Bluff Country Family Resources Inc

EDUCATION, INTERVENTION, SUPPORT TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ASSAULT, ABUSE & HOMELESSNESS

EMERGENCY SHELTER: A BRIEF STAY IN A HOTEL/MOTEL WHERE THE PERSON WILL BE SAFE IN THE IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE. WE ARE ALSO PART OF MINNESOTA'S DAY ONE SERVICES, A STATE-WIDE NETWORK OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS AND PROVIDERS. 24-HOUR CRISIS LINE: OUR ORGANIZATION MAINTAINS A 24-HOUR CRISIS LINE, STAFFED BY EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEER ADVOCATES, FOR ANYONE WHO MAY BE EXPERIENCING A CRISIS. OUR TRAINED ADVOCATES WALK THE CALLER THROUGH SAFETY ASSESSMENTS, LISTEN AND SUPPORT THE CALLER, PROVIDE OR ARRANGE TRANSPORT TO SAFETY IF NEEDED, AND HELP THE CALLER CREATE A SAFETY PLAN IF APPROPRIATE. SAFE AT HOME: WE PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN ACQUIRING A SAFE ADDRESS THROUGH MINNESOTA'S SAFE AT HOME PROGRAM TO THOSE EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC AND/OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE. PERSONAL AND LEGAL ADVOCACY: OUR STAFF PROVIDES PERSONAL ADVOCACY BY SUPPORTING VICTIM SURVIVORS THROUGH THEIR SITUATIONS, BOTH EMOTIONALLY AND FINANCIALLY. ADVOCATES ASSIST SURVIVORS IN COMPLETING ORDERS FOR PROTECTION, ACCOMPANIMENT TO COURT, SAFETY PLANNING, OFFERING HOUSEHOLD ITEMS AND CLOTHING THROUGH OUR STARTING OVER SHELF, AND OVERALL SUPPORT. OUR ADVOCATES ARE NOT ATTORNEYS, BUT ARE EDUCATED IN LAWS SURROUNDING DOMESTIC AND/OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND WILL PROVIDE ONE-TO-ONE PROBLEM SOLVING ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO THOSE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING IT. SUPPORT GROUPS: WE OFFER AND REFER OUT TO A VARIETY OF SUPPORT GROUPS FOR SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE, INCLUDING CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY GROUPS, ABUSED WOMEN SUPPORT GROUPS, AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE SUPPORT GROUPS BOTH IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL. INFORMATION AND REFERRAL: STAFF IS TRAINED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND REFERRALS TO CALLERS AND CLIENTS ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS RELATED TO DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND HOUSING INSECURITY DUE TO VIOLENCE. WE HAVE A NETWORK OF OTHER PROVIDERS THAT WE REGULARLY REFER TO DEPENDING ON CLIENT NEEDS. COMMUNITY EDUCATION: STAFF IS AVAILABLE TO SPEAK TO COMMUNITY GROUPS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AND THOSE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT TOPICS INCLUDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, STALKING, TEEN DATING VIOLENCE, ELDER ABUSE, BULLYING, AND GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION. SUPPORT FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS: WE OFFER SUPPORT TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED DOMESTIC AND/OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE TO WORK THROUGH THEIR FEELINGS AND SUPPORT THE SURVIVOR IN WORKING THROUGH THEIRS. WE ENCOURAGE FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO LET THE SURVIVOR TAKE THE LEAD IN THEIR OWN RECOVERY. WE EMPHASIZE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS BELIEVE THEM, RESPECT THEM, ACCEPT THEM, LISTEN TO THEM, LET THEM MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS, AND CARE ABOUT THEIR WELLBEING AND YOUR OWN.

OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE BATTERED WOMAN, SAFEHOME, EMERGENCY FUNDS, ANDWINONA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION.