SAFE Alliance in need of bare necessities sees increase in violence survivors

AUSTIN, Texas (FOX 7 Austin) - Donations can be slim during the summer months for Austin’s SAFE Alliance. The human service agency helps survivors of sexual assault, abuse and domestic violence.

Heather Henry, development officer for SAFE, said they help about 350 people a day and says during the summer months they're not seeing things come in at the same rate as at other times of the year.

"We think about it like if you left your home in the middle of the night, what are the things you would need," Henry said. "You would need shampoo, you would need baby wipes for your baby, you would need a clean pillow to sleep on, towels to take a shower, all those things that you really don't think about until you don't have them."

Last year SAFE reported assisting 15,000 people through their hotline. This year they've helped a little under 20,000.

Henry said a part of their increase is attributed to their new program called "Rapid Rehousing." The program assists youth who are survivors of abuse by giving them a place to stay instead of ending up on Austin’s streets.

"That program is rapidly we serve a lot of people and the summer is a really busy time and so as Austin grows and all these things are happening we are seeing a huge influx of people who are needing our services," Henry said.

The items needed are: 
•         Underwear for all ages, genders, and sizes
•         Baby wipes
•         Shampoo and conditioner
•         Hair brushes and hair care products, especially for Black hair care
•         Twin sheets and blankets (gently used and new accepted)
•         Bed pillows
•         Bath towels (gently used and new accepted)

Donations can be dropped off at SAFE’s warehouse at 1515 Grove Boulevard on Sundays and Fridays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

For more information visit their website.