Nearly two years into Someplace Safe’s newest venture, we are excited to announce that the Someplace Safe Thrift Store is relocating! Our new store location will be at 801 Co Rd 44 NW – Suite 108, in Alexandria, and will allow us to better meet many of the requests and suggestions we have heard from our customers and communities.
Parking at the new location will be more readily available and convenient for shoppers and donors. A one-level space will make the entire store much more accessible to all who come to shop. The Thrift Store is also happy to announce that donations will be accepted daily during set hours at the new location, helping to make the donation drop-off process more convenient for the community.
Store hours will remain virtually the same, 10-5pm during the week and 10-3pm on Saturdays, extending hours to 6pm on Thursdays to better accommodate those who aren’t always able to shop or drop of donations during the regular hours
You can look for the new location to be opening in late May, but in the meantime, be sure to stop by the Thrift Store’s current location at 619 Broadway Street in Alexandria to take advantage of some unbelievable deals before the move.
If you are interested in volunteering at the Thrift Store or have other questions about the move or the store in general, please contact Kathy at kathy.b@someplacesafe.info or call the store at 320-763-4677.
Someplace Safe Thrift Store Mission
We exist as a viable cornerstone to raise funds and awareness for Someplace Safe services, engage communities, recycle usable goods, and provide employment and volunteer opportunities.
The Someplace Safe Board of Directors is pleased to announce that they have selected Sheila Korby as the new Executive Director of Someplace Safe.
Korby has been with Someplace Safe for over 8 years, and was previously serving at the Director of Program services, as well as Interim Executive Director since October. She brings a wide array of expertise and experience in the field of crime victim services, as well as a firm understanding of and belief in the mission of the organization. Sheila currently serves on the Board of Directors of Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota, the Commission on Judicial Selection as the Seventh Judicial District Non-Attorney member to the Commission, and was recently honored by the Battered Women’s Legal Advocacy Project with the 2011 Journey of Hope Award for advocacy. She graduated from Minnesota State University at Moorhead with a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice and a Minor in Political Science.
Someplace Safe Board President, Allen Wittrock congratulated Sheila on her appointment and “wished her every success as she moves into officially overseeing Someplace Safe’s programming and work throughout the region”.
Korby’s appointment as Executive Director of Someplace Safe takes effect immediately. You may contact her directly at 218-739-3486 #6 or sheila.k@someplacesafe.info.
Congratulations to Sheila and all the best on your new endeavors!
February is known as the month to show our love to friends, family and partners. As we are showing our love for those around us lets not forget an unhealthy epidemic facing our youth today. February was designated as Teen Dating Violence Prevention month by Congress 3 years ago. Violence in relationships knows no age, race or gender. Physical aggression occurs in 1-in-3 teen dating relationships, according to the American Psychological Association.
Teen dating violence is often unnoticed by parents, and even unrecognized as abnormal by those teens experiencing it. As President Obama stated in his Presidential Proclamation of Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month in 2011, it takes place in both “typical” and atypical mediums:
“Our efforts to take on teen dating violence must address the social realities of adolescent life today. Technology such as cell phones, email, and social networking websites play a major role in many teenagers’ lives, but these tools are something tragically used for control, stalking, and victimization. Emotional abuse using digital technology including frequent text messages, threatening emails, and the circulation of embarrassing messages or photographs without consent, can be devastating to young teens.”
Click here to read the full 2012 Presidential Proclamation.
Because teens are well connected through today’s technology, cell phones and the Internet have become tools of dating violence through which emotional abuse and sexual violence can occur. More than 80% of adolescents own at least one form of new media technology (e.g., computer, cell phone) and they are using this technology with increasing frequency to text, IM, e-mail, blog, and access social networking websites.
Using technology to threaten, harass, or bully a peer is called electronic aggression, and a significant majority of parents are completely unaware that technology such as this poses a risk for teens.
Teen dating violence affects teens and their families across the country, and it will take each and every one of us to stop it. We all must advocate for the young people in our lives, provide a safe space to report instances of teen dating violence, and set examples of healthy and appropriate displays of love, respect and affection. As President Obama stated:
“The time to break the cycle of teen dating violence is now, before another generation falls victim to this tragedy…During National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month — and throughout the year — let each of us resolve to do our part to break the silence and create a culture of healthy relationships for all young people.”
Teen dating violence is not an argument every once in a while, or a bad mood after a bad day. Dating violence is a pattern of violent behavior that someone uses against their partner to cause pain. For more information, visit www.loveisrespect.org.
If you are a victim of Teen Dating Violence or know someone who is please contact your local Law Enforcement agency or a Someplace Safe Outreach office near you.
For the past nine years one of Someplace Safe’s biggest fundraisers has been our Tea and Silent Auction, held annually in Fergus Falls. Throughout the years we have been fortunate to have support from many local individuals and businesses, either by helping to sponsor the event, hosting and decorating a table, donating to the silent auction, or by attending this fun and lively event.
The 9th Annual Tea will be held on Saturday, February 25th, 2012, at Minnesota State Community and Technical College at 1414 College Way in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. In addition to a wonderful brunch and silent auction, The Fergus Falls School of Dance will be performing along with The Center Diva’s, a singing group from Fergus Falls. This is sure to be another fabulous event and great way to spend the day with friends.
Year after year, table hostesses show their creativity through the tables that they design. From table themes as varied as ‘Through the Looking Glass’ to ‘Owls and Their Prey’, each and every table is a work of art. Besides the wonderful entertainment and delightful tables there is also time to visit with friends new and old while helping to raise money for Someplace Safe programming and services.
If you are interested in either attending or assisting with this year’s Tea, please contact the Fergus Falls Outreach Office at 218-739-2853.
January is National Stalking Awareness Month, a time to focus on a crime that affects 3.4 million victims a year.1 This year’s awareness theme—“Stalking: Know It. Name It. Stop It.”—challenges the nation to fight this dangerous crime by learning more about it.
Stalking is a crime in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, yet many victims and criminal justice professionals underestimate its seriousness and impact. In one of five cases, stalkers use weapons to harm or threaten victims,2 and stalking is one of the significant risk factors for femicide (homicide of women) in abusive relationships.3 Victims suffer anxiety, social dysfunction, and severe depression at much higher rates than the general population, and many lose time from work or have to move as a result of their victimization.4
Stalking is difficult to recognize, investigate, and prosecute. Unlike other crimes, stalking is not a single, easily identifiable crime but a series of acts, a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause that person to feel frightened, threatened, oppressed, persecuted, or intimidated. Stalking may take many forms, such as assaults, threats, vandalism, burglary, or animal abuse, as well as unwanted cards, calls, gifts, or visits. One in four victims reports that the stalker uses technology, such as computers, global positioning system devices, or hidden cameras, to track the victim’s daily activities.5 Stalkers fit no standard psychological profile, and many stalkers follow their victims from one jurisdiction to another, making it difficult for authorities to investigate and prosecute their crimes.
Communities that understand stalking, however, can support victims and combat the crime. “If more people learn to recognize stalking,” says Erin, a Someplace Safe advocate, “we have a better chance to protect victims and prevent tragedies.”
If you are a victim of stalking please contact your local Law Enforcement agency or Someplace Safe at 800-974-3359. For additional resources on National Stalking Awareness Month, please visit http://stalkingawarenessmonth.org or www.ovw.usdoj.gov.
1 Baum et al., Stalking Victimization in the United States, Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2009, http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/svus.pdf (accessed September 29, 2009).
2 Ibid.
3 Jacquelyn C. Campbell et al., “Risk Factors for Femicide in Abusive Relationships: Results from a Multi-site Case Control Study,”American Journal of Public Health 93 (2003): 7.
4 Ibid.
5 Baum, Stalking Victimization in the United States.
Greetings and Happy Holidays Friends of Someplace Safe!
Someplace Safe is offering a fun and thoughtful way to give to others this Season. The Holiday Season is the perfect time to show those around you how much you care. For those who are hard to buy for, consider making a donation to Someplace Safe in their honor, or giving a gift in memory of someone special, for the Holidays. In return, a Holiday card will be sent to your loved one, mentioning your thoughtful gift.
You can give your gift online here. When giving your gift in Honor or Memory, please provide a name and address of the person who you would like to receive the card.
We would like to Thank You all for your continued support throughout the past year, and encourage you to get even more involved with Someplace Safe as we move into 2012 and a New Year ! Learn more about Giving to Someplace Safe or Volunteering with us today!
P.S. Keep up with all the ways you are helping to support Someplace Safe by following us on Facebook!
Someplace Safe is one of many nonprofit organizations throughout the state that will once again ask Minnesotans to display their record-breaking generosity by donating to their favorite charities online at www.GiveMN.org during the third annual “Give to the Max Day” on November 16.
Last year on Give to the Max Day, supporters gave nearly $3000 to help support Someplace Safe services. This year, with your help, we’re hoping to pass that mark and raise even more money to help create safer, healthier communities TOGETHER!
Money donated to Someplace Safe will directly benefit our mission of ending violence and oppression through advocacy, education and services. Here is the link to start giving: http://givemn.razoo.com/story/Someplacesafe
“We set single-day records for philanthropic giving in both 2009 and 2010 and want to keep that streak going in 2011,” said Dana Nelson, executive director of GiveMN.org, which debuted in fall 2009 as the first-of-its-kind giving website and sponsors Give to the Max Day. “This is a day for us to come together as Minnesotans and show our support for the nonprofit organizations that work tirelessly to improve our communities.”
During last year’s Give to the Max Day, more than 42,000 donors logged on to GiveMN.org. The result: more than $10 million raised for more than 3,400 Minnesota nonprofits, whose missions range from feeding the hungry, to protecting the environment, to promoting the arts. GiveMN.org hopes to again raise millions for thousands of nonprofits, showcasing Minnesota’s unparalleled generosity to the world.
2011 Give to the Max Day Incentives
In 2011, GiveMN will offer several incentives to encourage nonprofit and donor participation in Give to the Max Day, including:
–$15,000 and $5,000 prize grants will be awarded to the top two Minnesota colleges or universities which receive the most dollars on Give to the Max Day.
–Throughout the 24 hours of the event, an individual donor will be randomly chosen every hour to win a “golden ticket” and have an additional $1,000 given to the charity that received the donor’s original donation.
–Donors will have the opportunity to double their dollars for hundreds of featured nonprofits that have secured matching funds for Give to the Max Day.
–In addition to these incentives, plans are underway for a 24-hour event at the Mall of America.
In honor of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Someplace Safe’s Otter Tail County programs held their 24th Annual Walk & Vigil on October 6, 2011, in Fergus Falls.
Following is a powerful quote shared by Charles Kitzman, Probation Director for Otter Tail County, at the event. We would like to share it here with you.
“We must teach our young women to distinguish between:
A man who flatters her, and a man who compliments her.
A man who spends money on her, and a man who invests in her.
A man who views her as property, and a man who views her properly.
A man who lusts after her, and a man who loves her.
A man who believes he is God’s gift to women, and a man who remembers a woman was God’s gift to man.
And then, we need to teach our boys to be that kind of man.”
The Someplace Safe Board of Directors has accepted the resignation of Jeanne Jacobs, Executive Director, effective October 16, 2011. The Board is very appreciative of the huge contribution Jeanne has made to Someplace Safe and the accomplishments during her years of service.
Please read Jeanne’s farewell message, which can also be found in our Fall 2011 Newsletter:
“The printing of this newsletter marks the end of my position as Executive Director of Someplace Safe. The time has come for me to move on to new adventures! It is with deep appreciation for this experience that I leave the agency in the capable hands of a dedicated Board of Directors, passionate and knowledgeable staff, and a broader base of community support and donors throughout the region.
Programmatic highlights from the past four years include: a new, safer, and better equipped emergency Shelter; expanded Parenting Time Center locations and services throughout the region; and streamlined agency processes, services, and statistical reporting practices. A strengths-based team building approach has resulted in greater cohesiveness and connection among staff. Electronic bookkeeping and payroll, and donor management software is helping to streamline our work behind the scenes.
A modern, comprehensive website and growing social media presence have improved our ability to both offer services and connect with victims and survivors on a new level.
Enhanced board involvement and engagement through board orientation, annual board retreats, strategic planning, board leadership academies, and board fundraising activities have strengthened the agency as a whole.
The Someplace Safe Thrift Store in Alexandria has provided an opportunity for communities to become more involved in giving through donations of goods and volunteer time. It has also expanded our partnerships to Rural MN CEP, Division of Rehabilitation Services, Experience Works, and Man Power, to mention a few.
Sheila Korby, dedicated, passionate, knowledgeable, and competent staff person will assume the interim duties of Executive Director pending the board search for a permanent director.
I truly appreciate and honor the staff, board members, community members, and donors who supported me, and ultimately Someplace Safe, during the past four years. I leave with the knowledge that we have instilled more deeply than ever the work of Someplace Safe as a vital asset in each of our communities. Thank you for the adventure!”
Nearly two years into Someplace Safe’s newest venture, we are excited to announce that the Someplace Safe Thrift Store is relocating! Our new store location will be at 801 Co Rd 44 NW – Suite 108, in Alexandria, and will allow us to better meet many of the requests and suggestions we have heard from our customers and communities.
