About SafeNest

Tracing roots back to 1977, our past, present and future are focused on ending domestic and sexual violence.

SafeNest has been at the forefront of ending domestic and sexual violence in Southern Nevada for 44 years. What sets us apart is the commitment to treating the entire continuum of violence from prevention to protection to empowerment. We not only provide a discreet, safe shelter for victims of abuse, but SafeNest is also the only nonprofit in the Valley to provide resources for batterers to address the cycle of abuse at the root.

Our 10 locations in Clark County are placed where victims, children and batterers need services the most. Our services include:

24/7 crisis hotline
Emergency shelter
Transitional housing
Counseling
Court support
Advocacy

Across all programs, SafeNest provides direct services to clients across Clark County. Tracing roots back to 1977, our past, present and future are focused on ending domestic and sexual violence.

Today, SafeNest continues to innovate and grow under the leadership of Liz Ortenburger, chief executive officer, and the commitment of 82 dedicated full and part time staff.

173,962

Services and Programs Delivered

23,090

Hotline callers assisted and provided with counseling and other services

46,420

Shelter and housing services provided

4,236

Survivors assisted through criminal and civil court proceedings

Learn more about our mission, our vision, and our impact in the community.

Issues and Impact

Prevent

Beyond serving our community through advocacy and awareness, we provide workplace education and training, batterer’s treatment and youth programs designed to break the cycle of violence and PREVENT abuse before it starts.

Protect

We PROTECT survivors through our crisis services including 24/7 crisis hotline, legal advocacy, emergency shelter, counseling and additional confidential services.

Empower

Through counseling, transitional housing, employment assistance and more, we work to EMPOWER survivors with the resources, tools and confidence they need to move forward with their lives.

History

Tracing our roots back to 1977, SafeNest was incorporated as “Temporary Assistance for Women (TAW)” when the agency opened the first shelter house for abused women and children in Southern Nevada and launched the 24-hour crisis hotline.

Over the next 20 years, with the help of individual donations, legislation, and state-wide partnerships, TAW was able to add more shelters, open donation and counseling centers, provide critical legal assistance and expand programming.

In 1996, TAW adopted the name “SafeNest” and opened additional offices in Laughlin, Mesquite and Boulder City.

Today SafeNest is continuing to innovate and grow under the leadership of Liz Ortenburger, Chief Executive Officer. SafeNest has a staff of 82 full and part-time staff dedicated to creating social change and preventing domestic violence in Clark County.

1977

SafeNest begins its incorporated existence as “Temporary Assistance for Women” (TAW).

1978

SafeNest opens the first shelter in Southern Nevada for abused women and children and launches the 24-hour Hotline.

1979

Estelle Murphy is hired as Executive Director, a position she holds for the next 38 years.

1981

The Nevada Legislature votes to allocate $5 from each marriage license to fund domestic violence programs, providing base funding for organizations such as TAW.

1982

The new shelter opens, with capacity for 27 beds for women and children. TAW opens a counseling office and starts offering services for both victims and batterers.

1991

TADC acquires a second shelter property expanding capacity to 42 beds.

1993

With funding from the NV Law Foundation, TADC hires advocates to work full-time assisting victims with protection orders at the newly-opened Family Court.

1994

Youth Education programs begin in the schools with dating violence prevention classes for teens and age-appropriate conflict resolution for younger children.

1996

TADC adopts the “DBA” name “Safe Nest” and promotes the name publicly. Safe Nest opens a  shelter in North Las Vegas expanding housing capacity to 67 beds.

1997

SafeNest opens additional counseling offices to serve Laughlin, Mesquite & Boulder City. The Violence Against Women Act funds SafeNest’s Crisis Response Team to work with LV police

1998

With funding from the Andre Agassi Foundation, SafeNest starts a partnership with Child Protection Services (CPS) to go out on CPS calls involving domestic violence and children.

1999

SafeNest expands its partnership with the Las Vegas police by hiring victim advocates to work with the police departments in North Las Vegas, Boulder City and Mesquite.

2002

SafeNest shelter expands to over 100 beds, with the completion of its new building, funded by Clark County CDBG funds (Community Development Block Funds from HUD).

2006

SafeNest launches its first Capital Campaign in its 30-year history. Mutual of America Foundation recognizes SafeNest with the Community Partnership award for its innovation.

2008

SafeNest partners with the County District Attorney’s (DA) office by placing two Domestic Violence advocates at the DA’s office.

2009

SafeNest partners with the Las Vegas Metro Police Department to implement the Lethality Assessment Project.

2010

SafeNest secures a 5-acre parcel at Smoke Ranch & Decatur for a future Services Center.

2012

SafeNest celebrates 35 years of service.

2015

The Women’s Health Association of Southern Nevada (WHASN) establishes patient screening for domestic violence abuse.

2016

Development and launch of the SafeNest Teen Dating Violence Campaign.

2017

SafeNest celebrates 40 years of service & moves to the new location on Meadows Lane. Estelle Murphy retires after 38 years of service. Liz Ortenburger assumes the role of CEO.

Partners & Sponsors

Your partnership with SafeNest makes all the difference. We will work with your company, organization, or foundation to find the right partnership for your philanthropic goals while helping fulfill our mission to end domestic and sexual violence.

Meet our Partners

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