Who makes up the Sanctuary Night staff? How is the staff qualified?
There are 17 staff members in total, 14 of whom hold a board-certified license to provide clinical care, peer support, and chemical dependency counseling.
11 staff members (65%) have lived experience with substance use or homelessness or are sex industry survivors or sex trafficking survivors.
Three members are independently licensed and provide clinical supervision to others through peer support and chemical dependency licenses/certificates (LPCC-S, LPCC, LISW-S.)
Seven staff (41%) live in the Franklinton/Hilltop area.
One man is on staff as the finance director.
Does Sanctuary Night have government certification to do its work?
We are certified by the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, which serves as our governing body.
What is the methodology behind Sanctuary Night?
Sanctuary Night endorses a Harm Reduction approach, which means, among other things, that we support womxn without judgment. Their activities or addictions are not barriers to receiving care.
How many womxn has Sanctuary Night helped since its doors opened?
We have helped more than 1,000 womxn by providing a safe space to access vital and lifesaving resources. In partnership with RREACT, 41 womxn have been transferred to detox/treatment from Sanctuary Night since it opened. In 2024, SN Staff assisted 30 additional womxn to get into treatment or stable housing. In January 2025 alone, 19 individuals were able to access treatment from Sanctuary Night. We now have 36 individuals thriving in our “alumni” program. We also have provided access to mental and behavioral health services, paving the way for a brighter and more stable future for womxn impacted by the sex industry.
Do people live inside or on the Sanctuary Night property?
No, there are no residential facilities on site, and we do not condone camping on site. We have also put up a fence around our building and turned off external water spigots and outlets to keep our property from being attractive for loitering.
Sanctuary Night self-identifies as a safe space for womxn. Why have men been hanging around the property?
We primarily serve womxn, but explored the option of better-serving womxn by also attending to the men with whom they associated (Harm Reduction principle 6). Considering the feedback from the broader Franklinton community, we have undertaken steps to prevent loitering around our facility and ensure it’s a safe space for womxn. Resources are publicly posted outside our facility for men or other community members who need services Sanctuary Night doesn’t provide.
Does Sanctuary Night have an onsite drug policy?
Yes. We have a strict drug policy and do NOT permit drug use in our building or on our property. Clients must review and adhere to our community rules they receive during their first visit. We recognize the reality of addiction among our clientele and do not deny them services as a result. However, consequences are in place for those who violate the policy.
What do womxn need to do to receive services from Sanctuary Night?
Beginning March 1, guests must sign an agreement when they enter our facility agreeing to our newly updated policies and procedures. According to our policies, clients who violate these rules are given a break from the building; the length of the break may escalate with continued offenses.
How else does Sanctuary Night contribute positively to the neighborhood?
Staff and volunteers pick up trash around our building at the opening and closing of each operating shift. Once a week, we clean up the block around our facility, from the bridge at Yale Ave. to Central Ave. We are also making improvements to our garbage policy, including adding locks to our dumpster.
What efforts do you have in place to ensure the neighborhood's safety, specifically regarding the safety concerns with 1195 Sullivant Avenue?
We are committed to working in good faith with local authorities to ensure the neighborhood's safety. We have signed a Trespass Authorization Form, permitting Columbus Police to remove people from our property when we are closed. We are also improving onsite security measures, including exploring options for private security services. We are shoring up our drug policy and enforcing stricter consequences for clients who violate this policy.
What are the plans for the vacant lot at 1199 Sullivant Avenue?
Our current plan is to create an outdoor space with a privacy fence. We also hope to commission an artist to create a lovely mural, which would add vibrancy and art to the neighborhood.
Why is serving food important to our work?
Working toward a client's goals without nutritional satisfaction is difficult, so our staff ensures that our client's basic needs are met. We used to provide food to anyone who knocked on our door and was hungry, including men. However, as of March 1, 2025, as a result of our feedback from our Franklinton community, food is only provided inside to womxn who come to our facility for services. We recommend shelters and/or food distribution sites for other community members in need.
How can questions or concerns be shared with Sanctuary Night?
Sanctuary Night welcomes feedback! If you have any questions or concerns, you are encouraged to email our Leadership Team.
Does Sanctuary Night have a Board of Directors that oversees the organization?
As a non-profit, our Board of Directors oversees our work. As of 2025, our Board Chair is Bethany Suchy and our Vice Chair is Dayna McCrary.
Does Sanctuary Night receive Medicaid reimbursement and what billable services are you providing?
Yes. Our billable services include conducting assessments, providing peer support, substance use disorder case management, some counseling, and CPST (community psychiatric supportive treatment).
Our Medicaid reimbursement has totaled more than $113,000 since we opened in 2022.
How much money has Sanctuary Night received in government funding?
Since 2019, Sanctuary Night has received about $1.5 million through governmental grants. See our most recent 990.