BVP Project Safe Haven also known as Butterfly Visions Project (BVP) was founded to be a voice for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Founder, Tiffany Brown, is a survivor of both domestic violence and sexual assault. Tiffany lost her virginity due to rape as she was entering high school and started sharing her story of sexual assault in college educating classes, students and staff on dating and intimate partner violence. After enduring another instance of sexual assault and stalking in 2005 (foundation for her book Reality Check: A Survivor Story), Tiffany reactively moved to Charlotte, NC, out of fear for her life and wellbeing, to be closer to her family and to start her life over in an environment that did not remind her daily of her traumatic past that included child molestation and multiple abusive relationships.
After leaving yet another abusive relationship in Charlotte, NC, Tiffany entered into intensive counseling to not only address depression but Tiffany understood the need to go back to her past to resolve the traumatic experiences and to truly start healing from the inside out. Tiffany was also appreciative of the police officers who repeatedly came to her home that she lived in with her abuser by providing resources, showing compassion and ultimately helping her create a safety plan and was there to enforce it. Tiffany also was connected to various resources in the community to help her with navigating the court system, finding safe shelter and housing, and gaining financial assistance to care for the needs of her family.
As a result of receiving amazing support and resources on her self-healing journey, Tiffany wanted to do more by starting Butterfly Visions Project in June 2015. BVP was originally started to be a voice for the voiceless and to educate communities about sexual assault and domestic violence through public speaking, facilitating workshops and working with Mecklenburg County to assist residents where needed during a crisis. BVP educated over 1200 individuals on sexual assault and domestic violence, connected over 300 victims to resources including emergency services provided by BVP, facilitated over 30 workshops to youths educating youths on dating and intimate partner violence and how to give back to their communities for causes they are passionate about and supported 10 survivors in going from a survivor to an advocate.
BVP received three grants from Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, NC to support the mission of BVP. The last and most awarded grant was granted to launch Project Safe Haven program to provide emergency shelter to victims of domestic violence in partnership with Renewed Inspiration. After receiving this grant and the funds quickly running out due to the overwhelming need of shelter for domestic violence victims, Tiffany and the Board of BVP recognized that though they were successfully serving their community and carrying out their mission, they would have an even greater impact continuing to provide emergency shelter to victims of domestic violence and their families along with the needs that come with leaving an abusive relationship including providing clothing, toiletries, and case management.
As of August 2022, Butterfly Visions Project became BVP Project Safe Haven. Project Safe Haven’s mission is to provide emergency shelter to victims of domestic violence, referrals to needed programs, and case management that includes finding permanent housing, connecting victims and their families to counseling, meeting basic daily needs, coaching, educating, and mentoring plus other services that victims and their families may need to become self-sufficient and to regain self-efficacy. BVP is currently looking for Sponsors to help fund the Emergency Shelter Fund among individuals and businesses. If you are interested in supporting the mission of BVP Project Safe Haven by becoming a Sponsor, please contact us at bvpprojectsafehaven@gmail.com.
