Someplace Safe
1. Can you elaborate on Someplace Safe's mission and the specific ways it works towards creating safer communities in West Central Minnesota?
Someplace Safe works each and every day to help empower survivors of crime and abuse and support them on their path to recovery. Whether it be assistance with an order for protection, providing food and clothing to someone who escaped a dangerous situation, working to secure emergency safe housing, or simply being a listening ear … our advocates provide crucial support and services in the community. Ultimately, it is our goal for survivors to gain the hope, strength, and courage needed to recover and live safer, healthier lives.
2. How has Someplace Safe made an impact on the lives of victims and survivors of crime in the nine-county region it serves?
Our services save lives … and the impact of our work on individuals and communities can not be underestimated. From safety planning to navigating the legal system, accompanying survivors to medical exams, or supporting someone during a law enforcement interview – our dedicated staff and volunteers work to create a supportive environment during some of the most trying times a person may experience.
Locally, the Someplace Safe Wilkin Advocacy Office provided crime victim services to nearly 300 individuals this past year.
3. What are the various services provided by Someplace Safe to victims and survivors of crime? How do these services address the diverse range of crimes mentioned, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking?
The Someplace Safe Wilkin Advocacy Office provides free and confidential advocacy services to survivors, as well as their family, friends, and support systems who have been impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault and exploitation, human and labor trafficking, elder abuse, harassment, stalking, theft, and other crimes. Services are client-led and include:
- - Crisis intervention
- - Legal Advocacy (assistance with protection orders, court accompaniment, criminal court tracking)
- - Medical Advocacy (medical appointment accompaniment, support during forensic exams, etc).
- - Emergency short term housing
- - Safety Planning
- - Emergency resources (food, transportation, cell phones, clothing, toiletries, household items and children’s needs)
- - Information and referrals to other community resources
- - A supportive, non-judgmental, listening ear
We cannot do this work alone. Working in partnership with law enforcement, local agencies, fellow nonprofits, faith communities, schools, supporters, and allies - we provide the most comprehensive services possible for survivors. Collaboration is key to ensure that survivors are given the information, options, resources, and support needed for recovery.
4. How does Someplace Safe ensure that its services are accessible to victims in all nine counties of West Central Minnesota?
The local Someplace Safe Wilkin Advocacy Office is located at 110 5th Street N, Breckenridge. All advocacy services are free and are accessible to all survivors of crime, abuse, and violence. Services are provided to survivors in-person, via telephone, or virtually. Someplace Safe also operates a 24-hour crisis line, a text line, as well as web chat. We encourage survivors and community members to reach out in whatever way is most comfortable/safest.
The agency as a whole covers a large geographic area throughout our 9-county West Central Minnesota service area, with 11 Advocacy Offices, 5 Parenting Time Centers, and 3 Community Thrift Stores located in Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, Wadena, and Wilkin counties. We will be opening our newest office location in Pelican Rapids this spring. The agency also offers specialized regional advocates for youth, survivors of human trafficking, and a newly hired labor trafficking advocate, whose expertise supports the unique needs of these survivors.
5. How does Someplace Safe engage with the local communities in the nine-county region to raise awareness about crime prevention and victim services?
Someplace Safe provides presentations, training and education to students, workplaces, professionals, and community groups on a variety of topics such as Domestic Violence 101, Sexual Violence Prevention, Abuse in Later Life, Exploitation and Safety, Healthy Relationships and more.
The agency also hosts a variety of awareness campaigns each year which aims to educate communities and raises support for our services. This includes the annual Denim Day Campaign in April (Sexual Assault Awareness Month) and the Day of Purple Campaign in October (Domestic Violence Awareness Month). The Someplace Safe Wilkin Advocacy Office also host 2 fundraisers each year, the Purple Power Fundraiser (February) and the annual Chili Feed Fundraiser (October), both of which provide the critical funds needed to maintain programming at its current level, with an ever increasing client load.
A record number of volunteers donated their time and talents this past year with events, fundraisers, special projects, and to assist with the renovation and move to our new office space. Internships are available at Someplace Safe and more intensive volunteer training is available for those interested in crisis line and direct client services.
6. Can you elaborate on the measures taken by Someplace Safe to ensure accessibility for all clients, including those who may require interpreters, live chat, or text services?
Accessible services such as interpreters/translators (foreign language and DHH), live chat and text options are offered and utilized based on linguistic needs, communication preferences, and cultural considerations.
7. Are there any notable success stories or testimonials from individuals who have benefited from Someplace Safe's services? (We absolutely understand the anonymity of this question, please refrain if not suitable)
We are fortunate to celebrate successes, both big and small each and every day. It is truly inspirational to see a survivor take the courageous first steps … when we see them beginning to heal and regain strength and a sense of self. Here are a few recent testimonials from clients who used Someplace Safe services:
“Non-biased, non-judgmental, understanding…To have someone hear me through the process and listen while being empathetic helped me a lot.”
“It has just has been so helpful to know that things will be ok. Now there is not so much stress for myself and my children. Someplace Safe encouraged me. Supported me. I can do this.”
“You are a blessing and a gift to us. We appreciate you more than you will ever understand.
“I am tearing up writing this. I am so grateful. I appreciate everything. We are safe. My kids are happy. Thanks again for all of your help and support.”
Other Events Held Annually by Someplace Safe
- Designer Handbags
- Silent Auction
- Raffle Boards
- Purse Scavenger Hunt
- Prize Drawings
- $1 Auction
- Mexican Cuisine
- Desserts
- Cash Bar
- Someplace Safe
110 5th Street N, Breckenridge (Former Tobias Paint & Glass) - Breckenridge Drug
- Bremer Bank in Breckenridge
- Miller Realty
- Or online at: https://events.idonate.com/purplepower24
ashley.ze@someplacesafe.info
alisha.v@someplacesafe.info
johanna.b@someplacesafe.info
- Share Day of Purple information at upcoming meetings, email the information to your co-workers, or get your social group involved.
- Hang a Day of Purple poster at work, in your meeting space or on a community bulletin board.
- Wear a Day of Purple sticker as symbol of your support and participation. (Free posters and stickers are available by request.)
- Share your #dayofpurple participation photos on social media. Show off your favorite purple fashions to your friends and followers!
