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Deborah Armstrong
Deborah Armstrong, a native Nevadan, is the proud mother of three children; Robert Annan (Las Vegas, Nevada), Sean Annan (Reno, Nevada) and Sherrill Armstrong (Baltimore, Maryland). Ms. Armstrong holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Nevada, Reno and a Master of Education degree from Lesley College in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is licensed as an associate social worker in the state of Nevada. Being a great component of education, she continues to receive training in human resources, human services, fiscal management, fundraising techniques and organizational capacity building.
Giving back to her community is important to her as she serves on the board of Washoe Legal Services, Human Services Network, and Association of Fundraising Professionals. She is also a mentor to others in the community.
In 1994, Deborah Armstrong became the Founder and Executive Director of Safe Embrace. As the founder she has grown the organization from a community support group to a full service domestic violence program that includes emergency shelter for 10 women and their children, victim advocacy/case management/ counseling, Kids Klub Children Program, 24-hour crisis hotline, legal advocacy, educational groups, volunteer program, community outreach programs and a transitional housing program. Deborah invites the public to check out their website, www.safeembrace.org, and to become a fan of Safe Embrace on Facebook. You can also reach her at (775) 322-3466
She credits her successes to her strong belief, God, and stands behind her motto, “for me to fail impossible, for you to fail impossible.”
Safe Embrace
“Safe Embrace recognizes the profound social and individual problems caused by family violence. We are dedicated to stopping the cycle of violence in families. To this end, we provide intervention and prevention services to facilitate the opportunity for all people to live free from abuse.
A face painting that was done by a youth in the Safe Embrace program describing that being in an abusive home is like being invisible.
Safe Embrace creates a safe place where we can stop the cycle of violence.
1994. Safe Embrace was organized. Our focus was on the special needs of women of color who were victims of domestic violence. As the general community grew, and the demand for our services increased, we expanded to serve all in need.
1998. Our services were enlarged to include incarcerated women of all races who were domestic violence victims.
1999. We received our non-profit status and began operating our 24-hour crisis intervention line.
2001. We opened our emergency shelter for abused women and their children. We are unique in our shelter in that we accept both male and female children up to the age of 17 years.
2003. We received our “Standard of Excellence” as a partner agency with United Way of Northern Nevada.
2004. Our shelter received an upgrade through the work of the American Society of Interior Design of Reno, Terra Firma, The Terry Wells Foundation and The Junior League of Reno.
2005. Safe Embrace participated for the first time in Kid’s Fair sponsored by Citadel Broadcasting, our Board of Directors held a retreat and created a Strategic Plan.
2006. Safe Embrace participated in Women’s Expo where we displayed the “Shattered Dreams Quilt”. We were the Reno recipient of a grant
from the Mary Kay Ash Foundation
2007. Safe Embrace was the recipient of the V-Day Monologue Event.
2008. Safe Embrace participated in the White Ribbon Campaign, an effort where men are working to end men’s violence against women. Safe Embrace extended their outreach services to include at-risk youth.
2009. Safe Embrace held its first annual volunteer appreciation banquet honoring 27 outstanding people.
2010. Safe Embrace implemented their “scattered” transitional housing program
The clients that utilize Safe Embrace services are battered women and their children. Our emergency shelter is handicapped accessible and meets the ADA requirements. Safe Embrace does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetic information.
Safe Embrace offers:
24-hour Crisis Intervention
Emergency Shelter
20-Hour Volunteer Training
Kids Klub
Community Outreach
Legal Advocacy
Transitional Housing
For more information visit the Safe Embrace website www.safeembrace.org
