

Safe Haven provides emergency shelter and free comprehensive support services to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.  Safe Haven is committed to ending violence and sexual assault by changing the social conditions and beliefs that perpetuate violence against women and children.

Safe Haven History

Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury (formerly known as the Women’s Emergency Shelter) was founded in 1978 by a group of concerned citizens who determined a need for a shelter for battered women in the Waterbury area.  These founders had the foresight to know that in addition to shelter, a battered woman would need other supportive services to enable her to leave her violent home and gain financial and emotional independence from her abusive partner.

 The Women's Emergency Shelter (W.E.S.) started out as a small three bedroom apartment. Two years later, in 1980, W.E.S. opened a 17-bed shelter.  Although the original shelter afforded a safe home for battered women and their children, by 1990 it was in need of extensive repair.  In 1991, the agency moved the shelter to a different location, which was better suited for  families. Throughout its history, the staff continued to provide the additional supportive services of crisis intervention, individual and peer group counseling, child and legal advocacy, community education and information and referral.

 In 1986, with the enactment of the Family Violence Prevention and Response Act, W.E.S. saw a dramatic increase in the number of clients seeking non-shelter services.  The Family Violence Victim Advocate Program made victims aware of the variety of services offered in addition to shelter. 

 In 1996, the Sexual Assault Crisis Services became part of W.E.S. adding  crisis intervention, counseling, child advocacy, and outreach to the Hispanic community, a Male Violence Prevention program and extensive community education to its services.

 In 1997, the Connecticut Judicial Branch established a domestic violence docket in Waterbury Superior Court. The docket court aims to fight domestic violence by developing more effective sanctions for abusers. The Family Violence Victim Advocate program was then expanded to provide additional services to victims.

 In May 2000, W.E.S. became Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury.  The name change reflects the fact that that the agency supports all victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, which includes children, teens and men as well as women.  In addition, the name more accurately reflected the joining of the domestic violence and sexual assault programs.

 In January 2001, Safe Haven opened a satellite office in Southbury, CT.  This office serves victims in the suburban towns of Southbury, Woodbury and Middlebury who may be reluctant to seek services outside their community.

 In November 2003, Safe Haven took over management of the Southbury Community Thrift Shop. The shop is managed by Susan McNeil and staffed by over 60 dedicated volunteers.  Proceeds from the Southbury Community Thrift Shop support the Safe Haven Southbury office and other Southbury charities. The Thrift Shop is located at 32C Bennett Square, Southbury.  Store hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. The furniture shop is open on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.