About Safe to Live
Peoria County community partners began meeting in July 2002 to plan for the STLV SA/VP Initiative. Partnership Development, visioning, community needs assessing and strategic planning continued until June 2004. In July, the STLV SA/VP Initiative went into full force in implementing integrated substance abuse/violence prevention activities.
The Purpose of Safe to Live
Research demonstrates that communities are more effective in preventing and reducing violence if they build multi-disciplinary partnerships and implement a coordinated, community response. The overall purpose of Safe to Live is to:
- Engage communities in comprehensive, coordinated substance abuse and violence prevention activities
- Maximize coordination among community organizations and entities
- Address all forms of substance abuse and interpersonal violence including alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, family violence, youth violence, and community safety.
The Safe to Live Substance Abuse/Violence Prevention Integration Initiative is a collaborative venture led by The Center for Prevention of Abuse. The Center is the only agency in the state of Illinois to provide combined services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault/abuse, and elder abuse. Serving more than 4,000 men, women and children affected by violence each year, The Center works to achieve its mission of Building a Safe, Peaceful Community.