Safe Harbor has hired its first staff attorney, with plans to hire a paralegal later this fall. Safe Harbor’s legal program aims to offer assistance to clients in Safe Harbor’s shelter, housing, and counseling programs who are facing legal barriers that cannot be met through the services of other community partners.

“We deeply value the great work of organizations like S.C. Legal Services and the S.C. Victims Assistance Network, and we’ll continue to refer our clients who are eligible for these services,” said Julie Meredith, Safe Harbor’s program director. “With this added layer to our services, we hope to fill in the gaps to meet the legal needs that our clients face.”

Safe Harbor staff attorney, Shanise Greenfield, is preparing to spend a good deal of her time in family court.

“My greatest task when representing victims of domestic violence is being a voice for the voiceless. The newly developed legal program that I am implementing will ensure that victims feel like their voices are being heard, their stories are being told, their legal needs are given individualized attention, and that justice is being served on their behalf. Victims deserve nothing less, and I will do my best to offer a pathway toward justice for each and every one of them.”

“The cycle of abuse diminishes a victim’s personal power,” said Meredith. “Through this new legal program, we hope to bring some power back into the hands of the clients and families we walk alongside each day.”