They are the stories not talked about - but should be talked about.
Dealing with domestic abuse - to include the very assault of a person in their home - needs to have “its cover.”
Still, people need to know - because they are continually-opening sores within the community, in a school student, or the family next door. Or, inside one’s home.
The near-200 attending the annual Rivers of Hope fundraiser ball at Carousell Works in Big Lake Saturday got as up-close-and-personal as possible to a young victim Saturday.
The person, at a tender age when every experience should be a dream, told of her nightmares.
The young person suffered the worst of abuse, and now is suffering a fractured family. A young victim is now having to separate from what should have been her safety net and cling to a new lifeline.
That lifeline, a young case worker, was Advocate Michelle, who broke into tears as the young survivor spoke with the crowd.
The young person talked of being so afraid, of “walking on eggshells,” in relations with her family. Until she finally reached out to Rivers of Hope, those “eggshells” may have been the only thing holding her up from the depths of things even worse.
“For years, I felt like I was alone,” the young person said. Not a good place to be for a young person not knowing help was a call away.
The call was finally placed to Michelle, who has helped guide her back to stability - and a sense of sanity.
These events are all too commonplace for Michelle and her fellow staffers at Rivers of Hope.
During 2016, they responded to an estimate 1,200 calls for information - or assistance - from residents in Sherburne and Wright counties.
Michelle is the specialist who is now dealing with 80 local students, “with stories like this person,” says Exeutive Director Chris Pommerenke of ROH.
“She’s meeting with 80 students on a weekly basis. Michelle makes herself available to meet with these young people.”
The phone number is 763-295-3433. People can call them 24/7.
An Attorney Helps
Many cases advancing into the court system, when restraining orders and decrees for divorce become necessary, result in a phone call to a helpful attorney.
Heather Olson, Buffalo attorney, has been providing legal services to abuse victims for several years. She spoke of her experiences to the group Saturday.
The strength of the young victim in getting out - leaving her family - is the strength that should be admired, Olson said.
“Abusers use physical strength and intimidating against their victims, but this does not make them strong.”
She asked the assembly to give the young victim another round of applause.
More statistics.
In 2016, ROH worked with 223 women and 29 men in Sherburne County and another 335 women and 24 men in Wright County.
During the past school year, the ROH youth advocates provided services to students in nine middle schools and high schools in Wright County and 10 middle schools and high schools in Sherburne County.
In 2016, ROH advocates assisted victims with 126 protective orders - over double the number when compared with the previous year, she reported.
Support Services
Rivers of Hope maintains a home in the area which will service as a refuge for a family needing protection for the short term. They’ve had the “safe house” since March of 2016. It’s being used.
Saturday afternoon, the ROH office had a surprise visitor. A young women was there, with three kids in her car. No money, just the clothes on her back, seeking help.
The organization, from its office in downtown Monticello, also provides support services like gas cards, food rations, clothing and Christmas packages to families in need.
A Charitable Firm
ROH, in existence since 1989 when started by Elk River High School Principal Jean Moyer, is designed as a non-profit charitable organization, earning most of its funding from state non-profit organizations.
But a goodly share of its funding does come from local groups, businesses and from Sherburne and Wright counties.
Included in that was the approximate $40,000 earned Saturday evening.
Pommerenke also reported to the Tribune this week their efforts to secure additional funding will likely result in the hiring of a half-time advocate - to deal with students.
