About Us

Every day, we meet parents and caregivers looking for answers, support, and information.

We help parents find glasses for their son, or a counselor for their teenage daughter. We help a grandfather find a playgroup for his granddaughter.

We help folks fill out applications for low-income housing and show them ways to increase their credit score. Sometimes we help find funds to pay utility bills; we email a document; we search the web; we make an appointment. We give away gently used clothing. We provide toiletries to homeless students. We offer fresh produce from our garden.

There are times when a parent or caregiver arrives with issues that need special attention. Those are the families that visit us often. They become part of our community.

Our story began when a group of community members led by Sally Bates recognized the need for a family resource center. In 1996, we opened our door and begin offering support to families with funding from a Healthy Start grant.

Like our founders, we believe our services and programs help children improve their chances of success in school and discover opportunities later in life. Our goal is to create a community filled with nurturing families—happy and successful children, parents, and caregivers. When we strengthen families, by offering a place to start and an open door, we strengthen the entire community.

Please support our community by donating today.

MOSAIC

Karen McDonell, who passed away in March 2017, created the mosaic around the front door at Safe Passage. An accomplished artist, she shared her love of creating art with middle and high school students. Local students helped Karen complete this vibrantly colored frame, a beautiful addition to our entrance.

During the 2015/2016 fiscal year, funding came from

County contracts (37%)

Grants (17%)

Earned income (14%)

Support pass-through for needy families (10%)

Fort Bragg Unified School District (9%)

State contracts (7%)

Fundraising (6%)

How do we use those funds?

We offer a variety of programs and classes, and we assist families with many different issues related to housing, food, and other needs.

Most of our classes are free, and we provide childcare at no charge to the parents and caregivers who attend.

You do not need to be a legal U.S. resident to receive services from Safe Passage. We do our best to help everyone who comes to us—regardless of income level.

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Who We Are

Laura Welter

Laura is our executive director. She has worked with nonprofits in the Fort Bragg community for over 30 years. Laura does a whole lot of everything at Safe Passage. She also supports and maintains good relationships with our many community partners.

Direct: 961-3605

E-mail: safepass@mcn.org

Laura Erskine

Our case manager, Laura E., provides information and referrals to public programs and community resources, and she helps caregivers and parents fill out forms and applications. She is a nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and trains parents how to properly install car seats and provides car seat safety checks.

Direct: 961-3603

E-mail: safepas2@mcn.org

Jaunda Brown

With the addition of Jaunda, we now have a second case manager to provide information and referrals for public programs and other community resources. Jaunda has many years of experience working with families on housing and mental health issues.

Direct: 961-3604

E-mail: jaunda.safepassage@mcn.org

Elena Gonzalez

Elena, our receptionist, answers the phone and welcomes people when they walk through our door. She is bilingual and offers application assistance and translation services in English and Spanish.

Direct: 964-3077
E-mail: elena_16@live.com

Anne Harvey

Anne is our Latino family advocate. She assists our Spanish-speaking parents and caregivers.

Direct: 961-3602
E-mail: safepassage.anne@mcn.org

Irene Malone

Irene hosts a bimonthly support group at Safe Passage for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren.

Direct: 964-1931

E-mail: irenelsm@mcn.org

Jade Aldrich

Jade Aldrich, our young children’s family advocate, teaches Safe Passage’s Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) classes, and works two days a week, providing information and support to pregnant women and parents of young children. She hosts a breastfeeding support group each week. You can also find her at the Fort Bragg Farmers Market painting faces.

Direct: 961-3601

E-mail: jade.safepassage@mcn.org

our Board of Directors

The Board of Directors meets on the second Thursday of every month at noon at the Safe Passage office. The public is welcome to attend.

Paula Cohen

Director of Mendocino Coast Clinics (Retired)

JoAnn Fairall

English Learners and Curriculum Coordinator at Fort Bragg Unified School District

Chloe Reed

Director at Montessori del Mar Learning Center

Faith Simon

Family Nurse Practitioner at Fort Bragg Rural Health Center

Kristy Tanguay

Fund Developer for Parents and Friends, Inc.

Our Partners

We are grateful for support from our many funding and community partners.

funding partners

Asset Forfeiture Fund
Community Foundation of Mendocino County
Department of Developmental Services
FIRST 5 Mendocino
Fort Bragg Unified School District
James G. Cummings Foundation
Mendocino Coast Child Abuse Prevention Council
Mendocino County Health and Human Services Agency, Social Services Division and Public Health Division
Ray Solem Foundation