The Center for Hope & Safety (CHS) is the longest-running crisis line for sexual assault and domestic violence victims in Oregon. Since beginning as a rape crisis hotline in 1973, they have made over 500,000 contacts either through the hotline, in person, or directly within the communities of Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties. In the 1990s, volunteers formed Sable House in Polk County and Henderson House in Yamhill County with the help of CHS.
Over the years, the Center for Hope & Safety has expanded from a hotline to providing a safe environment for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and human trafficking in Marion County. They continue to grow as a safe, nondenominational refuge for survivors, working with people of any race, color, religion, or sexual orientation.
How the Center for Hope & Safety Began
A group of volunteers saw the need for a rape and sexual assault crisis line in 1973. Operating under the name of the Mid-Valley Women’s Crisis Services, they raised the money and set up their first crisis line, which expanded from 112 calls the first year to over 5,800 calls by the eighth year. Begun by volunteers, CHS remains a largely volunteer-dependent service to the women and children of Marion County.
As more and more women called the crisis center, the volunteers needed to expand their knowledge and resources to include offering help to victims of domestic violence, eventually raising funds to acquire an emergency shelter, a decades-old house hosting upwards of 20 people a day, every day of the year.
What CHS Provides Survivors Today
Aside from generous donations from the community, the Center for Hope & Safety receives funds from various local, state, and federal government programs. Through these donations, CHS has been able to expand its housing opportunities for victims of sexual and/or domestic violence, stalking, and human trafficking. Their newest project is HOPE Plaza, a new building that will provide housing, create job opportunities, and build community relationships for those whom CHS serves.
CHS still provides safehouse shelters for those in danger, a 24-hour hotline, support groups, court advocacy, and kennel facilities for the pets of the victims seeking refuge. The shelter CHS provides is either in a communal living environment with security measures or an entirely secret location, depending on the individual situation. No time limit is set on the use of the confidential shelter, and service animals are allowed in the rooms.
After assuring that the family in crisis is in a safe location, CHS offers help in filing restraining orders and attending court proceedings when needed. The Center for Hope & Safety maintains bilingual advocates so that in English or Spanish, they can provide self-sufficiency guidance and child welfare services. From June of 2022 to June of 2023, CHS saw 4,000 unique survivors and provided shelter to 12,000 individuals.
Each person who comes to the center for help has their own needs. Through the CHS volunteer and employee efforts and generous donations from the community, the Center for Hope & Safety can provide or help find whatever the person in crisis might need to become self-sufficient. From job-related specialized gear or certification to interview-ready clothing, CHS can brainstorm with the person in crisis to get them on track toward safely caring for themselves and their family.
HOPE Plaza – Designed for Healing
HOPE Plaza is a building adjacent to the CHS office on Center Street. It is three stories tall, providing everything from emergency shelter to transitional housing to permanent housing for survivors. The top two floors offer affordable housing with studio apartments as well as one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, and the first floor will showcase commercial tenants who will partner with CHS and provide jobs and job training to survivors. HOPE Plaza will provide a boutique to help the residents dress for job interviews, a community room and training center, and an open-air atrium.
Center For Hope & Safety
605 Center Street NE
503.378.1572
info@hopeandsafety.org
Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hotline: 503.399.7722 or 1.866.399.7722 (24 hours)
Other Women and Family Aid Providers in Marion County
Grace House
1243 Peace Street SE, Salem
971.600.3627
info@ghsalem.com
Women at the Well Grace House is a faith-based home for homeless and disadvantaged women without dependents.
St. Francis
1820 Berry Street SE, Salem
503.588.0428
office@sfssalem.org
Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
St. Francis has been helping Salem area families find safe, stable housing for over 35 years.
Simonka Place for Women & Children
5119 River Road N., Keizer
503.967.6388 (press 3)
kdara@ugmsalem.org
Simonka Place for Women & Children has been a ministry of the Union Gospel Mission since 1968. It was the first such ministry on the West Coast.
All of the organizations mentioned welcome donations. Follow the links provided to their website for donation opportunities, or call the phone number for more information. Statewide rape and abuse information is available in the Secretary of State’s advisory report.
