Safe Harbor's Leadership Team
Gigi Williams
Executive Director
A Hickory native who lived here until the age of five, Gigi returned to Catawba County in 2019. Gigi met and became friends with Vicki Murray who introduced her to Safe Harbor. When Vicki later learned about Gigi’s professional experience, she asked if she would consider filling a gap in the Community Center Manager position until a new Manager could be hired. Gigi’s plan was to stay a few months but, once she experienced the ministry of Safe Harbor and witnessed how well they loved others, she knew this was exactly where she wanted to be. After serving as the Community Center Manager, she assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer in 2022, and moved into the role of Executive Director in 2024.
A Christian, wife, mother of three great adults, and grandmother to one sweet grandson, Gigi has been married to Tony, her best friend, for forty years. She is an Appalachian State University alumni. Her professional experience includes DD Day Services Director, Residential Services Director, Social Worker, Evaluator, and Substance Abuse Counselor positions. Her hobbies include anything with her family, her animals, anything outside (beaches/mountains), and anything with water (swimming, kayaking).
Gigi serves as a lay pastor at Christ Church, is an active volunteer with her Life Group, recently completed a period of volunteering as a Guardian Ad Litem, and has years of experience volunteering in leadership roles at her previous church (Conference Delegate, served on Administrative Board, Bible Study Leader, Coordinator for church wide BBQ, Bible School Coordinator, Youth Counselor, Sunday School Teacher, etc.)
Her life verse is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Alecia Cates
Director of Operations
Alecia is a native of Lincolnton and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a double major in Political Science and African/African American Studies. Alecia has worked in management for the past 18 years in a variety of positions including Residential Counselor, Residential Coordinator, Program Manager, Assistant Director, Co-Director. She joined the Safe Harbor staff in February 2022 as Services Navigator; moving into Community Services Manager, Director of Programs and now Director of Operations.
Alecia enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She enjoys playing billiards, bowling, swimming, and traveling anywhere tropical.
Alecia’s favorite quote is from Maya Angelou: “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style.”
Sarah Blanton
Director of Development
Sarah has had the privilege of working in the substance use & recovery field since 2007 and came to Safe Harbor in 2014. Sarah began at Safe Harbor as the Lead Social Worker and Advocate providing case management duties for both the residential recovery and transitional apartment participants. She served as the Whole Woman Manager from 2016-2018 and in 2019, was given the opportunity to serve as the Recovery Services and Support Navigator where she aided in the enhancement of recovery support services offered through Safe Harbor. In 2020 Sarah advanced to the role of Program Director overseeing the GreenLeaf Transitional Program, Community Center Services, in addition to the Whole Woman Residential Recovery Program, while aiding in the development and launching of the Passage Transitional Cottage in 2022. Stepping into the role as Development Director in 2023 was an easy YES for Sarah considering her passion for ensuring that more and more women find a Christ-centered recovery community through Safe Harbor.
She resides in Bethlehem with her loving husband Josh and their three precious children: Ethan, Adalyn, and Noah. Her family loves serving the Lord together through the music ministry at their church. Sarah and her husband Josh wish to lead their children to value all life through lenses of compassion and grace.
Leading is an amazing privilege and she feels very honored to serve her community with excellence while living out her purpose. “ Serving God, my family, and this community brings so much joy and fulfillment to my life. God is on the move in our community and I am so grateful to have a front row seat to restoration and redemption through his love and through the love of his people.”
Sarah’s Life’s verse: Galatians 2:20. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
