In 1982, Philip Bray took to the streets to rescue child prostitutes and runaways who were being sexually exploited in Atlanta, Georgia. Inspired by his own experiences, he wanted to "reach out to those who the Church considered unreachable."

At 7th and Peachtree Streets, a booth in a local restaurant became the headquarters for SafeHouse Outreach. Within 6 months, hundreds of volunteers were coming together and reaching out to anyone in need, and SafeHouse Outreach outgrew the booth and moved to a storefront off Peachtree Street. SafeHouse became known within the city as a place where anyone was welcome to come for assistance. This was the beginning of how SafeHouse Outreach or SHO became a full-service community development organization.
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Recognized by mayors, governors, and the Presidents of the United States, SafeHouse Outreach offers a hand-up and not just a hand-out, impacting lives and changing communities while actively working to find solutions for those in crisis.