CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – SAFE (Soldiers And Families Embraced) has two words for the Clarksville community: “We’re baaaack!” After several months of not being able to accept new clients, the Clarksville non-profit is back in business, thanks, in large part, to a generous grant from the Clarksville-Montgomery County Community Health Foundation.
“During our last fiscal year, we were swamped with requests from new clients to see our counselors,” says SAFE Executive Director Rev. Jodi McCullah. “The number of clients we were seeing doubled from May to September in 2014 and the demand never let up. It’s clear that active duty, who were constantly busy for years either deploying or preparing to redeploy, for example, now have time to think about their experiences. Sadly, far too many of them are struggling when they do take time to reflect on the toll war takes on Soldiers and their families,” she said.
SAFE offers free, confidential, professional counseling to military and their families. The local non-profit also provides internships and two kinds of retreats, including the extremely popular songwriting retreat that ends with a community concert.
“This CMCCHF grant of $237,550, which will provide for thousands of hours of counseling sessions for the next year, is an acknowledgement of the impact PTSD counseling can have on an entire community. Marriages will be saved, children will kept out of trouble and veterans will find new mission,” said McCullah.
For more information or to seek services, call 931-591-3241 or email info@safetn.org.