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Centre County proclaims October Domestic Violence Awareness Month; Center Safe warns of funding pressures
Summary
The board adopted a proclamation declaring October Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Center Safe described a 50-year history of services, high call volumes and financial strain from missing state and federal funds and launched a 50th-anniversary fund appeal.
The Centre County Board of Commissioners adopted Proclamation No. 50 of 2025 on Tuesday, designating October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Centre County. The proclamation followed a presentation by Center Safe staff describing services, client volumes and funding concerns.
A Center Safe representative identified in the meeting as Jennifer said the organization is celebrating 50 years of serving victims and survivors in the county and described the agency as “in extremely high demand while at the same time navigating the perfect storm of no state budget and no federal funding.” She asked the community to support a newly created 50th‑anniversary fund to preserve services locally.
Jennifer cited annual service volumes and hotline traffic: “We receive anywhere between 1,200–1,500 calls to that hotline each year,” she said, and “support approximately 900 victims of domestic violence each year, 200 sexual assault survivors, and 200 individuals and families needing emergency shelter and housing.” She also referenced statewide figures, saying “1 in 3 women, 1 in 4 men, and nearly half of LGBTQ plus individuals will experience domestic violence in their lifetime,” and providing an estimated statewide economic burden figure.
District Attorney Bernie Cantorna and other commissioners thanked Center Safe and other partner agencies, emphasizing the role of coordinated services — victim‑witness advocates, child access centers and shelters — in protecting victims and connecting them to resources. Cantorna highlighted the importance of STOP grant funding that flows through the county to localized victim services.
Commission action: A motion to adopt Proclamation No. 50 was made and seconded; commissioners voted verbally in favor and the motion carried.
Why it matters: Presenters linked domestic violence response to broader public safety and social services and flagged funding shortfalls that could affect local service capacity. Center Safe urged donations and community support to sustain operations amid gaps in state and federal funding.
What’s next: Center Safe invited donors to learn more at centersafe.org and to consider contributions to the 50th‑anniversary fund; commissioners said the county will continue funding local human‑service partners where possible.
