Celebrating 35 Years!

1990-1999

1990- Safety Shelter of St. Johns County, Inc. (doing business as Betty Griffin House), was founded and a 24-hour crisis hotline became operational.

1994- We opened our doors to the first family – a woman with her one-year-old child, who spent the night.

1998- We expanded our programs to include sexual assault services for adults and children.

We expanded the shelter to accommodate an increase in residents. and we began to provide limited civil legal services to domestic violence and sexual assault victims.

2000 – 2009

2001- We opened the first Thrift Shoppe to provide residents with necessities and a

source of revenue to support our services.

2002- We purchased an Outreach Center facility for non-residential counseling and administrative services to better meet the needs of survivors.

2003-Four acres of land were donated. We initiated a $4 million capital campaign to build a new shelter and first-time transitional housing.

2005- We completed Phase I of the building project: two transitional housing apartment buildings.

2006- We completed Phase II of the building project: a 10,000 square foot, 40-bed emergency safety shelter, opening it in October. We opened a second Thrift Shoppe in

Northwest St. Johns County and we opened a Rape Crisis Unit in collaboration with Flagler Hospital, providing private, victim-centered forensic rape exams.

2010 – 2019

2013- We began new collaborations with: the Department of Children and Family (DCF), Family Integrity Program, St. Johns County School Board, and St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office (SJCSO) which initiated the Invest program.

2016- BGC and SJCSO researched and implemented the GPS Monitoring Program, and we co-located Victims’ Advocate in the State Attorney’s Office.

2017- We rebranded from Betty Griffin House to Betty Griffin Center for an all-encompassing name to reflect our multitude of services. We moved into a new and larger office space and we developed and launched a new website.

2020-2024

2020- Began the preparation for the onset of COVID-19, offering more remote services and remained open under restrictions.

2021- We received funding to start a new Rapid Rehousing Program.

2022- We leased new space for support groups, financial literacy classes, and expanded our therapy services. We established a Wellness Committee for staff.

2023- We developed the Ambassador Program to get local businesses involved and supporting our mission.

We were also awarded as one of the Top Workplaces & Best of St. Augustine.

2024- We expanded our Rape Care services to a second hospital. We expanded children’s therapy services to the Julington Creek area.

We were also awarded “Best Nonprofit” in St. Augustine Community Choice Award.

2025

We increased our internship program to meet the needs of survivors.

Bright Horizons did a complete playroom makeover at our shelter.

We were recognized again as one of the Top Workplaces by USA Today for 2025.

We now employ 83 hardworking, dedicated employees, and we are revamping our three-year strategic plan

To continue providing life-saving services to survivors for another 35 years and beyond.