August 1, 2025
By Kimberly L. Johnson, CEO
Who We Serve and Why It’s Important to Clarify
A few weeks ago, a local journalist reached out and asked if I could comment on a recent case in Shasta County that involved an alleged hate crime. During the conversation, it became clear that there is still some confusion in the community about who One SAFE Place and Arch Collaborative serve. That conversation was a helpful reminder that we can always do more to clearly and consistently communicate the full scope of services we provide.
So let me take a moment to do just that.
One SAFE Place serves all victims of violent crime, including hate crimes. Our core focus areas include domestic violence, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and child abuse. However, when anyone is the victim of violence, regardless of the type, identity, or background, we want them to know they are welcome here and that help is available.
Arch Collaborative focuses on children, youth, and families impacted by abuse, violence, and exploitation. Through programs including our nationally recognized Children’s Advocacy Center and the Center for Resilience, our behavioral health center, we provide a trauma-informed network of care. We work closely with allied professionals to offer forensic interviews, medical exams, behavioral health care, and support services that help children and families heal and thrive.
We still encounter assumptions that our services are only available to women and children, or only to survivors of domestic violence. That is simply not true. We serve individuals and families of all backgrounds, ages, identities, and experiences. Recently, I came across a brochure from 1989, when One SAFE Place was known as the Shasta Women’s Refuge. It boldly addressed the myth that only women could receive services, a myth we continue to face today. The stigma that male victims and other marginalized survivors face, along with the outdated belief that our work only applies to certain populations, still lingers. Ultimately, we must ensure that every victim of violence knows that help is here.
Why Our Work Can Be Invisible
At One SAFE Place and Arch Collaborative, our commitment to survivor safety and client confidentiality is foundational. Our teams do not share stories publicly, even when our work is mentioned in press releases or covered in local media. Our staff operate with careful discretion, involving administrative leadership only when necessary to meet a client’s needs or navigate complex situations. This is intentional. It is how we preserve dignity and build trust with those we serve.
As a result, many people in the community may not realize how often OSP/Arch Collaborative staff are involved in high-profile cases. Behind the scenes, the incredible team at One SAFE Place is answering the 24/7 crisis hotline, responding in real time at emergency departments, providing legal advocacy, leading multi-agency case reviews, and creating safe spaces for survivors to begin their healing journey.
Personally, I have seen how violence can touch people across all communities and all income levels. I have been thanked by parents at school drop-off, only to learn that their child received care through Arch Collaborative’s Center for Resilience. I have opened the doors of OSP's domestic violence shelter and unexpectedly seen a longtime acquaintance there. And I have walked through my own children’s journey after they were victims of gun violence. Like many in this field, my personal and professional life intersects with this work in deeply meaningful ways. This is not abstract for me. It is very real.
What We Are Doing Next
After the conversation with the journalist, it became clear that we can do a better job making sure our partners and community members understand the full range of what we offer. We are grateful for any chance to clarify and educate.
Here is what we are doing:
We do not want confusion or misinformation to create a barrier to safety, healing, and support. If someone is hurting, we want them to know we are here, and that they are not alone.
If you or someone you know has been impacted by violence in any form, call us anytime.
Our 24/7 Crisis Hotline is: 530.244.0117
About the Author
Kimberly Johnson is the Chief Executive Officer of Arch Collaborative and One SAFE Place, two distinct but closely aligned organizations based in Shasta County. One SAFE Place provides emergency shelter, legal advocacy, housing support, and a 24/7 crisis hotline for victims of violent crime, including domestic and sexual violence. Arch Collaborative (a DBA of Children’s Legacy Center) operates the region’s Children’s Advocacy Center and offers behavioral health care, forensic services, and support for children and families impacted by abuse, violence, and exploitation. Together, these organizations form a trauma-informed, survivor-centered network of care.
