News
By Michael Hernandez, 10-7-24
FERNANDINA BEACH—Micah’s Place is celebrating a 25-year journey helping survivors of domestic violence. Their cause resulted in the Nassau County Board of Commissioners issuing a proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The Sept. 18 proclamation states “All citizens have a fundamental right to safety in their lives, homes and community.”
- Statistics show 20 people become victims of domestic violence every minute.
- Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 18-34.
Micah’s Place vision statement states: “We envision a future where Nassau County is free from domestic violence” and “our mission is to provide safety and support for individuals who have experienced domestic violence, and to raise awareness regarding its cause, prevalence, and impact.”
Micah’s Place Executive Director Tracie Fasel speaking to Citizens Journal Florida said: “The mission is a passion of mine. Anyone, who goes into social service work, especially, with domestic violence survivors has a calling.
“It takes a lot to run a shelter and provide services. We provide housing, food and day care. It is an expensive undertaking.”
Micah’s Place deals with four types of abuse:
- Physical Abuse: Deliberately hurting or injuring someone. This includes: hitting, pushing, shaking, spitting, pinching, and shoving.
- Psychological Abuse: Emotional abuse in which the perpetrator insults, humiliates, and generally instills fear in an individual in order to control them.
- Financial Abuse: Tactics to conceal information, limit the victim’s access to assets, or reduce accessibility to the family finances.
- Sexual Abuse: Abusive sexual behavior and harassment by one person upon another. It is often perpetrated using force or by taking advantage of another.
The History Of Micah’s Place
Micah’s Place started in 1999 with a group of concerned citizens “who knew that survivors of domestic violence needed a safe place to go. Prior to Micah’s Place, victims of domestic violence and their children had to go outside of the county, if they even had transportation.”
Officially, Micah’s Place was incorporated in October of 2020 and registered as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization in March, 2001. In June of 2003, Micah’s Place began offering outreach services, information and referrals via a 24-hour toll-free hotline. In December of 2003, the organization opened a 16-bed emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence. The Department of Children and Families certified Micah’s Place in 2004 as the 41st center in the state.
Micah’s Place also operates non-residential programs, such as support groups, economic empowerment and legal advocacy; Child Protective Investigative Team support; community and corporate training; and anti-bullying and healthy relationship school curriculum.
A Purple Dove Resale Center was opened in 2008 to collect items for domestic violence survivors and to raise funds for Micah’s Place. Located in Fernandina Beach: 474311 State Road. In January 2016, Micah’s Place opened the doors to a second Purple Dove Resale Center located in west Nassau County in Callahan: 450061 S Callahan.
Micah’s Place added an attorney in 2017 to assist survivors with injunctions for protection. In the same year, an Economic Empowerment program began to assist survivors with housing, jobs, finances, and credit repair. In 2019, the shelter doubled bed space and provided a dedicated family wing while adding a teen room and meeting space.
Upcoming October Fundraising Events
- Oct. 12: 7-9 p.m. Yulee Lion’s Club, 851023 Hwy 17, Yulee, FL 32097: Blue Fire Theatre Presents “Love, Loss, and What I Wore” (a staged reading of monologues about women, clothes and memories). Proceeds will benefit Micah’s Place.
- Oct. 26-27: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Amelia Island Court Classic, 142 Racquet Park Drive (Omni Amelia Island Resort), Fernandina Beach FL 32034. Pickleball and Tennis. Entry Fee: $65.
2022-2023 Annual Report
- 3,639 customized safety plans created
- 1,701 crisis calls and texts
- 1877 people educated
- 4,540 hours of volunteer work
- 2,945 nights of safe shelter
- 2,209 hours of advocacy
- 151 injunctions for protection
2022-2023 Budget:
Income:
- Grants: $1,110,692
- Contributions: $364,552
- Resale Centers: $467,261
- Investment Income: $30,072
TOTAL INCOME: $1,972,577
Expenses:
- Programs: $1,630,847
- Services: $268,803
TOTAL EXPENSES: $1,899,65
Balance Sheet:
- Notes Payable: $342,180
- Assets: $3,665,042
Leadership Staff:
- Executive Director: Tracie Fasel
- Domestic Violence Services Director (shelter/outreach): Brittany Willingham
- Community Engagement Director: Lisa Rosier
- Facilities/Donations & Retail Store Director Manager: Robert Whitley
President of the Board of Directors is Sarah Rummings. Other officers will be selected this month. Those interested in serving on the board can complete a board director application on the website. Micah’s Place employs 25 individuals.
Micah’s Place Contact Numbers:
Nassau County Residents: 904-225-9979 (24-7 hotline)
Administrative Number: 904-491-6364
TTY Help Line Number: 904-321-6431
Florida Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-800-500-1119
Administrative Address:
2188 Sadler Road
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Email:
Website:
Michael Hernandez, from California is co-founder of the Citizens Journal—Ventura County’s online news service. He is a former Southern California daily newspaper journalist and religion and news editor. Mr. Hernandez can be contacted at [email protected] and is editor of the weekly “Stories Speak Volumes,” “Nov. 5 Election Day Countdown” and “Revive America: Make America Great Again.”
