Safe Passage reports higher bed‑night usage and requests continued support for shelter and mobile advocacy

Kim Bowman and Fran Edwards of Safe Passage told the Jefferson County Council that the organization operates a 20‑bed residential shelter (located in Ripley County) and provided services to 21 residential clients from Jefferson County in 2025, including 11 children, for a total of 837 shelter nights — a 117% increase in bed nights from Jefferson County compared with 2024. They said the majority of clients receive community‑based (nonresidential) services and that the group logged 168 Jefferson County crisis‑line calls last year.

Safe Passage representatives described mobile advocacy, court accompaniment, and prevention programming delivered in schools and community settings; they said all services are free to clients and that the organization is adapting to statewide funding cuts by expanding fundraising and community partnerships. The presenters asked the council for continued county support and described ongoing work to build housing partnerships to help survivors secure stable housing after shelter stays.

Council members thanked Safe Passage for their work; there was no vote or appropriation at the meeting.