Safe Passage
Family Resource Center
A Place To Start
Welcome. Bienvenido.
We believe, when a child
is struggling in school
or in the community,
their parents or caregivers,
may need some help.
Safe Passage is the place
for coastal families to
find information,
support & understanding.
Our door is open
We're here to help
Our History...
The Safe Passage story began when a group of community members led by Sally Bates recognized the need for a family resource center, a "one-stop shop." In 1996, we opened our door and started offering support to families with funding from a Healthy Start grant.
Like our founders, we believe our services and programs help children improve their chances of success in school and discover opportunities later in life. Our goal is to create strong communities, filled with nurturing parents and caregivers confidently raising happy and successful children.
At Safe Passage, we strengthen our communities by strengthening the families that live in our coastal areas. Every day, we meet parents and caregivers looking for answers, support, and information. We are here to empower our local families, to provide support and resources, and to celebrate living life to its fullest.
In our experience, parents and caregivers who are supported and equipped with reliable information become a child’s best advocate. We know that empowered families are the catalyst to achieving a bright future for any child.
When we empower our local families, by offering a place to start and an open door, we are strengthening the future of the community in which we live.
About Us...
Our Vision
To create a strong community filled with nurturing families – happy, successful parents, caregivers and children.
Our Mission
To ensure that all children from birth to eighteen have safe passage through our community and our schools. So that they emerge as happy, healthy and productive young adults.
Our Goal
To support, educate and empower parents and caregivers, enabling them to provide a safe, healthy environment. One that promotes the well-being and development of a child’s full potential.
Who We Serve...
You do not need to be a legal U.S. resident to receive services from Safe Passage.
We do our best to help everyone who comes to us, regardless of income level.
Our clients are from diverse backgrounds and a variety of circumstances.
As an organization, we strive to positively impact the lives of the families we serve.
At Safe Passage, we celebrate diversity and we welcome all people regardless of faith, ethnicity, age, disability, culture, language, gender, sexual identity or sexual orientation.
THE
STAFF
Safe Passage Family Resource Center
is staffed with professionals who have remarkable experience in their fields.
Our staff makes every effort to strengthen the families we serve by delivering effective and culturally appropriate services, advocacy,
information and referrals.
MEET THE TEAM
Cathy Garcia
Executive Director
A California Native, Cathy was born and raised in the diverse urban culture of the Southern Coast. Relocating to Mendocino County in 2015, she now considers our local coastal community home. Cathy brings her passion for offering high quality support to families in her community, she endeavors to make sure that every person who walks through the Safe Passage door feels welcome.
In addition to a background in the operational management of domestic violence shelters and program administration, she is knowledgeable in the fields of homelessness, mental health and addiction. With over 16 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Cathy is a visionary leader, applying her skills and knowledge to guide the team and identify new ways for Safe Passage to strengthen our coastal communities.
Direct: 961-3605
Elena Gonzalez
Administrative Coordinator
Elena is a Fort Bragg native and has been employed with Safe Passage for over four years. During her time with Safe Passage Elena has grown with the organization, her skills and aptitude paved the way for her promotion to the Administrative Coordinator position.
Elena oversees the daily operations at Safe Passage. In addition to case management and brief intervention services, Elena is bi-lingual (Spanish speaking) and assists with translation services to families needing advocacy for their children’s education.
Direct: 964-3077
Christy Murat
Program Manager
Christy has returned to Mendocino County, making her home in our coastal community. Christy graduated with a B.S.W. (Bachelor of Social Work) from Humboldt State University and received her C.P.R.C. (Certified Peer Recovery Coach) from The Connecticut Center For Recovery Training. She has an extensive background in child welfare, foster care/adoption, harm reduction, SUD/MAT and mental health. The past year Christy provided intensive, long-term case management to families needing extra support and advocacy, as well as help navigating multiple services and barriers. Christy is passionate about enhancing the lives of others and is a strong advocate for the families she works with.
Norma Trejo
Youth Coordinator
Norma is a bilingual Fort Bragg native, and has spent the last three years working with families and children. She is highly active in her community and enjoys building connections through her work, her family and as a student at Mendocino College.
Norma is easy going, fun-loving, approachable and open minded, she enjoys hearing new ideas and exploring opportunity. She is passionate about the youth in our coastal communities and building relationships with them. Through outreach and listening to our local youth, hearing their needs, and exchanging ideas she is an informed and experienced youth advocate.
Her goal is to bridge the gaps between community and youth by building relationships and through shared interest. She hopes to provide the resources necessary for teens to explore their interests in a healthy, safe, and community supported environment.
If you are a local youth, have a teen, know a teen, or if you are a community member interested in helping our local youth succeed, give Norma a call! She looks forward to hearing from you and speaks both English and Spanish.
E-mail:
Irene Malone
Irene hosts a bimonthly support group at Safe Passage for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren.
Direct: 964-1931
E-mail: irenelsm@mcn.org
Safe Passage Family Resource Center
is governed by a Board of Directors,
who help promote the vision of strengthening our coastal communities.
The Board of Directors meets at noon,
on the second Thursday of every
month, in the Safe Passage FRC office
at 208 Dana St., Fort Bragg CA.
THE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
Are you are interested
in making a difference?
Would you like to help
strengthen our coastal
communities?
Consider joining
The Board of Directors
at Safe Passage
Family Resource Center
Stop by the office at
208 Dana St., Fort Bragg, CA
and pick up an application!
Or
download the application HERE.
Board applications,
or correspondence to the Board,
should be mailed to:
Safe Passage Family Resource Center
Attn: Board of Directors
P.O. Box 1718
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
President Of The Board
Sophie Vieira
Staff Assistant, Mendocino County
Environmental Health
Vice President of the Board
Cate Rossi
Substitute Teacher/Instructional Assistant,
Special Services
Fort Bragg Unified School District
Board Secretary
Vicki Wellspring
Volunteer Coordinator
Project Sanctuary
Board Treasurer
Paul Davis
Operations Manager
Mendocino Coast Hospitality Center
Board Member
Carolyn Carine
Director of Special Programs at
Fort Bragg Unified School District
Board Member
Robert Rodriguez
Retired
Help Strengthen Your Community
Support Our Local Families
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