Safe Harbor: Hubertine’s Story

Safe

Hubertine fled from her home with only her insulin and the clothes that she was wearing when she left. She was looking for a place to be safe. That’s what staff like Adriene Atkinson (pictured above) offered her at Safe Harbor, the area’s only domestic violence emergency shelter…a safe place and the support she needed to become a domestic violence survivor.

Hubertine’s experience of domestic violence included being subjected to emotionally abusive comments in addition to physical abuse such as hitting and shoving.  Her situation had become so damaging that she found herself wondering if murdering her partner would be her only means of escape from her abusive environment. The day she decided to leave, she first found refuge by hiding in a friend’s hotel room, afraid to even look out the window.  A 911 call connected her to Safe Harbor and they sent a police escort to accompany her safely to emergency shelter.

Safe Harbor continued to aid Hubertine in her journey of domestic abuse survival; they provided her with all of the clothes and groceries that she needed. Ashley, her advocate, helped her with immigration issues which included securing legal assistance. Safe harbor helped Hubertine find her current home where she has been living for the last three years. They provided financial help by covering her first and last month's rent installment as well as paying for half of her rent and utility bills for the first nine months. She was also given a “starter pack” gift card which enabled her to purchase ingredients for Caribbean food to cook and sell as a source of additional income. 

Beyond the support Safe Harbor provided by offering shelter and financial aid, they acted as an emotional support system as well. Hubertine was finally able to feel safe. Adriene Atkinson who works at Safe Harbor as a Housing Assistance Program Manager would sit and listen to Hubertine and offer help in any way that she could. 

“Adriene (pictured above) was like a therapist, a shoulder to lean on,” shared Hubertine.

Safe Harbor recognizes that homelessness is a complex problem. It often takes multiple resources and services in order for someone to exit the experience of homelessness. After surviving domestic violence, Hubertine needed to start over, which called for emergency housing, legal assistance, financial assistance for upfront permanent housing expenses, emotional support, and initial kitchen supplies for her home.  This support is only possible when communities work together to provide a system of support.

South Carolina ranks seventh among all states with respect to the percentage of females who experienced intimate partner violence at some point during their lifetimes. Approximately 42% of females and 29% of males in South Carolina, are expected to experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes at least one time.

Greenville County often has the highest number of reported domestic violence incidents in South Carolina. Safe Harbor is working to build a new emergency shelter that will have 56 beds to increase its capacity.  

To learn more about Safe Harbor, visit https://www.safeharborsc.org/

If you are interested in seeking emergency shelter or just want to ask questions and learn more about what we do, please call our 24/7 line at 1.800.291.2139 (press “1” to speak with someone.) Please note it may take several rings for someone to answer your call, as Safe Harbor reports they often experience a high call volume. If you are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and would like to call the Help Line, call 711 (Relay SC) and tell the operator to call 1-800-291-2139, to speak with someone at their Help Line.