United Family Services rebrands as Safe Alliance

United Family Services, one of the region’s oldest social service agencies, has changed its name to Safe Alliance after undergoing a year-long strategic planning process.

Officials unveiled the nonprofit’s new name and enhanced mission earlier this month during an open house aimed at spreading awareness about its services.

Safe Alliance will continue to support victims of domestic and sexual violence through a range of shelter, counseling, legal and advocacy services, according to a news release from the agency. The nonprofit serves tens of thousands of people each year in Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Union and south Iredell counties.

Phil Kline, president and CEO of Safe Alliance, said the name change is meant to reflect the need for people to live in a safe and supportive environment, and to show how the nonprofit works with clients, other organizations and the community to achieve its vision of sustaining healthy relationships and eliminating domestic/sexual violence and child abuse.

“True to our 103-year legacy, United Family Services is once again responding to meet the needs of the community,” Kline said. “We have restructured our services and chosen a new name and logo that best aligns with our new structure.”

Safe Alliance’s new mission will focus on providing hope and healing to people in crisis, specifically survivors of domestic and sexual violence and child abuse, while expanding outreach efforts that teach adults and children to build safe, healthy relationships, said Kline.

“Now that we are in our second century of service to the community, the Safe Alliance board agreed unanimously that refreshing our brand better reflects our mission and is exactly the right thing to do,” said John Tighe, chairman of nonprofit’s board of directors. “Our new name is another example of positive change that we believe more effectively communicates the critical work we do in providing sanctuary, services, programs and counseling for those in crisis.”

The nonprofit’s new logo, a lotus flower, also holds symbolic meaning. The petals of the lotus flower are the national awareness colors for domestic violence (purple), sexual assault (teal), child abuse (blue) and mental health (green), according to the news release.

“We believe it is a powerful symbol of the work we do,” said Tighe. “The lotus flower begins life in mud at the bottom of a pond. It grows upward through the water’s waves and currents and blooms into a beautiful flower when it surfaces. This speaks directly to the inspirational journey our clients travel with Safe Alliance.”

Merl Hamilton, Concord’s assistant city manager and former Concord chief of police, said the number of people who need the type of assistance offered by Safe Alliance is greater than most would want to believe.

From a law enforcement perspective, Hamilton said, he applauds the work of the agency in our community.

“The new name … is a wonderful idea, as it says everything these victims need to hear,” he said. “They can be safe, they can be empowered to overcome tragedy, and there is a network of experts standing with them.” Staff reports