The Brookings Domestic Abuse Shelter is a community-based program addressing a community problem.
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Our Mission:
Our program supports and involves battered persons of all racial, social, religious and economic groups, ages, and lifestyles. We oppose the use of violence as a means of control over others and support equality in relationships and the concept of helping individuals assume power over their own lives. We strive toward becoming an independent, community-based group, which makes major policy and program decisions. It is the philosophy of the Brookings Domestic Abuse Shelter (hereinafter "Shelter") and those associated with it to be open to understanding the nature of domestic violence and sexual assault in our society, to advocate for the use of tolerance, support, and reason in the face of conflict and against the use of violence, to empower those who have been victimized by violence and to promote a less violent society by modeling, educating, and promoting alternatives to violence. |
The Brookings Domestic Abuse Shelter
About Brookings Domestic Abuse Shelter In 1974, local Brookings residents founded the first program of its kind in the state of South Dakota; the Brookings Women’s Center. The Women’s Center was a volunteer-based organization whose goal was to actively support the development of stable, productive, and satisfying lifestyles for women, men and children.
Locally, the center provided education on domestic abuse, support groups, and information and referrals to other helping agencies. On a broader scale, they assisted the state in developing legislation, protection orders and training on domestic violence. The Women’s Center was eventually able to rent two rooms at the New Life Center, most recently known as Teen Challenge. The rooms provided emergency shelter. Advocacy and counseling were also provided, but as awareness increased, so did the need for enhanced services and the space to provide them in.
In 1985, community advocates began planning for an actual shelter, which would provide a more ideal atmosphere and additional services for victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. In 1987, after much work and planning, including the development of a volunteer Board of Directors, the Brookings Domestic Abuse Shelter opened
Locally, the center provided education on domestic abuse, support groups, and information and referrals to other helping agencies. On a broader scale, they assisted the state in developing legislation, protection orders and training on domestic violence. The Women’s Center was eventually able to rent two rooms at the New Life Center, most recently known as Teen Challenge. The rooms provided emergency shelter. Advocacy and counseling were also provided, but as awareness increased, so did the need for enhanced services and the space to provide them in.
In 1985, community advocates began planning for an actual shelter, which would provide a more ideal atmosphere and additional services for victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. In 1987, after much work and planning, including the development of a volunteer Board of Directors, the Brookings Domestic Abuse Shelter opened
P.O. Box 36
Brookings, SD 57006 |
MAIN: (605) 692-7233
FAX: (605)692-2104 |
domestic@brookings.
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