SAFEchild Advocacy Center

**UPDATED**

Initial rating: (2 stars)
For starters, I'm an honest critique, and this rating by no means reflects the performance of the staff alone. This review lists the good and the bad, and is my attempt to provide constructive criticism in hopes of change. This business is recommended by court systems in Wake county. As such, I'd like to give it 2/5 stars due to the facts listed below:

THE BAD:
1) The courts and judges are misinformed on the duration of programs offered by this business. There are no programs that take just 30 days to complete, so please ensure that your attorney or judge is made aware of this to avoid any paragraph in custody orders requiring a timely completion of any program.
2) The onboarding process is lengthy and slow.
3) This business is understaffed, and this weakens the efficacy of the programs as well as the support offered to the community as a whole.
4) The initial phone calls are quite intrusive / invasive, where you're asked personal, triggering questions about your past without any trust or rapport established with the caller beforehand. This makes things more uncomfortable and distrusting. In my opinion, there should not be any forceful, intrusive questions asked of anyone over the phone unless agreed upon by the individual. Personal questions are best reserved for private, in-person meetings.
(... more to come, will keep updating)
5) There were teenagers or very young people who were put in charge of managing / caring for the children during weekly meetings, and perhaps they didn’t know to inform me on some things that occurred with my child. On two separate occasions, (during the childcare on weekly meetings) my child complained about being bullied by an older child, left crying, and nobody conveyed the situation to me, either they were too busy to notice it or forgot to mention it.
I felt uncomfortable bringing it up in fear of causing an issue with my future meetings, so I just stopped bringing my child to the meetings. (He usually enjoyed the time here, however)
6)The meetings run pretty late, so it wouldn’t be ideal if you have a young child and have to take them with you (meets run past bedtime)
7)Seating is arranged a little too close for comfort, and the space is quite small for the crowd. Perhaps this will change in the future.

THE GOOD:
1) Staff portrays a friendly and welcoming atmosphere when visiting in person.
2) Children are encouraged here and are cared for by volunteers and/or staff during meetings.
3) Staff here is accommodating and comforting.
(... more to come, will keep updating)
4) Dinner and dessert is served at each meeting, for both adults and children.
5) Conversations here are enlightening, informative, uplifting and inspiring. There are people who are here to support you with whatever you’re going through.
6)Getting in contact with staff is quick and reliable, I’ve never faced any issues.
7) I advocate for improvement in all aspects, and this has been quite a constructive, beneficial experience.

**this review has been updated as my experience here progressed**

I've never felt more welcome in a stressful situation. As a parent it's hard enough to ask for help in any situation, as more times you feel judged than not, but not once did I feel judged. They're more than willing to help in any way they can. Very calm and private environment.

Very friendly staff and environment. I felt very comfortable while waiting and during the appt. I was offered water and coffee by the receptionist. 😀😀

They offer tons of support to children and their families, very relaxed environment for everyone, makes you feel comfortable.

Great service!!!!

Will never put my trust into this people hand again...