Safe Journeys is a 501(c )(3) non-profit agency that provides supportive services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence in LaSalle and Livingston counties.
OUR MISSION
To empower survivors of domestic and sexual violence and work to end such violence in our communities.
Safe Journeys is committed to ending domestic and sexual violence by creating an environment where survivors are empowered and by working together to eliminate the cultural norms that allow such violence to happen and that prevent some survivors from receiving the support they need. We recognize that efforts to end domestic and sexual violence must address the intersecting forms of oppression that support such violence, including sexism, racism, heterosexism, ageism, classism, and ableism.
OUR HISTORY
1970s
The agency now named Safe Journeys was founded in the late 1970s by two Streator women. They started it because there were many women living in dangerous situations in their own homes with no safe place to go. These two women opened their doors, their hearts and their checkbooks to help those women in need. They also asked friends and family members for support and help in finding safe places for the victims of domestic violence to stay.
They created a new organization called First Step, even though there were no public funds available to work with domestic violence issues that first year. In the late 1970s, the phrase “domestic violence” was only rarely used (if at all) and violence in the home was still considered a private or family matter.
1979
In 1979, First Step applied for funds from the LaSalle County 708 Board and was granted funding. The 708 Board was also instrumental in purchasing LaSalle County’s first domestic violence shelter. At this time, the agency took the name Against Domestic Violence (ADV). The first shelter was cramped and over-crowded, but women and children still came seeking a safe place to stay. There was little staff training, and no established guidelines, protocols or procedures. Nevertheless, Streator was on the leading edge of a national grassroots movement and one of the earliest shelters established in Illinois.
1987
In 1987, we hired our first legal advocate, allowing us to increase the amount of services to victims who chose to access the civil legal system for an order of protection.
1994
In 1994, ADV expanded services to include support for survivors of sexual assault. Until that time, there had been no services for adult survivors of sexual assault in LaSalle or Livingston counties beyond minimal services for children. With the addition of sexual assault services, ADV became ADV & SAS, A Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Service. ADV & SAS determined that there was a need for services that were accessible to those throughout our service area. As there was no public transportation in LaSalle or Livingston counties, ADV & SAS opened outreach offices in Pontiac, Ottawa, and Streator. Prevention education programs were also started in area school districts at this time.
2018
In 2018, we changed our name to Safe Journeys. This is because many times, healing is a journey and we are available wherever a person is on that journey. We also opened an outreach office in Peru.
Today, we are proud to provide a 24-hour support line, emergency shelter, medical and legal advocacy, supportive counseling, and case management to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, as well as education for youth and adults across LaSalle and Livingston counties.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
None at this time.