Community Spotlight: Safe Passage
Meet our November 2026 Community Spotlight organization: Safe Passage
When was your organization founded and for what purpose was it established?
Safe Passage is a nonprofit organization in Western Massachusetts dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence (DV) and relationship abuse through comprehensive, trauma-informed services, including counseling, legal assistance and representation, economic and housing justice advocacy, and culturally specific outreach and prevention. As we approach our 50th year of service, Safe Passage remains grounded in the belief that safety and self-determination are fundamental rights, and that survivors’ leadership and lived experience, particularly those most impacted by structural violence, must guide our programs, advocacy, and community engagement.
Survivors of DV often face intersecting barriers in addition to abuse. Many are immigrants, people of color, have disabilities, are low-income, LGBTQ+, or live in rural areas; communities that face systemic marginalization and are historically denied equitable access to safety, resources, and justice. Survivors frequently must navigate complex court systems, housing instability, financial dependence, fear of deportation, and limited access to culturally and linguistically responsive services while trying to build safety and economic sustainability. Safe Passage exists to remove these barriers and ensure survivors are not forced to choose between safety and survival.
How would you describe the impact of the work your organization does?
In 2025, Safe Passage reached new milestones in providing essential resources, legal aid, housing and economic support, and significant community engagement. 2025 was also a year of uncertainty. Together, our staff faced a deepening crisis among survivors, especially those who faced dual challenges of domestic violence and political and societal oppression.
The numbers served within our programs tell only part of the story. Behind every statistic is an immigrant survivor fearing detention if they show up at a required court appearance, a child who understands domestic violence because they saw the incident that landed their mother in the hospital, or a transgender survivor with few safe options because they moved here seeking a trans-friendly community, only to become unsafe at home.
From crisis intervention to long-term well-being and stability, our impact across the year reflects a deep commitment to justice, safety, and empowerment. It was a tough and complicated year. It was our incredible staff, board of directors, amazing volunteers, community collaborators, statewide colleagues, and of course, you, our community support that kept us going. By offering support, generosity, and connection, you inspire us and move us closer to our vision of a community free of domestic violence.
Check out their 2015 Impact Report
What program or project are you most excited about developing/expanding over the coming years, and why?
In response to the urgent and growing need, Safe Passage has intentionally invested in building our internal immigration legal capacity. Over the past several years, we expanded services, secured specialized training, and supported staff in obtaining Department of Justice accreditation to assist survivors of domestic violence seeking humanitarian relief such as U-Visas, T-Visas, VAWA petitions, and asylum protections. These investments have already increased our ability to serve survivors seeking safe pathways to citizenship who would otherwise have no access to legal assistance. Safe Passage is the only domestic violence agency in the four Western MA counties that offers this level of comprehensive assistance to immigrant survivors of abuse.
We have also seen the continued and increased need for our community members to gain the skills and knowledge needed to practice violence prevention. Our evidence-based prevention program, Say Something, is undergoing curriculum updates to match the present day need for community members to interrupt and prevent violence in our communities. The revised curriculum will have an additional focus on how small acts create larger change, dialoguing across differences, and using discomfort as a tool for growth.
Check out all the ways Safe Passage can help!
What is one simple thing an individual can do to make a difference in the lives of the folks you serve?
Believe survivors!
How can the community get involved in your work?
You can learn more about the array of services that Safe Passage provides and opportunities to volunteer at www.safepass.org/support
Join us for this year’s 23rd Annual Hot Chocolate Run (Sun. 12/6), the community walk/run event that provides critical funding for Safe Passage. Get involved in your local community and support survivors of relationship abuse by registering for a walking or running event, or by becoming one of our 200+ event volunteers! www.hotchocolaterun.com
All are welcome to join us for a special Thanksgiving Day yoga class to benefit Safe Passage. Thursday, November 26th, 9:15-10:30am (online only)
