PAT LAVINS
Tracy Levy accepted the position of Director of Development of SafeSpace, Inc. at busy time for the organization that serves, Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River County for victims of domestic violence. SafeSpace is saving and changing the lives of domestic violence victims on the Treasure Coast.
October has been declared as a month to nationally focus public attention on the sad reality that even in the 21st century, domestic violence touches the lives of Americans of all ages leaving a devastating impact on women, men, and children of every background and circumstance.
The efforts toward domestic violence prevention are facilitated by a volunteer Board of local citizens.
Tracy’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she shared with me the very ambitious agenda for the organization. The first major event for the upcoming year is the annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” public program which is an opportunity for real men to step up to fight against domestic violence. The program for this year is co-chaired by Lewana Dupree, an employee of Spector Soft, and Bud Spencer, Deputy Sheriff of Indian River County. The IRC event co-chairs have solicited local volunteers to participate in the International Men’s March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault and Gender Violence. The public is invited to cheer on the willing local volunteers on Saturday, October 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Indian River Mall. As has been experienced in past years, a fun time is planned for all.
In anticipation of the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event, there will be an opportunity to meet and greet some of the volunteers on October 19th at the Blue Star Wine Bar beginning at 6 p.m.
In November there will be some post event parties to thank those in our local community who generously sponsored the event that is so critical to educating the community to the fact that domestic violence has an impact on the economy and on the individual lives of our own friends and neighbors. There is no sector in Indian River County that is immune from the impact of domestic violence.
In 2014 the major fundraiser for SafeSpace will be held at a location and date in March yet to be determined. Bob Schlitt of Schlitt Insurance Agency is serving as the Chair for this annual fundraiser. The speaker for the dinner will be Tiffany Carr who is head of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV). The goal of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence is to create a violence free world by empowering women and children through the elimination of personal and institutional violence and oppression against all people.
Tracy who moved from New York to Central Florida over nine years ago is a statuesque tall beauty who loves high heels so she will be more than ready to teach the Indian River County volunteers on how to walk in their red high heels. She also knows from first hand experience that life can throw obstacles on your path. When that happens “you pick yourself up and charge forward” as Tracy did when she had a heart attack at age 30 and had three young children at home to care for daily. It is a lesson that was also reinforced for her when she had to join the workforce after a divorce and she spent seven years with the American Cancer Society as a fundraiser before moving on to more professional challenges at SafeSpace.
SafeSpace of Central Florida has two shelters and they provide a protective oasis for women and children escaping domestic violence. SafeSpace is the only certified organization on the Treasure Coast that fills this need. Thus, they are dependent on United Way funding and the net proceeds of the annual fundraisers. Tracy said that “the organization has been a part of the Indian River community since 1979.” There are only two shelters in the Central Florida region and one is located in Indian River County.
Tracy said that “a major focus for SafeSpace in recent years has been on youth services and prevention. Additionally, they have initiated a rural outreach program that allows opportunities for one-on-one counseling.” She stated that one of the goals for the coming year is to do more outreach in the Hispanic communities in the Fellsmere area.
Working in coordination with the police and local non-profit agencies that serve the public the information about the work of SafeSpace is transmitted routinely in the form of brochures and a Facebook page. Tracy has as her personal goal for her work at SafeSpace “to educate the public about the need to prevent domestic violence so that behaviors learned at home at a young age do not become a part of an adult lifestyle.”
Recognizing that victims of domestic violence are often non-English speakers the brochures are available in both English and Spanish and convey the central message:
Call us to inform yourself about your rights and available options for you and your children.
You are not alone! Help is only a phone call away. Call 911 if you are in danger. SafeSpace.: 772-569-7233.
Llamenos para informarse sobre sus derechos y las opciones a usted y a sus hijos. Usted no esta sola!
SafeSpace, Inc. – Toda relacion libre de violencia. Indian River: (772) 569-7233. Llame al 911 si se encuentra en peligro.
The challenging goal for SafeSpace is to ensure that every relationship is violence free. Domestic violence is found in all economic brackets, races, ages, sexual orientation and educational levels.
Indian River Guardian 