SafeNest To Manage Victims’ Shelter Services in Mesquite

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

The SafeNest organization, based in Las Vegas, will be taking over operations of a Mesquite shelter for victims of domestic violence and abuse beginning next month. The shelter has previously been operating under the auspices of the Mesquite City Attorney’s office, with access to it only through the Mesquite Police Department.

In a presentation before the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce last week, Safe Nest CEO Liz Ortenburger announced that her organization would be offering those services going forward with a target start date of early September.

“We will be hiring a local director for the shelter,” Ortenburger told Chamber members at a luncheon held on Wednesday, Aug. 18 at the Oasis Grille Room. “We will be expanding a sexual assault program and will have access to a rape kits nurse. These services will cover both Mesquite and the Moapa valley communities.”

With SafeNest established in Mesquite, there will be many more services that can be provided her, Ortenberg said.

“One of the many services we will be offering here is Preferred Provider Training,” Ortenberg said. “We hope to be offering it in the fall.”

That training is offered to school personnel, clergy, and business managers and allows trained individuals to work with SafeNest to get potential victims help.

Mesquite Chamber President/CEO Carol Kolson said, “I am so excited for this to happen. I spoke to Ortenburger a couple of months ago about the need, but I never expected things would happen this quickly.”

Established in 1977, SafeNest is Nevada’s largest, most comprehensive nonprofit dedicated to ending domestic violence.

Ortenburger explained that SafeNest is a $7 million agency. They receive funding from the State of Nevada from part of the marriage license fees and some funding from federal grants. But about half of the organization’s funding comes from fundraising efforts.

Items donated to SafeNest help victims set up housekeeping in a new location away from the source of abuse. Kitchen items are the most in need.

Items donated to SafeNest that are not immediately needed are sold and the proceeds used in areas that grant money cannot cover, Ortenburger said.

SafeNest hopes to work with and educate more of the schools about the special needs of child victims.
“Teaching young children that they are responsible for their own actions, is a good start for prevention of domestic violence,” Ortenburger said.

Call for donation pick-ups at 702-257-3800. For counselling call 702-877-0133. For help with protective orders calle 702-455-3400.