Safe Passage requests $2.5M in federal aid for shelter

By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com

DeKALB – Safe Passage, the only domestic prevention and survivor advocacy center in DeKalb County, recently requested $2.5 million in federal aid to help pay for its new 24/7 emergency shelter, a proposal backed by U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood.

Underwood, D-Naperville, recently announced a list of projects spanning across the 14th Congressional District selected to be submitted for consideration for Community Project Funding in fiscal 2024.

The funding would support projects not only in DeKalb, but also in Aurora, Crest Hill, La Salle, Ottawa, Joliet, Hinckley, Yorkville, Romeoville, Plainfield, Lockport and Newark.

Safe Passage Executive Director Mary Ellen Schaid said that having the congresswoman’s support means a great deal to the agency. The new shelter would be located at 217 Franklin St. in DeKalb just blocks from downtown.

“I am thrilled to have Lauren Underwood’s support and interest and understanding of the importance of this work that we do here,” Schaid said.

Safe Passage provides resources, shelter, programming, aid and support for survivors and families of domestic violence, including advocate work in partnership with other area agencies and nonprofits to address the prevalence of domestic violence cases in DeKalb County.

Underwood said she is committed to ensuring that funding the selected projects will go a long way in supporting the communities they represent.

“I have always made it a priority to bring the voices of the 14th District to Congress, and I’m working hard to make sure that our community’s needs are reflected in federal funding bills,” Underwood said in a news release. “From addressing health care access in Ottawa and Peru to investing in semiconductor research, these proj-