Our third Kearney nonprofit finalist in the 100 Year, $100k Office Makeover Contest is The S.AF.E. Center. Founded in 1978, The S.A.F.E. Center provides free and confidential services for individuals and families affected by domestic and sexual violence while bringing awareness and prevention efforts to communities across South Central Nebraska. Answers are provided by Nikki Gausman, S.A.F.E Center Executive Director.
To vote for the Kearney winner of the office makeover contest, click here!
Q: Why do you need an office makeover?
A: We just don’t have enough tools to help us manage the clutter and work efficiently! What the pictures don’t show you is that our copy machine prints crookedly, our paper cutter sounds like a blue jay yelling, and our chairs are falling apart because they don’t roll on the carpet. We get so focused on providing services to clients that the office may take us over before we get a makeover!
Q: How do you devote ethical business practices to fulfilling your mission?
A: We are celebrating 40 years in the community this year and our dedicating to ethical practices has allowed for our continuation. While we focus on our agency ethics and values of ensuring client confidentiality and autonomy, we strive to maintain open communication and transparency in our work with clients and the community. We maintain accountability and transparency in our finances and are good stewards of our funders’ and our donors’ contributions. We believe that we all have the social responsibility to care for each other and the environment to make our five-county service area a healthy and safe place to work and live.
Q: What are some positive examples of your influence on the community?
A: The S.A.F.E. Center works to help individuals and families who have been affected by dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and sex trafficking. While intervention is key to helping people remain contributing members of our communities, we also dedicate our time to educating others about prevention. We know that community members are integral to helping stop violence before it starts and we offer them the tools to make a difference. In 40 years, we have helped thousands of people find safety while helping thousands more understand how they can make our communities safe. The positive results from this have made The S.A.F.E. Center stand out as an influential team member in our five county service area.
Q: Please demonstrate your leadership.
A: The S.A.F.E. Center has been a leader in the community with its efforts to curb domestic violence and sexual assault by bringing together people who want to make change. In both Buffalo County and a collaborative effort in the other four counties we serve, The S.A.F.E. Center convenes over 25 criminal justice and victim service agencies on a quarterly basis to work to improve the system response to violence. These efforts raise awareness and help improve victim safety and offender accountability. In addition, The S.A.F.E. Center works to align it’s work with other leaders who are making strides in creating a healthier community. With over 60 years of staff experience and 40 years of agency history, our leadership combines our ability to help people where they are while looking towards change for a positive future. We are so immersed in these tasks, we often don’t pay attention and don’t have the funding for things like a makeover! We appreciate your consideration which will help us continue to make a difference!