Child Abuse And Domestic Violence Organizations Open Under One Roof

January 25, 2011

The Safe Center LI is a unique collaboration among two nonprofit organizations – the Coalition Against Child Abuse and Neglect (CCAN) and the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCCADV). At the recommendation of Eric Penzer, a partner in Farrell Fritz’s Trust and Estates Department, who was also a member of the Board of Directors of CCAN, Bob Sandler was retained to negotiate CCAN’s lease at this new Bethpage facility. What began as an assignment for CCAN’s lease (as another party initially was responsible for the lease for NCCADV), became a joint leasing effort directed by Bob Sandler as each not for profit not only had their own separate space, but also have shared facilities. Bob was happy to provide his services pro bono.

The spacious facility, located in the industrial section of Bethpage, provides counseling services to victims of child abuse and domestic violence while also serving as a location to report crimes to the police. The Safe Center LI includes interview rooms with comfortable furniture, a medical exam room, and toys and games for children. There is also a special services squad of the Nassau County Police Department, where detectives work on child-abuse cases, and two rooms where they can interview people accused of abuse.

This joint leasing arrangement of two not for profits affords county residents many services under one roof. This serves as a model for future joint not for profit programs. The initiative to help victims of child abuse and domestic violence in Nassau County opened its doors in Bethpage in June 2010.