Giving Her Heart to the Southwest Safehouse
When Tammie Barger moved to Durango just as the COVID pandemic hit, she didn’t know it would lead her to one of the most meaningful roles of her life. A retired events and travel professional from Houston, Tammie had spent years coordinating behind the scenes, but now she’s serving on the front lines of healing at VOA Colorado’s Southwest Safehouse.
The Southwest Safehouse in Durango provides a secure, confidential haven for survivors of domestic violence and their children. More than just shelter, it offers critical support services like safety planning, advocacy, and emotional healing that help individuals rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. The Safehouse is a place of refuge, resilience, and renewal, where compassionate care empowers families to take their first courageous steps toward a safer future.
For the past two and a half years, Tammie has brought warmth, creativity, and consistency to women and children seeking refuge from domestic violence. From hosting dinners and crafts to her favorite, decorating the Safehouse for Christmas, Tammie shows up with her whole heart. It’s personal: a friend’s tragic loss planted a deep compassion in her soul.
One story still stays with her: a mother of five children, all under age seven, working courageously to break free. “Her kids were so loving,” Tammie recalls. “It was sad when they left, but we were all so happy she got her own place.”
For Tammie, it’s all worth it. Worth it to be a listening ear. Worth it to be a steady presence. Worth it to remind each person that someone truly cares.
Her advice to future volunteers? “Find what your passion is and go do it. Anything you give makes a difference.”
You can make a difference, too. Volunteers are needed now more than ever. Bring your optimism, share your skills, and help create a safe, loving space for those who need it most. Find out more here