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Domestic violence victims have help locally

Deborah Prescott | Daily Press T-shirts hang on a clothesline in the food court at the Delta Plaza Mall. Through the month of October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the display will be up with information pamphlets and a box for donations to go to the local shelter, Tri-County Safe Harbor. Intimate abuse survivors and their family members created the T-shirts to bring awareness of local domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking of victims.

ESCANABA — Though the name has changed many times before it became Tri-County Safe Harbor, Inc. Delta, Schoolcraft and Menominee Counties (Safe Harbor), the caring spirit of helping victims of domestic and sexual abuse and stalking situations has never changed from its start 37 years ago. The name reflects the area where it provides free and confidential assistance.

Before it became what it is today, the shelter started from simple acts of kindness — volunteers operating a crisis line and offering their homes as shelter to victims.

“In 1982 we started as a safe house in Gladstone,” said Tri-County Safe Harbor Executive Director Erin Viau.

In 1983, the State of Michigan Department of Social Services, now known as the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), provided Safe Harbor a $55,000 grant. With the grant, Safe Harbor rented a three bedroom home and moved the crisis line in.

The demand increased for shelter facilities and in 1996 they moved into the location they are at now. The shelter houses 15 residents, an office, and the crisis line — and still they need to increase their facilities.

“We provide a place for victims to heal and build skills,” said Viau. “A place to be, learn and thrive out from under someone forcing their power and control on them. Unfortunately, the demand continues and we need to build a larger shelter. We’ll need to build in line with the state’s requirements to keep people safe. The new building will stay within the (Escanaba) city limits.”

Viau and her team are just beginning the fundraising campaign for the new building. She’s excited about one fundraiser in particular.

“We’re planning a murder/mystery dinner in March at the casino,” said Viau. “I don’t think we’ve had one of those around here, so I’m hoping we’ll get a good turnout.”

Viau said a lot of the funding for the shelter comes from federal and state grants and local donations. The non-profit program receives funding from events like the golfing event “Drive Away Violence”, brat sales, and other activities.

Volunteering is a big part of Safe Harbor.

“I worked as a victim advocate at the Delta County Prosecutor’s office for 20 years. During that time, I developed a good working relationship with the advocates at Tri-County Safe Harbor,” said volunteer Karen Alvord. “As I started thinking about retiring, I felt I needed to continue to work with Tri-County to help ensure their valuable assistance to people affected by domestic violence and sexual assault continues.”

Alvord currently volunteers as a board member and provides clients time with Charles, a therapy dog.

“Charles was a canine advocate at the prosecutor’s office with me, he now does therapy dog work through Alliance Therapy Dog and crisis response work through HOPE AACR,” Alvord said.

Volunteers have to be 18 years old or older, and pass a background check. Some volunteering options are to become a board member, answer the crisis line, be a first responder, help maintain the shelter, interact with residents and children, and provide child care.

“A lot of our volunteers come and go, but we do have some steadfast volunteers who we can rely on,” Viau said.

They are always in need of donated household items. To view a current listing of household items, go to their Facebook page or call the shelter. They have a new list every month. Some of the items listed on the October list include dish and laundry detergent, gift cards from Elmer’s County Market, Meijer, and Walmart, twin fitted/flat sheets, new pillows, toilet paper, paper towels, hair conditioner, paper plates, new large/extra-large zip hoodies/pants, and garbage bags.

There are many places to donate during October, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). Safe Harbor has a display at the Delta Plaza Mall called The Clothesline Project. Nyman Jewelers in downtown Escanaba is collecting donations for the shelter through the month. A donation box is located at the Family Dollar In Powers, Mich., and Jo-to-Go and Express Coffee in Escanaba are offering DVAM stickers. Through Elmer’s County Market’s Community Care Program 500 points can be transferred from a rewards card to the shelter.

“We appreciate shelter donations, food and gift cards,” said Viau. “A list of household goods is on our Facebook page, but if you don’t have the internet call our office.”

Services victims can find at Safe Harbor include temporary housing and food, a 24-hour sexual assault response team, supportive counseling, a women’s support group, emergency transportation, advocacy, and support with court issues. Outreach offices provide temporary food, supportive counseling, court support, and advocacy. All offices provide information, referrals, education, and awareness.

The staff and volunteers work toward educating and involving communities, and to shine a light on the unwelcome and harmful situations others need help in overcoming.

“We are at as many community events as we can be, raising awareness of domestic and sexual abuse,” said Viau. “Our youth advocate will speak at schools. The advocates are willing to speak where there are any opportunities to do so.”

The shelter has three types of advocates — crime victim, youth, and outreach. Outreach advocates are located in Carney, Manistique, and Menominee on a part-time basis.

In Carney, the office is located at 54 North Highway US41, Carney. Phone number is 906-639-3021. Menominee’s office is located at 1101 11th Avenue, Suite B7, Menominee. Phone number is 906-863-1116. Manistique’s outreach office is located at 4176 Oak St., Manistique. Phone number is 906-286-4040.

Tri-County Safe Harbor is located at 905 1st Ave S., Escanaba. They can be reached by phone at 906-789-9207 (business line) and 1-800-682-1649 or 906-789-1166 (crisis line).

“We’re here to serve those that need help, who are a victim of intimate abuse, women and men,” said Viau.

When the time comes to look for shelter during a storm, the people at Tri-County Safe Harbor are ready to assist. Before leaving your home they suggest a safety plan including any children and/or pets be in place. Consider the following actions, open an account to establish financial independence, pick a place to stay, leave extra money, clothes, keys, and copies of important papers with someone you trust, and keep shelter phone numbers close. In addition to safety planning preparation, there are ideas on how to move ahead on their website, https://www.safe3c.com. They advise to delete any browser and call history.

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