In Lake County, Illinois, equitable development isn’t an abstract goal — it’s a mission put into practice by community leaders and organizations that know it provides safety, stability, and growth opportunities for all. At the heart of this effort stands A Safe Place, the county’s only nonprofit dedicated solely to supporting victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. Through an extensive continuum of services and community engagement, A Safe Place fosters healing, autonomy, and community resilience.
What A Safe Place Does
Founded to provide immediate and long-term support for survivors, A Safe Place offers a comprehensive set of free programs and services that address the full spectrum of needs for people affected by violence. Services include:
- 24/7 Crisis Line Support — connecting survivors and concerned family members to immediate safety planning and resources
- Emergency Shelter and Housing — safe, confidential housing with food, clothing, and case management for people escaping abusive environments
- Counseling and Advocacy — individual and group therapy, legal advocacy, and accompaniment through court processes
- Family Visitation and Supervised Exchanges — safe, monitored visitation for families in transition
- Prevention and Community Education — programs in schools and community groups that cultivate awareness and teach healthy relationship skills
This breadth of services underscores a critical truth about economic growth: stability and opportunity for individuals increasingly depend on safety and support, and not solely on traditional metrics. By advancing survivors from crisis to independence, A Safe Place helps reduce barriers to employment, education, housing, and civic participation — all essential elements of a thriving and sustainable community.
Creating New Opportunities Through Bricks of Healing
Lake County is committed to giving all residents — regardless of gender, age, income, race, language or geography — access to essential services and opportunities. Successful communities don’t just respond to hardship, they proactively work to prevent it and empower residents to tap into resources and connections that make life easier and more fulfilling.
Lake County’s sweet spot is collaboration, and A Safe Space is no exception. The organization works with partners including schools to help people recognize warning signs and sharpen healthy relationship skills.
One of the most ambitious and symbolic ways A Safe Place is looking to make its mark on Lake County is through its Bricks of Healing campaign, a fundraising and community engagement initiative designed to expand shelter capacity and services for survivors.
Since 2020, A Safe Place has seen a 635% increase in calls to their help line and a 200% surge in demand for emergency shelter. Despite this rising need, capacity has actually decreased due to post-COVID safety regulations and the expiration of federal grant funding for hotel stays. A Safe Place’s current communal shelter, which once housed 33 individuals, can now only safely accommodate 10. Consequently, more than 100 Lake County residents seek shelter every week, and many—including families with children—are unfortunately turned away.
To meet this issue head-on, A Safe Place has launched the Bricks of Healing Capital Campaign, focused on financing a new, state-of-the-art emergency shelter and resource campus located within central Lake County, in Grayslake. The proposed 40,000 sq. ft. facility represents a revolutionary shift in how survivors are supported:
- Increased Capacity: The new shelter will house approximately 100 clients and their families—a 380% increase in capacity over current limits.
- Dignity & Privacy: Moving away from the communal model, the facility will feature private “apartment-style” rooms to allow families the space they need to heal.
- Comprehensive Care: For the first time, survivors will have access to behavioral health services, medical resources, and a dedicated pet shelter all under one roof.
- A “Campus” Approach: Beyond the initial shelter (Phase 1), future phases plan for a community resource center, a warehouse for donations, and vocational training facilities.
The project has gained significant momentum in recent months. Illinois State Representative Laura Faver Dias secured $1 million in state funding to support the $20 million project; overall, funding is projected to come from a mix of government grants ($3M), the sale of the current shelter ($1.7M), and $15 million in private funding. Presently, $3.8 million has been pledged. Zoning for the 22-acre plot in Grayslake was approved, and the purchase was finalized in November 2025.
These milestones underscore the campaign’s importance and the urgent need it addresses. The Bricks of Healing effort goes beyond bricks and mortar. Safe shelter is the foundation from which survivors can pursue employment, education, financial security, and mental wellness — core ingredients of sound growth.
Though still in its early phases, the Bricks of Healing campaign exemplifies how infrastructure investments — whether physical or social — can be powerful tools to drive personal success, talent development and economic growth. Every expanded bedroom, counseling space, or community room represents not just shelter, but a chance for someone’s life to stabilize, flourish, and contribute fully to the Lake County community.
Numbers tell part of the story, but ultimately, this initiative is about positively impacting lives. According to A Safe Place’s recent impact records, thousands of county residents have accessed services that helped them reclaim safety and move toward independence — generating ripple effects across families and neighborhoods.
Survivors testify to the importance of support that honors dignity and choice — from receiving life-saving shelter to accessing counseling that helps them process trauma and plan for the future. These individual transformations collectively create the conditions for better participation in the social and economic fabric of Lake County.
Looking Ahead: An Eye on Inclusive Community Growth
A Safe Place’s work — from crisis response to the Bricks of Healing campaign — offers a model for how targeted social investments can support broader equitable growth. When organizations address the root causes and consequences of violence and instability, they not only help individuals but also contribute to healthier labor markets, safer neighborhoods, and more resilient civic life.
The progress underway offers a hopeful message: Lake County’s vibrant community is being built through strategic programs, community commitment, and shared responsibility that support a high quality of life.
Want to learn more about how you can get involved and help advance Bricks of Healing? For additional details on the campaign or to schedule a tour of the Zion campus, contact Chief Development Officer Damaris Lorta at dlorta@asafeplaceforhelp.org