Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2020

Mid-Minnesota Women’s Center, Inc. has been providing victim advocacy services since 1978. Those services have remained, even during a worldwide health emergency, as an essential safety net for survivors of crime, who continue to be the paramount focus of our organization.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. With the global increase in domestic violence cases during the COVID-19 pandemic, awareness and action are urgently needed. This October, join us in spreading the message, activating bystanders and sharing information that can help those who are experiencing violence during this unpreceded crisis.

While our awareness and fundraising efforts look quite different this year, we are more committed to our cause than ever. Mid-Minnesota Women’s Center, Inc. is hosting an online silent auction this year in place of our annual gala that was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be open for bidding on October 18th and it will close on October 31st.

This year our goal is simple - to raise funds to continue offering life-saving services at the only domestic violence shelter located in all of Region 5.

We recognize that many are stretched thin financially, but for those who are not, we humbly ask you to consider visiting www.32auctions.com/DVAM2020 to place a bid or two; items are being added daily. Remember, Mid-Minnesota Women's Center, Inc. is an IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization #41-1324087 so all donations are tax-deductible.

Together, we can help our friends, neighbors and communities! Thank you for your consideration. We value and appreciate the support that has been given to our organization in previous years and hope you will consider attending when it is safe for us to begin hosting events again.

Mid-Minnesota Women’s Center is now Relationship Safety Alliance! We continue to be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization led by a volunteer board and an amazing staff. We continue to serve individuals who have or are experiencing some type of relationship abuse through our three signature programs and two facilities. We provide our services at no cost thanks to generous support from our donors and grant funding. We will continue to rely on our community to support these programs until the day we can eliminate the stigma around getting help and changes in the legal system ensure every abuser is held accountable.

Relationship Safety Alliance’s three signature programs are:

o Louise Seliski Shelter - Opened in 1978, we believe no one deserves or wants to be abused. All people have the right to be physically protected by the society in which they live. RSA recognizes that most people stay in a violent home because they have nowhere else to go and because they are afraid. The Louise Seliski Shelter (the only 24-hour emergency shelter in Region 5) provides a secure facility where people can be physically safe while beginning the process of finding healthy alternatives to their violent situation. The Shelter’s major objectives are to provide 24-hour intake at the physical shelter, 24-hour crisis hotline, on-scene advocacy, information and referrals to residents and non-residents, assistance with filing orders for protective orders and accompaniment and support at court hearings. The Louise Seliski Shelter provides residential services to more than 400 individuals (men, women and children and their pets) every year. More than 5,500 additional people receive non-residential services from our shelter annually.

o Alex & Brandon Child Safety Center - Since 2000, the Alex & Brandon Child Safety Center has been family-friendly and nurturing place where families in crisis can visit with each other in safety 365 days a year. This includes children and their parents who have been involved in an abusive relationship and/or conflict over visitation. We also welcome parents who are allowed contact with their children in foster care to arrange to visit them at the Center. Alex & Brandon Child Safety Center is an ideal place for a parent and child who have never met to become acquainted or for parents and children who haven’t seen each other for a long time to get reacquainted. Every year we provide more than 1,500 individuals (including more than 500 children) with supervised visitation and safe exchange services.

o Support Groups, Outreach & Education - RSA offers self-help support groups for clients, residents and the community. We also offer educational speakers and professional trainings free of charge.

We envision a future where the collective voices of survivors and advocates will transform our community to one where healthy relationships thrive, abuse is not tolerated and individuals have the resources to succeed. We know you do too so here’s how you can get involved: donate, tour our facilities, volunteer, attend our events and speak out.

Generous community partners, just like YOU, provide invaluable assistance to our clients, residents and staff. RSA could not operate without your support. We have amazing volunteers supporting our victimization programs and services each year.

Know that when you support Relationship Safety Alliance, you are making a difference for real families experiencing real crisis. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for supporting our cause!

Visit our social media accounts for more information about our programs https://www.facebook.com/MMWomCtr/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/relationship-safety-alliance-fka-mid-minnesota-women-s-center-139187125/.