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Hanover Safe Place (HSP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing sexual and domestic violence, supporting survivors, and raising awareness through education and outreach. Cassie LaVoun is HSP’s Community Engagement Coordinator.
Tell us a little about your agency and your role there.
Hanover Safe Place’s mission is to create a safer, more informed community by providing comprehensive services and promoting prevention efforts We offer a wide range of free, trauma-informed services to Hanover residents, including a 24/7 confidential regional hotline, emergency shelter, housing resources, individual and group counseling, court advocacy, family and community case management, safety planning, prevention programming, and education and outreach. Our resource center is located at 629A North Washington Hwy., Ashland, VA 23005. Our confidential hotline is (804) 752-2702.
As the Community Engagement Coordinator, I focus on strengthening community relationships and expanding outreach. I attend local events, lead educational presentations for youth, college students, professionals, and the general public, and manage our social media campaigns. Workshops cover topics such as the dynamics of domestic and sexual violence, trauma-informed support, the intersections of DV with mental health and substance use, protective orders, healthy relationships, consent and boundaries, conflict resolution, and more. My role supports our mission by helping build a community that is informed, empowered, and engaged in both preventing violence and supporting survivors. I also assist with fundraising events throughout the year, including our annual golf tournament in June and our Deck the Halls wreath-building fundraiser in December.
When and how did your agency become involved with the GRTICN?
HSP began participating in GRTICN in 2016 by attending the quarterly meetings to strengthen collaboration and improve survivor support in our community. Today, our Family Services Advocate and one of our counselors regularly attend these meetings to share resources, coordinate services, and stay connected with partner agencies committed to family and community well-being.
How has your agency’s participation in the GRTICN impacted its practices and polices?
Participating in the GRTICN has helped us stay current on emerging issues and trends affecting our community. The meetings offer access to valuable trauma-informed resources and strategies, some of which we’ve incorporated into our practices. These connections have also strengthened our referral network and enhanced our ability to provide coordinated, holistic support to survivors and families.
What are some trauma-informed / resilience-building initiatives or goals your agency is currently working toward?
One of our newest and most exciting trauma-informed, resilience-building initiatives is our Prevention Program, launched two years ago with dedicated funding. The program aims to prevent domestic and sexual violence before it occurs by addressing root causes and promoting healthy, respectful relationships. In its first year, we focused on building relationships and laying the groundwork for education-based prevention. Since then, the program has grown into several impactful projects. We offer workshops for youth and young adults on topics such as healthy relationships, consent and boundaries, bystander intervention, supporting a friend, digital safety, conflict resolution, and navigating breakups. Our long-term goal is to reach every local public school, and we’ve already built strong relationships with most area high schools.
Another major initiative is our Seeds for Change community garden. This project blends prevention, wellness, and community connection by providing a welcoming space to access resources, grow food, and spark conversations around healthy relationships. It is currently supported by a local Girl Scout pursuing her Gold Award. Each year, we plan to establish a Youth Advisory Board to lead the garden and foster youth leadership. The garden is located at the Ashland Community Garden within Pufferbelly Park (500 Myrtle St. Ashland, VA. 23005). We also coordinate the Primary Prevention Community Task Force, which brings together professionals and agencies invested in violence prevention. The task force includes representatives from Randolph-Macon College (RMC), Hanover County Public Schools, a statewide suicide prevention program, Hanover Cares, Hanover Forward, a local church, the CSB, and others. The group meets monthly to share updates, support prevention efforts, and expand workshop and program access. Our prevention team also maintains a strong partnership with RMC, hosting monthly workshops on campus and attending campus-wide events to raise awareness and provide support. Finally, the Prevention Program plays a key role in developing and promoting our social media campaigns during awareness months, including Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October), Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (February), and Sexual Assault Awareness Month (April), helping educate and engage the broader community.
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