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The City
By Jonathan Custodio
February 8, 2023
Excerpt from original article
In 2022, young adults who were working with Safe Horizon applied for studio apartments in a building in the Williamsbridge section of The Bronx.
On December 8, Joseph Armato, the landlord’s real estate broker, informed Safe Horizon that nine of its clients had been accepted, including five of the six plaintiffs, according to the suit filed on Monday in Manhattan Supreme Court. A few days later, it alleges, Armato submitted tenancy approval documents signed by Kalaj for the nine apartments.
Under city and state law, landlords are barred from rejecting any prospective or current tenants from using housing vouchers or discriminating based on source of income.
As young adults experiencing unstable housing or homelessness, the six plaintiffs all qualified for an emergency housing voucher program that helps with costs like security deposits and brokers’ fees. The program operates under the same rules as the Section 8 program from which they also all received vouchers to help with rent.
The suit seeks to have Kalaj offer apartments to all qualifying Safe Horizon applicants while paying at least $50,000 in compensatory and punitive damages per plaintiff, and to enjoin the building from renting or leasing any units until that’s happened.
Rudolph emphasized that housing is the principal goal for the litigation but that damages are also on the table, especially if the landlord refuses to move forward with housing for their clients.
While the city housing authority is named as a defendant in the suit, “NYCHA has been incredibly helpful to us throughout this process,” Stephanie Rudolph, The Legal Aid Society attorney representing the prospective tenants and Safe Horizon, told THE CITY in an email.
With limited resources available to support young adults experiencing homelessness, any disruption in supplying them with housing slows down services that can be provided to others. That’s according to Joe Westmacott, assistant director of housing and benefits for Safe Horizon’s Streetwork Project, which operates drop-in centers, a 24-bed shelter and an outreach program for young New Yorkers. Nearly 60% of its clients are Black, and about half identify as LGBTQ, he said.
“Everything has waiting lists,” Westmacott continued. “We had 14 clients who were supposed to be already housed in this building, and not not only are they not moved in, but we have to spend time trying to find them other housing so they don’t lose their vouchers.
“And that takes away from time and resources that should be going to other clients if these people have been housed.”
94-99% of intimate partner violence survivors experience economic abuse. In March 2021, Safe Horizon joined a group of advocates & attorneys from gender-based violence advocacy & legal services programs to uplift a survivor-centered vision for economic equity. In this blog post, we explain:
Gender-based violence refers to a wide variety of acts that can be directed at a person because of their gender or gender expression. Gender Based Violence can include sexual, physical, mental and economic harm inflicted in public or in private. It also includes threats of violence, coercion, and manipulation.
The term Gender Based Violence is inclusive of or may be used interchangeably with “domestic violence/abuse” or “intimate partner violence” and “hate violence.” Gender-based violence offers a more expansive sense of gender, sexuality, and other identities of both the survivor and the abusive partner or person who causes harm.
For survivors of gender-based violence, safety requires economic security. The COVID-19 pandemic unleashed simultaneous health and economic crises. The media coverage and severity of gendered, economic, and racial inequities over the last few years have increased public awareness around these issues. For survivors and advocates who navigate social and economic barriers to safety, these inequities are not news but rather lived realities.
Acknowledging and understanding that economic abuse exists at a far higher-than-average percentage amongst domestic violence/gender-based violence survivors. Building off this knowledge, it is important to focus on righting past wrongs as it relates to ID theft, fraud and coerced debt. This is a long process and can take years to rectify. The next step is putting in place protections against any further economic abuse. Only then can a survivor work towards economic security.
In March 2021, a group of advocates and attorneys from gender-based violence advocacy and legal services programs across New York City came together to create a survivor-centered vision for economic equity with specific recommendations on key issues related to economic independence and stability. To do this, this group held a series of six visioning calls with 24 survivors and 61 advocates, attorneys, and other direct service providers representing 27 New York City organizations, then examined and compiled data and evidence. This concluded with four issue briefs: coerced debt, housing, public benefits and solidarity economies.
What are the key findings of this groups study?
What Does this Report Accomplish?
In this report, the group shares the vision and specific recommendations from the calls and the report aims to:
Safe Horizon is proud to participate in the creation of this report with many partner organizations, advocates, and survivors. Together, we are committed to ensuring safety for survivors of gender-based violence and a new vision for economic equity in New York City and beyond. For more info about Safe Horizon visit the About Us page on our website. Learn about our programs for survivors.
SI Live
By Jessica Jones-Gorman
August 31, 2022
Excerpt below:
After a recent positive evaluation, the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) has announced the expansion of “A Safe Way Forward” — a prevention services program that provides support to survivors of domestic violence, as well as the persons who are causing them harm.
“In our mission to protect children and support families, ACS and our partners are working to address the root causes of family violence while we help survivors and children stay safe,” said ACS commissioner Jess Dannhauser. “I’m pleased by the results of our recent evaluation, which suggests that “A Safe Way Forward” is having a positive impact on families affected by intimate partner violence, and I look forward to expanding the program to three boroughs: Staten Island, the Bronx and now, Brooklyn.”
Originally launched in 2019 as a demonstration project for families in the Bronx and Staten Island, the program, which provides services to survivors and the children in their household, enjoyed many positive outcomes, according to an evaluation by ACS officials.
Survivors described increased self-esteem and increased confidence in their ability to execute a safety plan, and make decisions that would keep their family safe. And the interventions for the persons causing harm resulted in many behavioral changes, oftentimes ending the cycle of violence. When asked how the program was helping them to make progress toward their goals, both survivors and persons causing harm praised the program’s “concrete assistance and clinical work,” and showed appreciation for a staff that “helped them by listening, being understanding, offering suggestions and advice, and just being there.”
“We know that domestic violence and child abuse frequently co-occur,” said Liz Roberts, CEO of Safe Horizon. “Safe Way Forward offers an innovative and holistic response to families in which domestic violence presents serious risks to children. In this model, we provide trauma-focused care to the whole family, including the person who has caused harm, while maintaining an unwavering focus on safety for both adult survivors and children. ‘A Safe Way Forward’ responds to longstanding gaps in care for families affected by domestic violence, and we welcome this expansion. We are proud to be a partner and service provider for this important program.”
ACS, which administers over 135 programs and helps more than 15,000 families each year with supports like family therapy, mental health counseling and substance misuse treatment, says the goal of this particular program is to promote behavior change and protect the safety of the survivor and children, interrupting the intergenerational impact that intimate partner violence can have on families.
“I have always said that I don’t know what would have become of me if they hadn’t helped me,” one survivor noted during an evaluation of the program. “So, I would recommend them and I would say that what helped us the most was that they provided us with counseling, which was what helped us to get ahead. So, I think their objective is that the families do not feel alone, that despite what they went through there are more people who can look out for them.”
Gotham Gazette
By Heather Colbourne
August 31, 2022
When I lost my son Keondre to gun violence last year, my whole life came crashing down. At only 18, Keondre was senselessly shot multiple times. He went into the neighborhood deli, and he never came out.
Though I didn’t give birth to him, I raised him. He was with me from the time he was four years old.
My memories of Keondre replay over and over again. I remember his bright spirit. How he was always helping me with my bags, joining the community clean-up crew, tutoring his younger cousins, teaching kids how to play basketball. Keondre was a stellar student. He had no prior criminal trouble.
Keondre was a light that brought joy to others. He was raised by a village of aunts, sisters, uncles, and family friends who loved him. Yet that could not keep him safe.
And I am not alone in this. Far too many mothers and parents are losing their children to this numbing violence. Everyday there is another report of a fatal shooting of a young person. Of another bullet that has destroyed countless lives.
The pain of these losses will stay with me for the rest of my life. But, with support, I have been able to find ways to cope.
To talk through my feelings in-depth, I turned to Safe Horizon, the nation’s largest victim services agency, for grief counseling. I was introduced to a social worker, Grace, who I can call anytime. She has always been there whenever I need her. Grace’s genuine interest in me and my healing has built a relationship that makes me feel that she is here for me.
Grief counseling has helped me so much that I find myself offering what I have learned to others. In addition to counseling, Grace helped me access victim services for help with funeral expenses and also helped with navigating many difficult processes. I want others who have lost loved ones to gun violence to know this kind of support is available, free of charge.
I want people to know that it’s OK to reach out for help when you are hurting. Especially for people of color, we have a stigma in our communities about counseling and therapy. Don’t let that stop you from getting the help you need.
You do not have to feel ashamed or embarrassed about asking for help. When we feel like we already take on the weight of the world, this cannot be another thing to handle on our own.
And we have to take care of ourselves so that we can keep fighting for our community. Because I get the support I need, I have the strength to keep going. As long as there is breath in my body, I will use Keondre as a vessel to save other young men in this community. And I will keep reaching out for the help I need to do that.
I will never get Keondre back, and that will never stop hurting. But, with help, I can regain some of the joy that he, and his memories, brought to my life.
***
Heather Colbourne lost her son in November 2021. She lives on Staten Island and is a community advocate for survivors in the fight to eradicate gun violence. Safe Horizon is the nation’s largest victims service agency. If you have lost a loved one to gun violence in New York City, call 1-800-621-HELP (4357).
Read the original article here.
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
By Brooklyn Eagle Staff
August 29, 2022
Excerpt:
The Administration for Children’s Services announced on Monday an expansion of the “A Safe Way Forward” program, which seeks to provide support to the survivors of domestic violence and intimate partner violence, along with the “persons causing harm” and their children.
Previously, the project offered services to families in The Bronx and Staten Island. The ACS is now partnering with three providers and will expand to serve families in Brooklyn through MercyFirst.
Other contractors partnering with the ACS through the expansion include Safe Horizon in Staten Island and the Children’s Aid Society location itself in The Bronx.“In our mission to protect children and support families, ACS and our partners are working to address the root causes of family violence while we help survivors and children stay safe. That’s why ‘A Safe Way Forward’ provides services to survivors of intimate partner violence and the children in the household, including information about how to make an effective safety plan, as well as interventions for the persons causing harm so that they can work towards changing their behavior and end the cycle of violence,” said Commissioner Jess Dannhauser.
In 2019, A Safe Way Forward was launched for specifically families receiving court-ordered supervision. According to the ACS, the program was launched over 12 months of research including interviews with over 100 national experts and close collaboration with the Mayor’s office.
The program offers case planning therapeutic services to the survivor, children and person causing harm. The person causing harm being involved, if safe to do so, provides them a greater opportunity to “learn more about the triggers and how their behavior is impacting the family,” according to the ACS.
The goal of the program is to interrupt the intergenerational impact that domestic violence can have on families, specifically to create behavior change and protect the survivor and children. An evaluation by Westat, a research corporation, found that people involved in the program yields positive results and high levels of satisfaction.
February 2021
By Michelle Lawrence
Black History Month is traditionally a time to reflect on our history which is full of triumph amid centuries of struggle. Although there is no way to avoid the hurt and pain that we have experienced and continue to experience, we need to uplift Black joy and insist on more moments of Trauma-free Blackness to celebrate ourselves and to heal our hearts, bodies, and souls.
February 16, 2021
Contact: communications@safehorizon.org, 646-306-1136
Roberts brings a decade of experience at Safe Horizon and a 30-year career in victim services
NEW YORK – Safe Horizon, the nation’s largest victim services agency, announced Liz Roberts as its fourth Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Roberts most recently served as Safe Horizon’s interim CEO following the departure of long-time CEO, Ariel Zwang. Roberts will be the agency’s fourth CEO.
Roberts has been with Safe Horizon for a decade. She initially joined Safe Horizon as its Chief Program Officer, then assumed the role of Deputy CEO. Before joining Safe Horizon, Roberts served as Deputy Commissioner for Family Support Services at the city’s Administration for Children’s Services. Her 34-year career in victim services began as a domestic violence hotline worker.
“Safe Horizon provides life-saving support to New Yorkers every single day, and it deserves a leader worthy of that mission. Liz will be that leader,” said Board Chair Mike Slocum. “Her experience, leadership abilities, expertise, and compassion ensure that Safe Horizon will continue to serve victims in need with excellence.”
“I have dedicated my entire adult life to helping victims of violence find support and healing. There isn’t an organization in the world that does that better than Safe Horizon. I am honored to have the responsibility of leading this incredible organization,” said Roberts.
Elected and Appointed Officials Congratulate Liz Roberts
New York City Councilmember Helen Rosenthal said, “I commend the Board of Directors at Safe Horizon for selecting Liz Roberts to be the new CEO. She brings many decades of experience advocating for victims of child abuse, domestic violence and other crimes, and is deeply committed to building safer communities, fighting for social justice and advancing racial equity. I have relied on Safe Horizon over the years to respond to constituent needs, provide expert testimony before the City Council and help shape critical legislation, and I look forward to continuing this partnership with Liz at the organization’s helm.”
New York State Office of Victim Services Director, Elizabeth Cronin, said, “The Office of Victim Services proudly supports the work of Safe Horizon, one of more than 200 community-based programs funded by OVS that provide critical services to victims of crime and their families in New York City and across the state. The agency will be well served with Liz Roberts at the helm. We look forward to continuing our partnership and building on our work to ensure that victims and survivors have access to help and support whenever they need it.”
Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte said, “When I cast my vote for the Child Victims Act in January 2019, a bill that expanded access to the courts for survivors of child abuse, I took the opportunity to share with my colleagues in the legislature that I, too, was a survivor and that this legislation was deeply personal. With the help of the team at Safe Horizon, I helped spread the word to New Yorkers across the state that survivors now had greater access to justice. This morning’s announcement that Safe Horizon’s Board of Directors selected a lifelong advocate in Liz Roberts to be their new CEO assures me that this organization will continue to be a relentless fighter for justice and for safer communities. I congratulate Liz and look forward to continuing our important work together.”
Senator Brad Hoylman said, “I have had the honor and privilege of partnering with Safe Horizon over the years to pass landmark legislation including the Child Victims Act with Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal which reformed New York’s antiquated statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual
abuse. Today’s announcement that their Board of Directors has selected Liz Roberts to be the organization’s new CEO is great news for the victim advocacy movement. Liz brings decades of experience fighting on behalf of victims of child abuse, domestic violence and other crimes. I look forward to working with Liz and her team to build safe communities throughout New York.”
Susan Herman, Director of the Mayor’s Office of ThriveNYC, said, “Liz Roberts is a thoughtful, nationally regarded leader who sets high standards for quality victim services. She is the perfect choice to usher in the next chapter of Safe Horizon’s great work on behalf of victims of crime in New York City. I have no doubt she will be as bold and creative as these challenging times require.”
Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Social Services, said, “Congratulations to Liz Roberts on being named Safe Horizon’s Chief Executive Officer. Safe Horizon’s dynamic advocacy is needed now more than ever. Liz has a deep well of knowledge and experience that will ensure Safe Horizon continues its long tradition of dogged advocacy on behalf of victims and survivors. I worked closely with Safe Horizon for years as it helped lead the charge to pass the Child Victims Act in New York, and I look forward to our continued partnership, with Liz now capably at the helm.”
New York City Councilmember Stephen Levin said, “now more than ever before, we need strong and capable leadership in our social services providers – especially in those dealing with trauma. It is critical that we build and restore trust with the communities we all work to serve. I applaud the decision of the Board of Directors of Safe Horizon for selecting Liz Roberts to be the new Chief Executive Officer. Her decades of experience advocating for families, for victims of child abuse and supporting policy makes her a champion in her work and in this collective all-hands-on-deck effort. I welcome this move and congratulate Ms. Roberts on her new position.”
Cecile Noel, Commissioner, NYC Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence, said, “Liz’s extraordinary expertise and deep commitment to survivors inspire those of us in this field daily. As the City recovers from the pandemic, Safe Horizon will play a critical role in addressing the health, safety and wellbeing of vulnerable families and individuals. I can think of no one better than Liz to safeguard Safe Horizon’s mission.”
Assembly Member Catalina Cruz said, “During my tenure in the State Assembly, we have passed many important bills that have a deep impact on New Yorkers in my district and across the state. One of those bills – the Child Victims Act, which increased avenues to justice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse – was important not just to my constituents but to me personally. I am a survivor, and with the help of Safe Horizon I have told my story and encouraged others to do the same. Today’s announcement that the Board of Directors has selected Liz Roberts to be their new CEO fills me with joy, as I know that she has spent her entire professional career advocating on behalf of victims of violence and abuse. I congratulate Liz and look forward to continuing to partner with Safe Horizon to help create safer communities for all New Yorkers.”
New York City Councilmember Vanessa L. Gibson, Co-Chair of the NYC Council Women`s Caucus, said, “Congratulations to Liz Roberts on her appointment as the new Safe Horizon CEO. She had the arduous task of leading Safe Horizon as interim CEO during a tremulous time in our city’s history as we continued to combat a global health crisis. The need for support was great prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is even more imperative that we have resources in place for survivors and other vulnerable populations. I look forward to our continued work together in her new position providing support for New Yorkers.”
New York City Councilmember Farah N. Louis, Co-Chair of the New York City Council Women`s Caucus, said, “For over a decade, Liz Roberts has been an advocate for survivors of abuse and gender-based violence. Her years of experience, dedication, and proven leadership before and during the COVID-19 pandemic are vital to the continuity of services from Safe Horizon for thousands of families across our city. This organization has been an invaluable resource for my constituents in District 45 as well as the
New York City Council Women’s Caucus. Congratulations and thank you for your continued partnership as the new CEO.”
Safe Horizon helps 250,000 New Yorkers a year who are victims of crime or abuse find safety, support, hope, and connection.
About Safe Horizon
Established in 1978, Safe Horizon is the largest non-profit victim services agency in the United States. It touches the lives of more than 250,000 children, adults, and families affected by crime and abuse throughout New York City each year. Safe Horizon envisions a society free of family and community violence, leading the way by empowering victims of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking to move from crisis to confidence. Safe Horizon’s mission is to provide support, prevent violence and promote justice for victims of crime and abuse, their families, and communities. For more information, please visit safehorizon.org.
October 19, 2020
Contact: communications@safehorizon.org, 646-306-1136
NEW YORK – Safe Horizon, the nation’s largest victim services agency, announced Liz Roberts as interim Chief Executive Officer.
Roberts has served Safe Horizon for a decade, first as Chief Program Officer and since 2014 as Deputy CEO. Prior to joining Safe Horizon, Roberts served as Deputy Commissioner, Family Support Services at the city’s Administration for Child Services. Roberts began her 30-year career in victim’s services as a domestic violence hotline worker.
Roberts will lead Safe Horizon on an interim basis while the organization conducts an open search for a new CEO.
The organization’s current CEO, Ariel Zwang, is departing at the end of the year to join the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, commonly known as the JDC, as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Safe Horizon is the nation’s largest victim services agency. Safe Horizon helps 250,000 New Yorkers a year who are victims of crime or abuse find safety, support, hope, and connection.
“I am so grateful for the 12 and a half years I spent with Safe Horizon,” said Zwang. “The commitment and excellence of my colleagues inspired me every day. I have complete confidence that Safe Horizon will continue to provide the highest levels of support to victims in need for decades to come.”
“This city needs Safe Horizon now more than ever. Liz’s deep knowledge of Safe Horizon and expertise on supporting victims will allow her to lead with continuity during the time of transition,” said Board Chair Mike Slocum. “We are lucky to have had the benefit of Ariel’s skills and leadership for so many years. We all wish her extremely well in her next chapter.”
“Safe Horizon’s work saves lives in New York City every day,” said Roberts. “Every year, we help 250,000 New Yorkers who have experienced crime or abuse find safety, support, hope, and connection. That work will continue. I’m honored to be a part of that and to help lead the organization forward.”
The Safe Horizon CEO search committee is working with the global executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles and its social impact executive search practice, which specializes in helping philanthropy, government, higher education, academic and non-profit clients find new leadership.
Safe Horizon is committed to an open process. Those interested in applying should contact SafeHorizonCEO@Heidrick.com.
About Safe Horizon
Established in 1978, Safe Horizon is the largest non-profit victim services agency in the United States. It touches the lives of more than 250,000 children, adults, and families affected by crime and abuse throughout New York City each year. Safe Horizon envisions a society free of family and community violence, leading the way by empowering victims of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking to move from crisis to confidence. Safe Horizon’s mission is to provide support, prevent violence and promote justice for victims of crime and abuse, their families, and communities. For more information please visit safehorizon.org.