My Journey as a Multi-Faith Chaplain at the Family Safety Center

by Heidi Sullivan

Each day at the Family Safety Center in Tulsa, I step into a space where resilience meets heartbreak, and where courage quietly unfolds in the lives of those seeking safety and hope. As a multi-Faith Chaplain, my role is to walk alongside individuals and families navigating the deep complexities of domestic violence and human trafficking — to be a compassionate presence in moments when life feels uncertain or overwhelming.

The Chaplaincy at the Family Safety Center is built on a simple but powerful truth: healing happens on many levels — physical, emotional, and spiritual. Our clients often arrive carrying unimaginable burdens and fears. Some have fled dangerous situations with only the clothes on their backs. Others are taking the first steps toward reclaiming their sense of self and safety. In each encounter, I aim to provide a sense of peace and grounding — through conversation, solace, prayer (when requested), and connection to resources that nurture wholeness.

But my work extends beyond direct client care. The staff at the Family Safety Center serve on the frontlines of trauma every day. They hold stories that are often heavy, and my role includes offering them spiritual support, encouragement, solace and a reminder that caring for others begins with caring for oneself. Sometimes that looks like a moment of shared silence, a word of blessing, or simply being available to listen.

The work we do at the Family Safety Center is sacred in many ways — not because it belongs to one faith or tradition or spiritual practice, but because it honors the shared humanity that connects us all. Whether through stillness, words of comfort, hospitality, or acts of compassion, my hope is always to remind those I meet that they are not alone.

As I reflect on this journey, I am deeply grateful for the partnerships and support that make this work possible — especially the grants and donors who believe in the importance of spiritual care as part of holistic healing. Together, we are building a community where faith, hope, compassion, and justice meet — one conversation, one moment of care, one life at a time.