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Foe F.~~ii, <br />14~7 <br />SheCter Agencies for FamiCies in Ea.st exas, Inc. <br />P. 0. Box 2337 <br />204 Patrick Street <br />~sSAFE-TMt. Pleasant, Texas 75456-2337 <br />utle , 2uug Phone: (903) 572-0973 <br />RECEIVED Fax: (903) 572-0982 <br />Mr. Gene Anderson www.safe-tagency.com <br />Finance Director, City of Paris , <br />. <br />P.O. Box 9037 <br />Paris, TX 75461 CITy MAIVAGER <br />PARIS, TEXAS <br />Dear Mr. Anderson: <br />Enclosed is the request for public funding submitted by Shelter Agencies for Families in East Texas, Inc. aka SAFE- <br />T. Founded in 1995 in Titus County, SAFE-T has been providing shelter services, domestic violence, and sexual <br />assault services to victims of crime. In November of 2007 a group of citizens from Paris representing a variety of <br />service agencies visited Mt. Pleasant to request our services. SAFE-T had recently opened an outreach office in <br />Hopkins County, and did not have extra funds to spend in Paris. The group asked if they found free office space <br />and volunteers, would we come. <br />This persuasive group of people found a free office, donated by Mr. David Glass in the Capitol One Building as well <br />as volunteers to work as advocates. SAFE-T provided the training needed, as well as funds to pay for phone <br />service and supplies. Furnishings were donated by NETCADA. At the time that SAFE-T opened this office, we <br />assumed it would be a temporary situation. as Family Haven was under investigation and no one had any idea <br />that the investigation would be so lengthy. During this long wait, SAFE-T was asked to begin a Sexual Assault <br />Program which started in February 2009. There are several volunteers who respond on call to the hospital when <br />there is a sexual assault survivor who needs the presence of an advocate. Advocates are needed in order to <br />conduct a SART (Sexual Assault Response Team) which SAFE-T formalized at this time. The Child Advocacy Center <br />has been used many times for our trainings as well as a meeting place for the Crime Victims Council. <br />At the time of the submission of this application, we will be viewing an abandoned nursing home which might be <br />"d <br />usable for a shelter for victims of domestic violence. We will try to see this building by July 2. Of course funding <br />is always an issue, and we would have to depend heavily upon funds from the Texas Department of Health and <br />Human Services in order to open a satellite shelter. They will fund only a portion of funds needed to pay 24/7 <br />staff, insurance, food, supplies, etc. <br />Funds are not being requested for a shelter at this time, as it will take many months to coordinate and finalize <br />these plans, but rather we are requesting funds to provide a person to serve as an Advocate that will be able to <br />provide education to the community about SAFE-T services, crisis intervention, legal advocacy, peer counseling, <br />and referral to shelter in Mt. Pleasant. This Advocate would also help to coordinate plans to open a shelter and <br />work closely with the Administration office in Mt. Pleasant. We will hire a Paris resident to fill this position. <br />I will not be able to attend the City Council meeting in Juty, as I will be in Houston that day. I am sending a SAFE-T <br />representative to the meeting, should there be any questions that need to be answered. Thank you for your <br />consideration. <br />Respectfully, <br />0&u:1 l ()v S i..f ti~ <br />Carol Gresham <br />Executive Director O O~ C g <br />J <br />