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Safe Passage helps people who are most in need of it. It provides supportive services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse in York, Chester, Lancaster and Union counties.

And in July, Morton & Gettys is stepping up to help Safe Passage do that. The law firm is donating $2,000. This is the sixth such monthly gift the firm has provided to a community organization in celebration of Morton & Gettys’ 20th anniversary.

This month, our staff chose the recipient. For the other nine months of the program, the firm’s attorneys are taking turns making that call.

The choice was not a hard one, according to Julie Hord, a paralegal who works in residential real estate and who suggested the recipient. In fact, it was unanimous. The staff consists of more than a dozen women, so there are quite a few mothers, and “This organization helps the defenseless,” she said.

“I have only heard good things about them in the community,” she added. “I have friends who have been victims before, and I can only do so much as a friend. It’s good to know there is someplace where they can receive help.”

Adrienne Woods, executive director of Safe Passage, deeply appreciated the help. “Morton & Gettys’ gift is extraordinary because it acknowledges the dedication and hard work of our advocates, clinicians, and emergency shelter staff. The gift also exemplifies the idea that ‘it takes a community’ to empower and uplift survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.”

Safe Passage focuses its efforts on:

• Domestic violence. It provides free, supportive, trauma-informed services for victims and survivors of domestic violence in York, Chester, and Lancaster Counties.
• Sexual trauma. It supports victims and survivors of sexual assault in York and Union counties.
• Child advocacy. The Child Advocacy Center of York County is a non-profit child abuse evaluation and treatment center. The CAC is aimed at preventing children in York and Union counties from being re-victimized.

Program services include emergency shelter for domestic violence victims and their young children, adult and child counseling, advocacy, 24-hour hospital accompaniment for sexual assault victims, community referrals, education, support groups, and parenting classes. Learn more at https://safepassagesc.org/.

Ms. Woods said she wasn’t sure yet which of many priorities the Morton & Getty’s donation will be devoted to, but typically, such gifts go straight to “direct services to our clients.”

How can others join M&G in helping with the missions of Safe Passage?

“We are always in need of volunteers – to help in administration, or in the shelter,” she said. And you don’t need to be a counselor or have other specialized skills. Sometimes, for instance, help is needed painting one of the child-friendly rooms at the shelter.

And of course, the organization is “always in need of monetary donations,” she said. There are government grants and things of that nature, “but they don’t cover everything.”

Find out how to donate at https://safepassagesc.org/donate/.