New Safe House for Women director starts job Monday

After spending 30 years working for a state agency that often kept her on the road, Michelle Scherer can stay closer to home.

Scherer, of Benton, Mo., is a former administrator in Missouri's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation who spent the past 20 years traveling around Missouri dealing with state and federal agencies. She has been chosen as the next executive director of Cape Girardeau's Safe House for Women and is slated to begin her new job Monday.

Safe House is a Cape Girardeau-based not-for-profit shelter for victims of domestic violence. It was formed in 1991 and provides safe shelter, a 24-hour crisis hotline, case management, counseling, court advocacy, referral services and education programs, according to its website.

The shelter's location is kept secret to protect victims from their abusers.

"It's a slightly different industry, obviously," Scherer said. "I'm kind of a local person and am very interested in working in a position that is public service in nature."

She spent several weeks before her official first day on the job getting brought up to speed on Safe House.

Scherer said she has a strong background in administering organizations. Also, much of her job will involve fundraising and grant writing.

"I do have a great deal of experience in dealing with government funding on the state and federal level. There are a lot of guidelines involved there," she said.

The previous director, Linda Garner, resigned Jan. 27, prompting a four-month search for her replacement, said interim director Allison Leonard. Leonard is director of the shelter.

"I'm optimistic," Leonard said. "I'm sure she'll be great. We need a leader as far as fundraising. I have been doing some of it but not to the extent that it could be done. It is not my expertise."

One of the primary fundraising events held for Safe House is the Vintage Now Fashion Show. The next show is scheduled for late October, but the date has not been finalized.

In 2009, the crisis hotline received 579 calls and the shelter housed 83 clients. In 2010, the hotline received 721 calls and the shelter housed 75 clients.

The organization may be experiencing growing pains. It moved into a 10,000-square-foot complex at 230 N. Spring St. in January. Rent at the new site is $4,300 a month. At the old site, it was $2,700. Safe House pays the rent with money earned through the thrift shop.

The organization's 12th annual Going the Distance for Victims of Violence 5K run, scheduled for June 23, was recently canceled because it lacked sponsors, according to a Facebook page devoted to the event.

"We were down two full-time positions, so we didn't have the resources to organize it," Leonard said. "We contacted some of the sponsors who normally support it, but they have cut back. A lot of people have cut back."

Leonard said the organization is finalizing plans for its fashion show.

The first year, it brought in about $2,500, Leonard said. Last year it generated more than $30,000.

Fundraising for the organization will be her biggest challenge, Scherer said.

"Most of my fundraising experience has been on a smaller scale," Scherer said. "This job will keep me in the realm of something I like to do."

jgamm@semissourian.com

573-388-3635

Pertinent address:

230 N. Spring St., Cape Girardeau, MO