MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- There's no greater testament to the impact of Milwaukee's Sojourner Family Peace Center than the words of abuse and violence survivors who have taken advantage of their services. 

For a full decade, the family peace center has been a place of safety and healing for those victims and their families. 

On Thursday, May 28, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Milwaukee County District Attorney Kent Lovern and others honored the work of the center and its president and CEO, Carmen Pitre. 

"I came from a home where violence was an issue as a kid. My mother would have dreamed of a place like this," said Pitre. "I think the impact on survivors' lives is the biggest takeaway for me." 

Not only do survivors find shelter and safety at the family peace center, but there are also 10 nonprofit groups on hand to support them. 

On Thursday, Lynn Marie -- a woman who describes herself as a sexual assault survivor -- talked about how the family peace center helped her nine years ago. 

"The hardest thing for me to overcome is feeling that I am valued, feeling that I'm worth it. And I am and I was taught that from them, " said Marie. "They were, you know, just the tender loving care...just everything, just their voices made me feel safe and it gave me hope."

That hope in many cases has bene justified. According to the peace center, more than two thirds of survivors who seek services there report that their abuse did not happen again within a year.