What A Safe Place does

A Safe Place (legal entity: Lake County Crisis Center for the Prevention & Treatment of Domestic Violence Inc.) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1984 and headquartered in Zion, Illinois. It is the only organization in Lake County, IL — and one of the few in the surrounding Lake, McHenry, Kenosha, and northern Cook counties region — dedicated exclusively to supporting survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. The organization operates an integrated, end-to-end service platform spanning a 24/7 bilingual (English/Spanish) crisis line, a confidential 33-bed emergency shelter, scattered-site transitional and permanent supportive housing, a Crisis Response co-responder program dispatched alongside law enforcement, an embedded Court Advocacy office at the 19th Judicial Circuit Courthouse (D100, operating since 1984), a Family Visitation Center in Mundelein, individual and group counseling, children's counseling with art therapy, and youth prevention programming. Specialized sub-programs include the IPDAV batterer intervention program, the bilingual La Paloma program for Latina survivors, the Y.E.A.H. youth empowerment program, and the Safe Paws pet care program (launched August 2023).

The technology stack is a standard nonprofit configuration — WordPress/Elementor website, Paylocity HR/recruiting, Microsoft Forms for housing intake, iCalendar feeds, Auctria for event ticketing, and integration with the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) online training platform for ICDVP certification — with no proprietary AI/ML or API surface. The revenue model is donation-dependent: individual one-time and planned gifts, the tiered Purple Ribbon Society monthly giving program ($20-$300/month), workplace giving and matching gifts, special events (EmpoweRun 5K, Unmask the Violence Gala, Wine Women & Shoes, Golf Outing, etc.), corporate Universal Sponsorships, government and foundation grants, and a fee-based 40-hour ICDVP-approved domestic violence training ($450 per external participant). All direct survivor services are delivered free of charge.

A Safe Place is governed by a Board of Directors with executive representation from AbbVie, Cognizant, Elevance Health, First Bank Chicago, ProPharma, Mercedes-Benz at Autohaus, and other major Lake County-area employers, and operates with 51-100 employees supplemented by 10,400+ annual volunteer hours. The organization is currently navigating a $2M funding cut reported in 2025 (per Fox 32 Chicago), a material headwind to a previously stable operating base, while continuing to expand its satellite care-group footprint and partner ecosystem (most recently with the Gabby Petito Foundation).

Name

A Safe Place

Legal name

Lake County Crisis Center for the Prevention & Treatment of Domestic Violence Inc.

Website

https://asafeplaceforhelp.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

A Safe Place is a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 1984 and headquartered in Zion, Illinois, providing the only Lake County organization dedicated exclusively to free domestic violence and human trafficking services — shelter, housing, counseling, court advocacy, and crisis response — for survivors and their families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Domestic Violence Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Legal Aid) (BPADADAH)

Keywords

• Domestic violence services
• Human trafficking support
• Crisis intervention shelter
• Survivor counseling advocacy
• Emergency housing assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Zion

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time tax-deductible contributions accepted online, by mail, by phone, via donor-advised funds, charitable giving platforms, 401(k) contributions, and stock donations. Anonymous giving is supported. A Safe Place is a recognized 501(c)3 under Lake County Crisis Center for the Prevention & Treatment of Domestic Violence Inc.
2. Monthly Giving – Purple Ribbon Society: Recurring monthly donations charged automatically to a donor's credit/debit card. Tiered impact levels: $20/mo funds 24 hours of crisis line services; $45/mo funds one day of court advocacy for 10 victims; $75/mo funds 8 weeks of group therapy for 5-10 individuals; $100/mo funds 6 weeks of art therapy for 3 children; $200/mo funds a year of safe family visits; $300/mo funds a year of services for a family of 4.
3. Planned Giving / Legacy Gifts: Charitable bequests, gifts of retirement plans, gifts by will or trust, gifts of life insurance, and gifts of appreciated stock, bonds, or mutual funds. Donations are fully tax-deductible.
4. Honor & Memorial Gifts: Tribute donations in honor or memory of a loved one, with acknowledgement letter/email sent to the designee; donation amount kept confidential unless requested.
5. Workplace Giving & Matching Gifts: Corporate financial contributions, event sponsorship, program grants, in-kind donation drives, employee volunteer groups, and employer matching gift programs that can double or triple the impact of employee donations.
6. Special Events Fundraising: Annual events including the EmpoweRun 5K, Unmask the Violence Gala, Golf Outing, Wine Women & Shoes, Candle Lighting, Improv Playhouse Theater event, and EmpoweRally Volleyball Tournament. Sponsorship packages, ticket sales, and in-kind contributions are primary revenue drivers.
7. 40-Hour Domestic Violence Training Fees: $450 total for external participants — $250 paid to ICADV for online modules and $200 paid to A Safe Place for the in-person portion. Financial hardship waivers and discounts available.
8. In-Kind Donations: Donations of client necessities, gift cards, pet care items, furniture, and household goods, coordinated through an In-Kind Donation Specialist and Amazon/Chewy wish lists.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

A Safe Place operates an integrated, non-profit service platform delivering the full continuum of domestic violence and human trafficking response in Lake County, Illinois. Its offerings span 24/7 bilingual crisis intervention, confidential emergency shelter, transitional and permanent supportive housing, individual and group counseling (including children's art therapy), embedded court advocacy at the 19th Circuit Courthouse, supervised family visitation, batterer intervention, youth prevention education, and ICDVP-approved professional training.

Product overview

A Safe Place operates an integrated, non-profit service platform — not a modular SaaS product — that delivers the full continuum of domestic violence and human trafficking response in Lake County, Illinois. The core crisis-access offering is the 24-Hour Crisis Line, which feeds survivors into Emergency Shelter, Crisis Response Services, Court Advocacy, and the Family Visitation Center as the operational entry points. From there, the platform extends into longer-term support modules: the Housing Program (transitional, scattered-site, and permanent supportive housing), Individual Counseling, Group Support and Women's Care Groups, and Children's Counseling with Art Therapy. Specialized sub-programs sit alongside these, including the Y.E.A.H. youth empowerment program, the La Paloma bilingual Latina program, and the Safe Paws pet-shelter program. Accountability and prevention work are provided through IPDAV (the abuser intervention program) and Community Outreach and Education (including Teen Talk), while the 40-Hour Domestic Violence Training and Professional Training offerings certify external professionals via ICDVP-approved curriculum. Together these named programs form a single coordinated platform of crisis intervention, shelter, recovery, prevention, and professional training services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IPDAV (Intervention Program for Domestic Abuse and Violence): Founded in 1984, the Intervention Program for Domestic Abuse and Violence (IPDAV) holds individuals who use abuse accountable through a state-certified intervention program in Illinois.
• Court Advocacy Program (D100)
• La Paloma Program
• Y.E.A.H. (Youth Empowerment and Healing)
• Safe Paws
• Purple Ribbon Society

Products and services

• 24-Hour Crisis Line Round-the-clock telephone crisis intervention service for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, staffed continuously by A Safe Place advocates; available 24/7/365 in English and Spanish at 1-800-600-SAFE (7233).
• Crisis Response Services In-person crisis response and advocacy for survivors at hospitals, police departments, and courts, providing immediate safety planning and emotional support; includes a 24/7 mobile co-responder model dispatched in tandem with law enforcement.
• Emergency Shelter Confidential 33-bed emergency residential shelter for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking and their children, providing on-site advocacy, meals, clothing, basic needs, and case management for stays of up to three months.
• Housing Program Long-term housing stability services including scattered-site, transitional, and permanent supportive housing options for survivors moving out of emergency shelter, with case management and supportive services.
• Court Advocacy (D100) Advocate accompaniment and support for survivors navigating Orders of Protection and civil/criminal court proceedings, with an embedded office at the 19th Circuit Courthouse and virtual filing supported via Zoom.
• Individual Counseling One-on-one trauma-informed counseling provided by licensed clinicians to adult survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking.
• Group Support and Women's Care Groups Facilitated peer-support and therapeutic groups for adult survivors, including dedicated women's care group programming such as "Finding Hope."
• Children's Counseling and Art Therapy Age-appropriate counseling for child witnesses of domestic violence, incorporating expressive art therapy modalities to support healing, served via support groups in Waukegan, Mundelein, and Zion.
• Family Visitation Center Court-ordered supervised visitations and monitored custody exchanges in a safe environment for families affected by domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, stalking, or substance use/mental health challenges.
• IPDAV (Intervention Program for Domestic Abuse and Violence) Structured 24-26 week group intervention program for perpetrators of domestic violence, with lethality assessments, weekly journal reviews, batterer compliance checks, and status reports to referral sources.
• Y.E.A.H. (Youth Empowerment and Healing) Multi-pronged youth program in Waukegan, North Chicago, and Zion schools covering prevention, intervention (individual counseling), mentorship and gang prevention, Youth Advisory Board, and parent coffee groups.
• Community Outreach and Education Public awareness, prevention education, and Teen Talk school-based programming delivered across Lake County, including free classroom and after-school presentations and teen resources.
• 40-Hour Domestic Violence Training State-approved 40-hour foundational training (20 hours online via ICADV + 20 hours in-person) for aspiring domestic violence professionals; required first step toward the Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professional (ICDVP) credential.
• Professional Training Continuing education and specialized training for professionals serving survivors, including human trafficking response and trauma-informed care.
• Safe Paws Program On-site shelter and care for pets of domestic violence survivors so that pet ownership does not become a barrier to leaving an abuser; delivered in partnership with local rescues.
• La Paloma Program Bilingual and culturally specific support program for Latina survivors of domestic violence, providing advocacy, counseling, and community referrals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 30,000 lives changed through safety, support, and healing.
• +10 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

35 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship - core delivery partner for credentialed training, core - regulatory partner for training accreditation, flagship - operational partner for court advocacy program, major referral partner for client services, community referral partner (lgbtq+ services), community referral partner, high-profile awareness partner (2025), community referral partner for housing insecurity, community referral partner (health), online resource partner (financial planning), online resource partner (relocation), national-level policy and resource partner, community referral partner (housing), legal services partner, major funder and community partner, community referral partner (sexual abuse services), training facility partner, universal sponsor (flagship event partner), major corporate supporter (board representation), board-affiliated corporate supporter, board-affiliated consulting partner, academic / research partner, board-affiliated marketing partner, board-affiliated legal partner, board-affiliated insurance partner and promotional partner.

• Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV)flagship - core delivery partner for credentialed trainingStrategic or Co-development PartnerICADV hosts the 20-hour online portion of A Safe Place's 40-hour Domestic Violence Training ($250 of the $450 total fee is paid to ICADV). ICADV is also the state-wide coalition that A Safe Place is a member of, listed on the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence site. ICADV's training is the required first step toward Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professional (ICDVP) credential.
• Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professionals Board (ICDVP)core - regulatory partner for training accreditationStrategic or Co-development PartnerICDVP establishes the required training topics, fees, and minimum time frames for DV professional certification. A Safe Place is an approved ICDVP training site, which is essential to its 40-Hour Domestic Violence Training offering.
• 19th Judicial Circuit Court (Lake County, IL)flagship - operational partner for court advocacy programStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts A Safe Place's Court Advocacy Program (D100) on the 5th floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 301 Washington Street, Waukegan, IL 60085. The D100 program has supported survivors at this courthouse since 1984. Court Zoom protocols and virtual order-of-protection filing are also supported through the court's infrastructure.
• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicagomajor referral partner for client servicesImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerReferral partner for survivors needing additional social services. Listed in A Safe Place's "Other Resources" page as a community resource and connected through D100 court advocacy.
• Center on Halstedcommunity referral partner (lgbtq+ services)Implementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLGBTQ+-focused community resource listed in A Safe Place's referral network for survivors needing additional support.
• Find Help Lake County (211 Lake County)community referral partnerImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUnited Way-affiliated resource directory serving Lake County. Listed as a community resource for survivors seeking additional social services.
• Gabby Petito Foundationhigh-profile awareness partner (2025)GTM or Marketing PartnerThe Gabby Petito Foundation headlined A Safe Place's Unmask the Violence Gala in October 2025, joining the awareness gala amid A Safe Place's $2M funding cuts. Featured in multiple press releases and Fox 32 Chicago coverage.
• Lake County Coalition for the Homelesscommunity referral partner for housing insecurityImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHousing-focused community resource serving Lake County, listed in A Safe Place's referral network for survivors and families facing housing instability.
• Lake County Health Department and Community Health Centercommunity referral partner (health)Implementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCounty health agency providing medical, dental, and behavioral health services. Listed as a community referral partner for survivors and their children.
• MoneyGeekonline resource partner (financial planning)Implementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerListed as a financial planning resource for domestic violence survivors on A Safe Place's "Other Resources" page.
• MyMoveonline resource partner (relocation)Implementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerListed as a moving guide resource for domestic violence survivors on A Safe Place's "Other Resources" page.
• National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV)national-level policy and resource partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational advocacy organization. A Safe Place cites NNEDV as a national resource for digital/communications safety information adapted for client use.
• PADS Lake County (Public Action to Deliver Shelter)community referral partner (housing)Implementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHomeless services organization serving Lake County. Referrals for survivors needing additional housing resources.
• Prairie State Legal Serviceslegal services partnerImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal aid organization providing free legal services to low-income individuals. Referrals coordinated through the D100 Court Advocacy Program.
• United Way of Lake Countymajor funder and community partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor community funder. Listed as a community resource on A Safe Place's referral page and likely a key funder through workplace giving and grant channels.
• Zacharias Sexual Abuse Centercommunity referral partner (sexual abuse services)Implementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSexual abuse survivor services center serving Lake County. Referrals for survivors needing additional trauma and sexual abuse services.
• Gorton Community Centertraining facility partnerImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPrimary training location for A Safe Place's 40-Hour Domestic Violence Training (subject to change based on number of participants). Located at 400 East Illinois Rd., Lake Forest, IL 60045.
• American Place Casinouniversal sponsor (flagship event partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerUniversal Sponsor of A Safe Place's special events, including the Unmask the Violence Gala. Logo featured on the Special Events page.
• Mercedes-Benz at Autohaus (Autohaus on Edens)universal sponsor (flagship event partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerUniversal Sponsor of A Safe Place's special events. Board member Michael Rosengarden is affiliated with Autohaus on Edens. Logo featured on Special Events page.
• Consumers Credit Unionuniversal sponsor (flagship event partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerUniversal Sponsor of A Safe Place's special events. Logo featured on the Special Events page.
• Northshore Gasuniversal sponsor (flagship event partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerUniversal Sponsor of A Safe Place's special events. Logo featured on the Special Events page.
• AbbViemajor corporate supporter (board representation)GTM or Marketing PartnerMultiple Board members (Judith Rosowicz, Wygenia Brisco, Tabitha Kilpatrick, Toni Wright-Glinsey) are retired from or affiliated with AbbVie, indicating deep corporate relationship. AbbVie is a major Lake County-area employer and likely source of workplace giving, matching gifts, and event sponsorship.
• Medelaboard-affiliated corporate supporterGTM or Marketing PartnerBoard member David Fahrner is retired from Medela, indicating corporate engagement. Medela is a healthcare products company headquartered in the region.
• Vantage Partnersboard-affiliated consulting partnerImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBoard member Jonathan Hughes is affiliated with Vantage Partners, a consulting firm. Likely provides pro-bono or discounted strategic consulting.
• DePaul Universityacademic / research partnerImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBoard member Dr. Kate Johnson is affiliated with DePaul University. Likely source of student interns, research support, and academic partnerships.
• Cognizantboard-affiliated corporate supporterGTM or Marketing PartnerBoard member Mohan Ramalingam is affiliated with Cognizant, a global technology services company. Likely source of technology volunteerism and corporate giving.
• Elevance Health, Inc.board-affiliated corporate supporterGTM or Marketing PartnerBoard member Christina Noland is affiliated with Elevance Health (formerly Anthem). Likely source of workplace giving, matching gifts, and healthcare-focused sponsorship.
• ProPharma Groupboard-affiliated corporate supporterGTM or Marketing PartnerBoard member Elizabeth Sachnoff is affiliated with ProPharma Group, a pharmaceutical consulting firm. Likely source of corporate giving and pro-bono services.
• ATMI Precastboard-affiliated corporate supporterGTM or Marketing PartnerBoard member Dawn Smith is affiliated with ATMI Precast, a precast concrete manufacturer. Likely source of corporate giving and event sponsorship.
• MPG, Inc.board-affiliated corporate supporterGTM or Marketing PartnerBoard member Kelli Shannahan is affiliated with MPG, Inc. Likely source of corporate giving.
• Overture Promotionsboard-affiliated marketing partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerTwo Board members (Christina Nelson and Victoria Robertson) are affiliated with Overture Promotions, a promotional products company. Likely source of in-kind promotional materials for fundraising events.
• Berna Family Law & Human Rights, LLCboard-affiliated legal partnerImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBoard member Greta Berna is affiliated with Berna Family Law & Human Rights, LLC, a law firm. Likely source of pro-bono legal services and survivor referrals.
• Minsky Insurance Agency, Inc.board-affiliated insurance partnerImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBoard member Eugene Minsky is affiliated with Minsky Insurance Agency. Likely provides insurance services and corporate giving.
• Chicago Bearspromotional partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerVolunteered time and talent with A Safe Place families (July 2017). Bears team has made multiple visits to support families of domestic violence, generating press coverage.
• Gorton Community Center (Lake Forest, IL)training facility partnerImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPrimary training location for the 40-Hour Domestic Violence Training. Located at 400 East Illinois Rd., Lake Forest, IL 60045. Location is subject to change based on number of participants.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Between Friends: Chicago-area 501(c)3 nonprofit providing domestic violence services including counseling, court advocacy, and education. Directly comparable to A Safe Place as a suburban-Chicago DV service organization with similar mission, free service model, and court-linked advocacy programs.
• Sarah's Inn: Oak Park, IL-based 501(c)3 serving domestic violence survivors in Chicago's western suburbs with emergency shelter, counseling, court advocacy, and community education. Closely comparable to A Safe Place in suburban-Chicago DV services delivery model, free-to-clients structure, and courthouse-based advocacy.
• WINGS Program, Inc. Chicago-area nonprofit providing integrated domestic violence and homelessness services, including emergency shelter, housing, counseling, and children's services. Comparable to A Safe Place in combining DV crisis response with longer-term housing solutions and child-witness programming.
• Connections for Abused Women and their Children (CAWC): Chicago-based 501(c)3 providing shelter, counseling, advocacy, and education for domestic violence survivors. Closely comparable to A Safe Place in mission scope, free service delivery, and integration of shelter, counseling, and court advocacy.
• Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center: Lake County, IL-based nonprofit serving survivors of sexual abuse and domestic violence. Directly comparable as a Lake County referral partner with overlapping survivor services and listed in A Safe Place's own partner network.

Broad incumbents

• YWCA Metropolitan Chicago: Regional YWCA chapter providing domestic violence services, housing, and economic empowerment across the Chicago metro area. Comparable as a larger, broader-mission incumbent that overlaps with A Safe Place on DV shelter and advocacy but operates across a wider portfolio and geography.

Others

• Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV): Statewide coalition that A Safe Place is a member of and co-delivers ICDVP training through. Functions as an ecosystem partner rather than a direct service competitor, but defines the policy and funding framework within which A Safe Place operates.
• National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV): National advocacy organization cited by A Safe Place as a digital safety resource. Not a direct service peer but a federal-level policy and resource counterpart relevant to A Safe Place's national positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCk4cZQgSUDP_TvY63xd3aWQ
• Xx.com/ASafePlace2
• Facebookfacebook.com/ASafePlaceLakeCo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/a-safe-place

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about A Safe Place