Heidi Suguitan, Director of Programs and Education, Safe Connections
Our featured partner of the month is Heidi Suguitan, who serves as the director of programs and education at Safe Connections. Heidi, an art therapist, joined Safe Connections in 2012. She says that she “loves working with people who have experienced trauma as they find healing and safety.”
Since its founding in 1976 as a domestic violence and crisis hotline, Safe Connections has become one of the largest nonprofits in St. Louis focused on preventing and ending domestic and sexual violence. The agency offers services in prevention education, crisis intervention, and counseling. Their 24-hour crisis helpline (314-531-2003), which operates 365 days per year, assists youth and adults with safety needs, emergency transportation, and referrals for area resources. Counseling, both individual and group, is offered for teen and adult survivors. Group programming includes Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills’ groups and art therapy groups. New groups for male survivors, music therapy groups, and an art therapy group for LGBTQIA+ survivors will be offered over the next year.
Project H.A.R.T. (Healthy Alternatives for Relationships Among Teens) is the youth relationship violence prevention program offered through Safe Connections. The programming, which is specifically tailored for the needs of each participating classroom or milieu, consists of youth-focused workshops and activities about a number of important topics such as conflict resolution and consent. In addition to Project H.A.R.T., Safe Connections’ prevention education arm also offers school-based psychoeducational groups (Girls’ Groups and Guys’ Groups) for students in third grade through high school. Heidi notes that the agency is currently looking to partner with additional schools in St. Louis, St. Louis County, and Jefferson County.
Heidi reports feeling excited about the prospect of referring youth and families to Project CONTACT. She says, “I’m thankful that people will get immediate care coming out of traumatic situations.” Heidi also points out that research supports the efficacy and importance of quick and early intervention to prevent longer-term problems after trauma.
Safe Connections’ crisis helpline number is 314-531-2003. Individuals interested in scheduling an intake assessment for clinical services should contact Sidreta Zuko at sidreta@safeconnections.org.