As Midland grows, so does the need for nonprofit organizations that provide essential services to residents at every stage of life. Safe Place of the Permian Basin works to break the cycle of family violence by providing awareness, counseling, advocacy, and shelter for individuals. The organization broke ground on its new facility in fall 2021, after purchasing 9.8 acres of land on Andrews Highway in summer 2015 and raising nearly $25 million. Serving survivors of family violence in 15 West Texas counties, Safe Place operates a 24-hour hotline and an emergency shelter for victims and their children that includes meals, clothing, hygiene items, baby supplies, and emergency transportation. The nonprofit also provides counseling and legal advocacy for survivors, and education for community members. All services for victims are provided at no cost. The former Safe Place shelter, built in 1987, had 15 bedrooms and eight shared bathrooms. Now located within a secure gated parking lot, the new shelter features 24 bedrooms each with a private bathroom, private counseling spaces, and separation between residential services and outpatient counseling. The new facility will allow Safe Place to provide shelter and non-residential services to more survivors while prioritizing their privacy and safety.
