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SAFETY ALERT: Computer, tablet, and phone use can be monitored and it is impossible to completely clear all website footprints. If you are in danger, please use a safer computer, tablet, or phone that your abuser can not access directly or remotely. Visit the National Network to End Domestic Violence's Safety Net Project site for more information.



About Us
Sarah's Friends is a safe haven for those harmed by crime in Williams County. All services are free and strictly confidential.
VISION
To ensure those victimized by crime in Williams County receive compassionate support and individualized services necessary to not feel alone in their journey of healing. To put the power and control back into the victim's hands, allowing them to become an empowered survivor.
MISSION
To empower victims of domestic violence and crime to heal emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
CORE
VALUES
Collaborative
Compassionate
Diverse & Inclusive
Empowering
Flexible
Trauma-Informed
Our History
Founded in April 1991, Sarah's Friends, Inc. provided a safe and comfortable place for child victims of abuse to be interviewed by law enforcement personnel and Child Protective Services (CPS). These interviews were recorded so that the child only had to go through the difficult process of telling their story once.
Over the years, the organization has gone through many changes. By 1996, law enforcement and Job and Family Services changed protocols for child abuse investigations and decided the interviews were no longer to be conducted at Sarah's Friends. In 1997 after some revision, Sarah's Friends officially stated, "It is our mission to address the problem of violence in Williams County through prevention, education, and intervention, and by assisting victims of crime." In 2013, our mission statement was revised to state, "To empower victims of domestic violence and crime to heal emotionally, physically, and spiritually."
Throughout the years, Sarah's Friends has provided various training and prevention efforts including training for law enforcement on family violence, evidence based programs for elementary students, and trainings for HR professionals on domestic violence in the workplace. We have also provided support groups for children experiencing divorce, and another for adults who have gone through it as well. Several support groups have been offered for women who have experienced relationship violence and mentoring programs have been offered as well.


Most notable has been our advocacy work for survivors of crime, most often those who experienced domestic violence. These services include financial and material support as well as emotional. We provide referrals for legal services, social services and counseling. In 2001, we started a housing program that assisted individuals and families with rental deposits and short-term rental subsidy to help our clients, most often women and children escaping a dangerous living situation. By 2010, this program grew when we started utilizing one of the apartments we own as Transitional Housing. We have now expanded this frequently utilized service into four active units.
Sarah’s Friends assists men, women, and children who are harmed by the following crimes:
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Adults Molested as Children
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Adult Physical Assault
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Adult Sexual Assault
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Arson
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Burglary
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Child Physical or Sexual Abuse/Assault
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Child Pornography
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Domestic Violence
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DUI/DWI Incidents
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Elder Abuse/Neglect
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Hate Crime
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Human Trafficking: Sex/Labor
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Identity Theft
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Kidnapping
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Mass Violence
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Other Vehicular Victimization
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Robbery
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Stalking
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Survivors of Homicide Victims
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Teen Dating Victimizations
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Terrorism
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Violation of a Court Order
Meet The Team
DIAMOND
MARION ISAAC FUND
WOOLACE ELECTRIC

Pat Burkholder
Board Secretary

Misty King
Board Member

Mollie Culler
Board Member

Becky Kimble
Board President

Jamie Vonalt
Board Vice-President

Natalie Smith
Board Treasurer

Amy Boothman
Board Member

Heather Mendez
Board Member

Katie Shaffer
Executive Director
"This place has been the backbone of my support in all areas. Sarah's Friends is a True Blessing to me and my children!"
-Anonymous survivor
SARAH'S FRIENDS SUPPORTERS
DIAMOND
MARION ISAAC FUND
WOOLACE ELECTRIC
platinum
BLACK SWAMP EQUIPMENT
NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL-HOWARD AREND
gold
AMY SMITH
ANDERSON & VREELAND, INC.
ANONYMOUS INDIVIDUALS (26)
BRYAN FORD LINCOLN
CRIME VICTIMS FUND
CURRENT OFFICE SOLUTIONS
DAVE & HEATHER REISER
F&M STATE BANK
FRATERNAL ORDER OF THE EAGLES #2233
GRIFF & NIKI MOSIER
IN HONOR OF SCOTT SMITH
MIDWEST COMMUNITY FED. CREDIT UNION
STARK'S PLUMBING & HEATING
THIEL CONSTRUCTION CO
silver
ABL ELECTRIC & INNOVATIONS, LLC
ALEX & NATALIE SMITH
ANDREW ELDER
ANDY & CHRISTINA KELLER FUND
AUSTIN BAILEY
BOB & BECKY KIMBLE
BRYAN DENTAL GROUP
BSE OWNERS (LARRY & KAREN BURKHOLDER / KYLE & STACY SAPP)
CHAD & JODI TINKEL
CHARLES NICHOLS
COPPER TOP LLC
CWU THRIFT SHOP
D&M TIRE & SERVICE CENTER
DESIREE DUNKLE
DRS. RANDY & DIANE PETERS
ELEANOR WEBB
ELLIANN'S BOUTIQUE/MAD OX
FIRST INSURANCE GROUP
FOUNTAIN CITY VETERINARY HOSPITAL
GEORGE & JULIE BROWN
KANNEL INSURANCE
KEVIN MCDOUGALL
NEWLYN QUEST CLUB
NORTH WESTERN ELECTRIC TRUST GRANT 2022
ROBERT YOUNG
RYAN & AMY MILLER
STATE BANK
UNIVERSAL INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS
bronze
ALICIA WITTENMYER
ALLISSA & BARBARA CRAMER
ANDY BRIGLE
ANONYMOUS (FEMININE CARE DRIVE)
ASHLEY MICHAEL
AUSTIN MARTIN
BILL & PAM STEEL
BJ & KELSEY MCDADE
BRITTANY COFFMAN
BRYAN FIRST ASSEMBLY CHURCH
CHAD HAVER
CHWC CARDIOLOGY STAFF
COLDWELL BANKER CLASSIC PROPERTIES
DAVID & NANCY SCHAIRBAUM
DEIA HUTCHINSON
DERRICK FRIEND
EVERGREEN HEALTHCARE CENTER
FRATERNAL ORDER OF THE EAGLES #2246
GREG ALLING
GREG SPANGLER
HAL KENETY
HELEN SEILER
IN MEMORY OF SANDRA ANDERSON
JACOB &TERI SCHLEGEL
JIM & KATHY FUNDERBURG
JUSTIN DESOTO
KILEY COFFMAN
KRYSTAL MILLER
LUKE COLLINS
MAIN STOP
MANN'S INVESTMENT GROUP, LLC
MARIE CAMPBELL
MATT & MISTY KING
MATT & SUZANNE BORTON
NATHEN HENRICKS
NETWORK FOR GOOD
NICKI COGSWELL
PAMELA LEDYARD
PAT BURKHOLDER
PENROD & GEORGE
PETERS FAMILY EYECARE
ROGER & TAMARA THORP
SHAWN & MARGIE STARK
SHAWN CANALES
STACY SAPP
STEVE KIMPEL
TASHA THOMPSON
THE CENTER FOR CHILD & FAMILY ADVOCACY
TITAN TIRE
TOM & ANGIE CRAMER
TONY & CAROLINE GRETICK
TRILOGY WEALTH ADVISORS
WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
WILLIAM & DEBORAH DAUGHERTY