SAFE is a size acceptance organization for men and women. We are open to new events and gatherings. We are not affiliated with any other national or local organization. The group functions on donations alone. All donations are used to pay the actual costs of any events that we have. No SAFE member receives any money for anything they do for the group. We do support other groups that have similar missions to ours and happily share their information with our participants.
SAFE evolved from an ISAA (International Size Acceptance Association) chapter, which focused on a swim at a pool in Long Beach and other events to support the swims. Sue and Rudy put this together. The women of the ISAA chapter formed a fat women's support group, which we called SAFE. As fate would have it, the ISAA chapter dissolved and the group temporarily re-formed as Livin' Large, an independent group, which also fizzled out. Eventually, the Long Beach swims ended. However, SAFE women's group continued to meet with its primary focus to put on a retreat in 2000. It was a grand success, and so the group continued to meet on a sporadic basis.
SAFE became more than a women's group in December 2000 when the women's group met. Monica was interested in starting up co-ed swims and had found a pool in Huntington Beach. We liked the idea. Everyone at the meeting pledged a $30 donation for the first three swims, and we agreed that if we could get sufficient pledges to support three swims, we would go forward. Monica agreed to handle the money and has done so ever since. The first swim was in February 2001, and the group became a co-ed organization with many other events planned and attended for men and women.
There have been many other size acceptance organizations in the LA-Orange county region of California over the years. Every one of them has contributed to our growth and self esteem. Many SAFE members have come from these groups and support them. Ronda and her partner Donna formed Mor2Luv back in the mid-80's. Pam put together the Big Difference. NAAFA has had chapters in LA and in Inland Empire. Were it not for these organizations and these people who fostered them, SAFE would not exist today.
The women's retreats in Big Bear were held annually from 2000 through 2003. In 2004 we had a co-ed retreat in Palm Springs. The idea of a gathering at a hotel and hanging out with our size acceptance atmosphere, without a retreat mentality, has generated our latest evolution - the fall Get-Away weekend.
From the beginning, we have made regular swims at the Huntington Beach pool one of our mainstays. The prices have been raised, we had to do them less than monthly for awhile, but interest has continued. There's just nothing like fat folks being able to float in a pool. We have done some fund raising, and now we are back to having monthly swims - second Saturday of the month. We have always wanted the swims to be something that everyone can attend, regardless of ability to pay. Thus, we ask for donations. Currently swims cost $140 for our two hour swim. This includes the price of renting the facility when it is closed to the public, having a lifeguard and a manager on duty, and having full use of the showers and changing area. Generally, we have asked people to try to donate at least $10 each, but we accept whatever people can give.
Every February we celebrate the birthday of our group. Although we once did a swim and a dinner after, we have, in recent years, made the swim a different date and set up a separate celebration for our anniversary dinner.
We have had house parties with various themes. Members have opened their homes for events including chili cook-offs, a Luau, holiday parties, teas, crafts and spa days. Individual members have organized events such as the poker parties or movie gatherings and a day at Glen Ivy (a spa with hot springs and mud baths). We sponsored a hospitality suite for the 2008 national NAAFA convention.
Our first web site was set up by Kim and that garnered interest internationally. Kim also set up our Yahoo group for a contemporaneous method of communicating. That has enabled us to have many more spontaneous events as well as remind folks of planned events. In 2008 Sheila revived our web site with a simpler name and now handles it. In coordination with Kim, we now have the history of our group and the dynamic future all in one place.
SAFE is a group that functions according to the interests and needs of its members. Anyone can step up and organize an event. Our mission has always remained the same - to provide a comfortable size accepting place to live life now.
Over the years, my role has changed from functioning in a leadership role and being involved in planning to just being available to help out and give input. Now that I am retired, I may have more time for a more active role again. Ronda has continued to staff our hotline and also serve as our mentor. Many other members have stepped up to the plate to help out, and provide immense support. We have no officers - just volunteers who are interested in planning and following through.
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