State grants funds to help Safe Futures renovate emergency shelter
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Wednesday announced that 34 nonprofit organizations, including New London-based Safe Futures Inc., were selected to receive a total of $15 million in grants as part of Connecticut’s Nonprofit Grant Program.
Safe Futures, the former Women’s Center of Southeastern Connecticut, is slated to receive two grants totaling $217,772.
Executive Director Catherine Zeiner said the money will be used for much-needed repairs and renovations at the 15-bed emergency shelter the organization maintains for female victims of domestic violence and their children.
Safe Futures has planned renovations to the home’s basement and foundation, along with bathrooms, doors and flooring.
“Our shelter is very worn,” Zeiner said. “It has been in desperate need for a long time.”
Part of the group’s mission is to provide safety for women seeking shelter, and Zeiner said residents also need to have a positive outlook and “feel they’re worthy or deserving of a better life.”
“When you are taking shelter in a place that doesn’t always feel safe, maybe a little depressing, it counteracts some of the work we’re doing to make a positive change in someone’s life,” she said.
The shelter has operated at more than capacity for each of the past five years and a lack of funding has prevented renovations, Zeiner said. Last year, Safe Futures paid for 383 rooms outside the shelter, and Zeiner said the need remains high.
Malloy created the Nonprofit Grant Program in 2013 as a way to help nonprofit providers that do business with the state invest in projects “that will achieve new efficiencies so they can enhance the delivery of services,” according to a statement.
“These organizations play an important role in our state, and we’re proud to partner with and support them,” Malloy said in his statement. “It’s our goal to help organizations focus on what they do best — getting services to those who need them most.”
Twitter: @SmittyDay
Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.