Someplace Safe to expand services

Someplace Safe recently announced the expansion of both its Community Crime Victim’s Advocacy and Parenting Time Center programs.

The organization, which provides domestic violence, sexual assault and general crimes advocacy service in Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse and Wilkin counties, will expand to also serve Wadena County. In addition, Someplace Safe Parenting Time Center services will be available in Wadena County beginning October 1.

As a result of the allocation decisions, Someplace Safe will no longer receive state funding for their emergency shelter in Fergus Falls. This decision was due to availability of other domestic violence shelters in the area and a history of low occupancy at Someplace Safe’s shelter. Up to 98 percent of the shelter’s funding has come from the Minnesota Office of Justice Programs – Crime Victim Services.

Due to the cost of operating the shelter, other available area shelters and lack of ongoing funding sources, Someplace Safe will discontinue its emergency shelter services.

The agency will instead expand their current domestic violence safe housing hotel/motel program across the region. Someplace Safe will continue to offer all current services, including the 24 hour crisis line at 1-800-974-3359.

Someplace Safe Board of Directors Chair Allen Wittrock said, “This decision was a difficult one, but we believe it is the most fiscally responsible and will allow Someplace Safe to continue to do what we do best – provide services to those who need us most.”

The Someplace Safe Shelter will cease operations on September 30. Funding allocations and all new and expanded services will take effect on October 1.

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