STATE COLLEGE — Centre Safe recently launched its annual holiday campaign with the goal of raising $50,000 to directly support victims/survivors across Centre County through the year and allow Centre Safe to provide critical services that help its clients feel safe in their journey of healing.

Centre Safe — formerly the Centre County Women’s Resource Center — has been a vital part of the Centre County community since 1975.

Over the years it has grown into what it is today — three locations with dedicated staff offering confidential, professional and free services like emergency shelter/housing, counseling, advocacy, legal support, outreach, education and safe custody exchanges/supervised visitation through its Child Access Center.

“As we prepare to honor our 50th anniversary, we are asking our amazing community supporters to help us thrive in 2025,” said Jennifer Pencek, Centre Safe executive director. “On average we support 900 victims of domestic and dating violence and 200 survivors of sexual assault, along with approximately 200 adults and children needing shelter/housing. Those working at Centre Safe feel called to this line of work, and we are incredibly thankful for supporters who help give us the tools to help so many in our communities across Centre County.”

Your contributions go directly to support clients and critical services. Below are just some of the services/tools able to be funded by your generous donations:

— $10,000: 10 families with assistance to relocate to safe housing

— $5,000: 100 hours of legal assistance

— $2,500: 32 monthly bus passes to provide transportation to job interviews, medical appointments and employment

— $1,000: 20 safe custody exchanges

— $500: Textbooks for clients completing degrees/training

— $250: Food, toiletries and other necessities for a family escaping violence

— $100: Advocacy and support to obtain a Protection from Abuse Order

— $25: Books for children living in the Sylvia Stein Shelter

“I doubted and questioned every decision I was making,” said one Centre Safe client. “Centre Safe’s reassurance and legal advice helped me understand what we were going through was not okay. This clarity offered such hope for me and my family. I will be forever thankful for the new chapter in my life.”

You may donate to Centre Safe’s holiday campaign by visiting www.centresafe.org and clicking on get involved, make a donation. If you prefer mailing a donation, send your check made payable to Centre Safe to 140 W. Nittany Ave., State College, PA 16801 and write “holiday campaign” on the memo line.