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.dVERS OF HOPE <br /> <br />To Build a Community Free of Domestic Violence <br /> Through Advocacy and Education <br /> <br />August 24, 2001 <br /> <br />Dear Mayor and City Council Members, <br /> <br />Rivers of Hope is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization that provides advocacy, education, and <br />support services to victims of domestic violence and their families within Sherburne and Wright <br />Counties. Last year, we were able to provide direct services to 1,487 victims of domestic <br />violence. <br /> <br />Rivers of Hope provides crisis intervention via a toll-free 24-hour phone line or in person; legal <br />advocacy; assistance in locating and securing safe housing/shelter; weekly educational support <br />groups; transportation; and information and referrals to resources. From July 2000 - <br />December 2000, our staff assisted 168 victims of domestic violence with safety planning; <br />assisted 8 victims with safe home arrangements; provided crisis intervention, referrals, support <br />and/or resources to 877 individuals via our 24-hour toll-free crisis line; and provided in person <br />services to 494 victims of abuse. In addition, the children under 18 who were affected by <br />and/or witness to domestic violence within their own homes totaled 1,154. <br /> <br />Rivers of Hope's Youth Advocates provide violence prevention, intervention, and support <br />services to at-risk young women in grades 7-12 of the Big Lake, Buffalo, Elk River and Maple <br />Lake School Districts. Advocates also offer individual advocacy, crisis intervention and support <br />services for all community youth on an on-call or referral basis. <br /> <br />For 12 years, we have worked diligently to establish cooperative relationships with local groups, <br />agencies and organizations in an effort to collaborate and respond to victims of domestic violence. <br />We have been in the front-line working with hospitals and clinics, law enforcement agencies, <br />schools, and counseling centers to develop and implement procedures, policies and protocols to <br />ensure that victims of domestic violence are provided with support, safety options, resources and <br />information. As we continue to come together and build relationships in our communities, more <br />and more victims of abuse are being identified and as a result referrals to Rivers of Hope for <br />services continues to increase. When comparing statistics for the period of January through <br />December over the past 7 years (1994-2000) - the overall number of victims provided services by <br />Rivers of Hope has increased from 556 to 1,487. <br /> <br />Our service area encompasses over 1100 square miles and has a total population of 154,408. <br />According to the State Demographic Center, Sherburne and Wright Counties are two of the <br />fastest growing counties in the state, ranking Sherburne as #2 and Wright County as #7. As a <br />result of this rapid growth, our program staff and the community both feel the strain on our <br />resources and we are finding that we are unable to provide services to the extent that our <br />community demands. <br /> <br /> P.O. Box 142 · Elk River, Minnesota 55330 <br /> <br /> Sherburne County 612-441-0792 · Wright County 612-682-6424 · Outside the Metro 1-800-439-2642 <br /> e-mail: riversofhope@onrampinc.net <br /> <br /> <br />