Erin House said that the Child & Family Services' Safe Haven Supervised Visitation and Exchange Program is looking for new sources of revenue after losing its federal funding.
 
Erin, a former prosecutor all too familiar with domestic violence, explained the importance of supervised visitation and safe child exchanges.  Since 2004 Safe Haven has provided a vital service for more than 900 battered mothers and 1,200 children in northern Michigan, facilitating over 25,000 supervised visits and exchanges.  At any particular time safe Haven provides service for 5-10 Benzie County families.  Without a program such as that provided by Safe Haven, child exchanges typically place in public parking lots or private homes--both dangerous options.
 
While Safe Haven also accepts families on a voluntary basis, most referrals are mandated by courts or other agencies.  It is the only program of its kind in northern Michigan.  If the program closes, families from our area will be required to drive to Grand Rapids or Bay City.  Should Sunrise Rotary agree to support Safe Haven, it could earmark its donated funds to be used only for Benzie County families.