The definition of a "safe haven" is a place of refuge or security, somewhere you're protected from harm or danger.
There are two organizations in our area helping those in need of an escape -- the Women's Help Center and Victim Services -- right down the street from each other.
Since both agencies have been covering the same area for 40 years -- with many of their services overlapping -- it can be confusing to learn who does what.
"I think it's collaboration and working together to help the community," said Roxann Tyger, the Executive Director of the Women's Help Center.
"Unfortunately, in Cambria and Somerset counties, there is no shortage of individuals who are in need," said Michael Oliver, the CEO of Victim Services.
It's uncommon for two safe havens so similar in nature to peacefully coexist just two and a half miles apart from one another.
That's only the case for about five counties out of the 67 in Pennsylvania that have dual centers like we see here.
I would say that Cambria and Somerset -- for years back since the inception of both agencies -- have covered both counties and covered them together," Oliver said.
The Women's Help Center holds 27 beds in their facility and can place families in ten different local apartments.
Victim Services can house dozens of people in apartments spread across our area in secretive, undisclosed locations.
"Help is out there, and don't be afraid to call and ask for it," Tyger told 6 News.
Both agencies provide emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and case management along with food, clothing, and hygiene products.
While they provide many of the same services, there are also many differences between the two organizations.
Victim Services became the primary provider of domestic violence services when the state contract was transferred over to them in July of 2021.
Their focus is providing services to victims of sexual assault and other violent crimes, like in-person support during forensic rape exams, emergency medical visits for domestic violence victims, law enforcement interviews, and court hearings.
Victim Services also assists victims with filing protection orders and filing victim compensation claims, among others.
The Women's Help Center now focuses on those experiencing a housing crisis and insecurity, including those who have been evicted.
They also provide transitional housing to help people transition out of the shelter.
Their organization also opens a food bank once a month for those who have accessed their shelter in the past or present.
Victim Services gets most of their funding from local, state, and federal agencies while the Women's Help Center receives most of their funding from private donors and foundations.
I like to think of it as we're a safety net for each other, so that if we can't do something but they can, we're working together and vice versa," Tyger told 6 News.
Last calendar year, Victim Services served 3,564 clients, provided 10,796 service hours, had 1,073 calls, sheltered 91 people, and provided 6,005 total nights of shelter.
Since July, the Women's Help Center has provided 2,911 nights of shelter.
They started their food program five months ago -- and in that time -- they've served 268 people with 8,335 pounds of food.
These leaders say they hope their coexistence can prevent victims from falling through the cracks.
"We can work together, we can work independently, we can bounce ideas off of each other, we can offer each other's resources and services. The things that they're doing are a little bit different than the things that we're doing," said Oliver.
It can be confusing to know where to begin if you need help or if you don't know where to donate.
These leaders say by contacting just one of them, they can help you determine what's the right fit.
"It's that 'no wrong door' philosophy. It doesn't mean that if you call us, and we can't help you, that we hang up the phone and say, 'I'm sorry, we can't help you,'" Tyger said.
Click here to learn more about what Victim Services provides.
Click here to learn more about what The Women's Help Center provides.
Both Victim Services and the Women's Help Center leaders say they are hiring for employees.