Construction has officially begun on The Umbrella Center: a best practice, centralized location for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, human trafficking, and child abuse in Mecklenburg County. After years of planning and collaboration, the project is now entering a pivotal phase that will turn the vision of victim-centered, coordinated care into a reality: all under one roof.
To mark the beginning of this new chapter, community leaders and partner organizations visited the site early in construction. They wrote meaningful messages on the walls, including some messages from our team at Safe Alliance. These words now live inside the walls of the Center, a permanent symbol that this space is being built with heart.
What is The Umbrella Center?
The Umbrella Center is built on the Family Justice Center model, designed to reduce barriers and streamline access to critical, life-saving support. It brings together advocates, counselors, law enforcement, legal professionals, medical providers, housing specialists, and more, under one roof, to offer survivors a safe and welcoming space for healing.
Laura Lawrence, CEO of Safe Alliance, explained it best: "For our clients, who are victims of domestic and sexual violence and human trafficking, having services all in one place with the many providers we work with each day will be transformative. It will change the pathway for survivors and their families."
"The idea is, let's bring everyone who touches the life of a victim, right after an incident and well into their healing journey, into one place, instead of keeping services in silos," Talbot Snow, Operations & Initiatives Manager, shared. "We have to do it together."
Instead of requiring individuals to navigate different systems across the city, The Umbrella Center brings those spaces together. It's a space rooted in collaboration, dignity, and healing.
How Did We Get Here?
The vision began in 2017, when a team in Mecklenburg County visited the Guilford County Family Justice Center in Greensboro to observe electronic filing of Domestic Violence Protection Orders. As one Charlotte judge put it during that visit, "What we really need is a Family Justice Center." That spark led to years of planning and vision-building.
These centers were first developed in San Diego in 2002, after prosecutors realized victims need far more than a conviction to heal. The model is rooted in a simple yet important idea: what if all the people and resources that survivors need were not only connected, but in a shared space?
With guidance from national experts and strong local leadership, Charlotte began developing its own version of the model. After numerous meetings and discussions, our agency partners chose a nonprofit-led structure, with Safe Alliance as the lead.
"We've committed over seven years to see this project through because we believe it will help our clients heal," Laura emphasized. "And it will also help our staff. This space is primarily focused on our clients, but it's also going to make it easier for us to serve."
Charlotte made the bold decision to build the Umbrella Center using trauma-informed design and sustainable planning. The $46 million project is funded through public and private contributions, including support from Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte, federal grants, foundations, and community donors.
"We've had over 13 individuals or foundations give $1 million or more," Laura shared. "This is truly a public-private partnership in every way."
Today, the work is more than an idea. With construction underway, the Center is on track to open its doors in September of 2026.
"2026 feels far away, but in the scheme of things, it's a short amount of time compared to the whole process," one project team member shared.
What started as a conversation has become a collective, county-wide movement. And now, it's become a physical space built with care.
Who and What You'll Find Inside 
When complete, the Umbrella Center will house teams from:
- Safe Alliance
- Pat's Place Child Advocacy Center
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Special Victims Division
- Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services
- Mecklenburg County Community Support Services
- Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office
- Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office
- Atrium Health
- Alliance Health
- Legal Aid of North Carolina
Other highlights will include:
- A walk-in model for coordinated support
- On-site forensic exams and documentation assistance
- A food pantry for clients experiencing food insecurity
- Drop-in space for other community partners
This space will meet survivors wherever they are, providing access to care and allowing them to explore their options and make empowered decisions about their next steps.
What Comes Next?
This fall, partner agencies will begin in-depth operational planning. We'll answer essential questions like:
- How does a survivor move through the space?
- How do agencies share information responsibly and ethically?
- What does safety look like in every corner of the building?
As Laura says, "This isn't just a Safe Alliance project. It's not just Pat's Place or CMPD or the County. Every group has had to make steps and be willing to change, to trust the unknown, and to move forward together."
Step by step, we're building more than a facility. We're creating a place where healing begins the moment someone walks through the door.
Want to Stay Involved?
The Umbrella Center is a community effort, and there are meaningful ways you can be a part of it.
Right now, the most impactful way to support the project is through donations, which helps fund construction and operations.
As the project progresses, we'll continue to share behind-the-scenes updates: photos, milestones, and glimpses of what's to come. Whether you're a longtime advocate or newly inspired, your support moves us one step closer to opening our doors in 2026.
We're also exploring future volunteer opportunities and partnerships to ensure the space is truly community-powered.
You can learn more, get involved, or make a gift at:
