(Editor’s Note: The following feature on Rivers of Hope youth advocacy services has been provided by the ROH staff and supporters)

Rivers of Hope is a link for Sherburne and Wright County youth experiencing family or teen dating violence, to the services and support available to them. 

Mel Harmon, a five-year youth advocate with Rivers of Hope, a Domestic Violence agency located in Monticello but serving all of Wright and Sherburne counties, sees the growth in youth as a rewarding but telling fact of  support needed and education to be done. Harmon is one of four Youth Advocates at Rivers of Hope serving youth clients (usually students in school). Rivers of Hope’s services are provided through an open door understanding at all middle and high schools in both counties.

Of 800 persons seen in 2022 by ROH staff, 160 are students or school-aged. That is a 49% increase in advocacy activity for youth and adults from the previous year. (Adult advocacy services are available on a 24-7 bases – only a phone call away.)

Abuse impacting youth can take many forms; much of it from their home/family situations. But they arise from many other sources, including dating relationships, too. Youth impacted by family violence are in a quandary says Hannah-Ruth Patterson, Executive Director at ROH. “Often kids aren’t able to leave family situations,” she says. “Adults can file orders for protection.”

The youth aren’t usually the party who steps forward to speak to a ROH advocate at school. They are usually referred by someone who sees their struggles and is concerned. Harmon explains the first check-in with the youth takes place when the youth is drawn out of a class for a 30-minute “meet and greet,” as she calls it. During that initial check-in, the Youth Advocate empowers the youth to tell us what they need for support. The youth get to decide if they are interested in meeting again to heal, to learn, and to grow.

There is no protocol determining the number of visits to take place, but Harmon says some of her relations with youth have gone on for five years. She tells of a female client who struggled with self-esteem due to her parents being verbally and emotionally abusive. “

Her home life was very unsettled and unpredictable,” Harmon said. “We talked a lot about how she could use her voice and how to set appropriate, healthy boundaries. Sometimes it is necessary to Safety Plan with you in these types of situations, too.”

This youth has a goal of working in the Mental Health profession,- so she can help others who might be living in a similar home like hers, Harmon said. This youth continues to work hard so she is equipped to be the best version of herself. She profoundly shared, “I can heal and be fully healthy once I leave the environment that is making me sick.”

A Good Background

Harmon’s education and professional background have prepared her in great measure to make the difference she is with the youth and their school systems. She earned a four-year education degree from Concordia College, a Masters degree in School Counseling from NDSU, taught in both public and private education in addition to worked in youth ministry.

She notes her education background has been a positive bridge builder between schools and staff and ROH. “Being a Youth Advocate has allowed me to be able to use my education and counseling background,” she said. “Understanding how schools operate as well as the demands of teaching – it all builds trust.”

The Agreement

Harmon explained the contract formed between ROH and the schools is essentially an agreement, with no financial considerations. It details the host school opening the door to an office where a ROH Youth Advocate can see the youth. The agreement explains the responsibilities of the school and ROH. The youth are empowered to take charge of what they want to check-in about and what they want to work on. There are no financial responsibilities for the school; however, they may be solicited during fundraising. Elk River School District has had a long history of financially supporting the work done in their schools.

Client Population

Youth in their last two years of high school are the largest group of clients at ROH youth services. Patterson provided age-group users of the services in 2022 as follows: Ages 7-10 – 8; Ages 11-12 – 18; Ages 13-14 – 34; Ages 15-16 – 61; Ages 17-18 – 58.

Harmon reported that up to 40% of her student clients have been male. She shared the story of a male client who had a strained relationship with his alcoholic father. The youth was eager to learn some coping strategies to be able to live with his father in addition wanted some tools on how to control his own anger. After months of talking through his situation, giving him resources, and equipping him with “tools,” the youth commented, “I’m in a much better place.”

There is a special message Harmon reminds all of her youth after every check-in, “1. You are important; and 2. You are valued.”

“My hope is that over the course of time the youth begin to believe this.”

Public Outreach

Patterson and Harmon point to a growing emphasis at ROH for their significant growth in juvenile clients. They’ve met with law departments, attorneys, health departments, county health and human services and schools and health professionals. Their messages have been getting answered.

Patterson noted this week that Harmon received 12 referrals involving youth needing support. “We’ve really been pushing outreach in the community,” said Patterson. “The message is being received and absorbed.”

The Victim’s Voice

The success of Rivers of Hope is not a surprise to Sherburne County Attorney Kathleen Heaney, whose office has prosecuted abuse cases for all her 30-plus years in office. A member  of her legal team, as well as several from the Wright County Attorneys Office, have sat on the ROH board to help direct the organization.

“Having the victims’ voices heard in court is invaluable,” she says. “We’re always trying to seek safety measures for our clients and ROH is an invaluable resource. This process allows survivors to be heard. We appreciate their work, their advocacy and their partnership.”

Financial Support

Rivers of Hope is a charitable non-profit organization. It relies on various funding to support its approximate $750,000 annual budget. Half the receipts come from government and large charitable corporations. The remaining half comes from local businesses, organizations and individuals.

ROH is in the midst of its annual appeal for financial support. Mailers are being sent to past contributors. They will also be participating in the annual Give to the Max Day, Nov. 17. The Walk for Hope fundraiser was held in August. Their biggest event, the spring Gala, will be held May 4 at Rockwoods in Otsego.

Providing Assistance

Rivers of Hope can be reached at their office in Monticello – 763-295-3433. Their office email is info@riversofhope.org. Their website is www.riversofhope.org. Their mailing address is ROH, Box 511, Monticello, MN. 55362.