Missouri Shores Domestic Violence Center
2006 to 2007
What a year of accomplishments 2006-2007 has proved to be. In this short synopsis of how the year went I will attempt to explain, only to come up way short, of what the real life story is at Missouri Shores.
October 2006
Annual Meeting: New Officers; President Roberta Lovald, Vice-President Sherri Rhodes, Treasurer Jennifer Gray and Secretary Eileen Aberle. Board members; Patrick VanLith, David DeJabet, Rev. Diane Jackson, Bobi Kallenberger, Angel Leiferman, Genny McMath, Emily Noem, Jamie Schnabel, and Jacquelyn Storm.
The building Mortgage was paid off this month, five years ahead of schedule. What a great accomplishment for Missouri Shores. The outside of the building was painted, and the soffit and fascia was replaced. This month Missouri Shores also opened up a Money Market account with Reinke Gray Wealth Management in the amount of $10,000.00. This was also the month in which staff members met with Assistant Chief Blemaster (Now Chief) regarding collaboration efforts between the two entities. We just started our “Honey Do, We Do” Workshops. This is a brand new outreach program to Missouri Shores supported by United Way. Each month workshops were held to provide information to all women seeking out self sufficiency through learning the more male dominate roles of life. Each month we were greeted by no less than 20 women in attendance. A brochure is enclosed for further explanation and exact workshop details. This month being National Domestic Violence Awareness month the Foundation chooses to do the 1st ever draw by purchasing “We Care Bears” to be distributed to all law enforcement in our 6 county service area. A $1000 donation was given to Missouri Shores from the Foundation to raise awareness in the community. Also advertisement was purchased to have Missouri Shores information displayed on a bench located at the Pierre Mall. 10 Women and 6 Children were sheltered this month for 187 shelter days. 983 services were provided not only to those sheltered but also those living in the communities we serve. 276 hits were calculated from the Missouri Shores Website. Six presentations were provided this month.
November 2006
On November 1st I have been employed by Missouri Shores for 6 years. Also on this day a young lady whom we have helped, came to Missouri Shores to thank us for all our assistance to her. Later we will read about her becoming an active member for the foundation board. Facilitation of the group at the South Dakota Women’s Prison began again this month. The “We Do” workshop was another hit and 20 women attended. Staff met with Bob Clark Insurance representative (Mr. Clark) to discuss possibility of switching health insurance. Later to be approved and voted on the board to switch to Dakota Care, which is Bob Clark Insurance. November weekend advocates Kathy Schreiber and Crystal Petrol have been employed for 2 years. 12 Women and 11 Children were sheltered this month for a total of 140 shelter days. 309 hits were recorded by our website. 10 presentations were provided this month.
December 2006
United Way blackout Period is over so it was off to the pavement for me and Jennifer Gray to find auction items for Missouri Shores Annual fundraiser. The Staff Christmas party was held on the 9th of December. Missouri Shores board approved purchase of Prime Rib and staff members will cook as well as bring other dishes, a nice merit pay was gifted to employees this month as well!! South Dakota Community Foundation presented a $5,000.00 grant help raise awareness for the Missouri Shores Foundation. The survey was sent out to all board members and staff regarding the upcoming strategic planning meeting for Missouri Shores. It was a slow month in the shelter with only 33 shelter days recorded as 2 women sought out the “House of Hope”. Staff was busy with Christmas families as 33 people were given presents from Missouri Shores. Each family received a heaping box(s) of gifts donated by individuals and some organizations around town. 282 times our website was viewed this month. 9 presentations given this month.
January 2007
Hollywood Tonight Month!!! January 13, was the date of the long awaited event. As usual HWT (Hollywood Tonight) was another successful year. “Grovin at the Movies” was attended by 500 community supporters. The event brought in some great talent as usual, wonderful auction items and $21,121.30 in revenue for Missouri Shores!! Board meeting and Strategic Planning session was held on the 27th of this month. 2 women and 1 child received services while staying in the house of hope for 55 shelter days. 720 services were provided to clients and the website had 419 hits. 6 presentations provided this month.
February 2007
This month staff visited with board members regarding a possibility to expand our services to transitional housing for victims of domestic violence/sexual assault. It was decided that this was a very possible vision; however we want to start out small and get the statistics to support our idea. Staff will choose one of the bigger rooms in the shelter to include a sitting area, and small fridge and dining area in their room. Some of the attendees for the “We Do” workshops recorded PSA’s for Missouri Shores regarding domestic abuse. One woman and three children were provided shelter for 88 shelter days. A record 945 hits is what the website recorded. 3 presentations were given this month.
March 2007
This month the 2nd annual Willow Creek Sporting Clays and Pheasant Hunt were held on the 10th. Pat VanLith spearheaded this event and it brought in $900.00 for Missouri Shores. Staff members provide lunch and Willow Creek split the revenue 50/50 with Missouri Shores. The Privacy Awning and fence was placed in the back yard of the shelter to establish a nice quite retreat for the women to sit when the children are outside. The state Sexual Assault Prevention Team met for the 1st time this month. This is a 3 year commitment team that was selected by the grantees which is the State of South Dakota Department of Health and the South Dakota Network. I was chosen to help with this mission and we are moving along and are right on target according to the grant. We are currently in the data collection stage, soon to move on with the prevention part of the grant. ESG and United Way grants submitted. 9 women and 14 children utilized the shelter this month for a total of 192 shelter days. 786 services were provided by staff and the website didn’t get documented this month. 8 presentations provided this month.
April 2007
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Missouri Shores held a Healthy Families Poster Contest and all grade schools in the Pierre/Ft. Pierre area were invited to participate. 3 schools took us up on the contest. Prizes were awarded to 9 children. 6 $20.00 gift cards from Wal-Mart were purchased as well as 3 bikes. The posters were hung up around the Pierre/Fort Pierre area. Pastor Diane helped brainstorm this idea, and it went over very well!! Staff also held a “Shoe Display” at the Hughes County Courthouse, in recognition violent crimes needing the justice system. 181 pair of men’s, women and children shoes was displayed with local statistics. The event made front page of the Capitol Journal and was well publicized by local media. Kids Safe Saturday was held at the Discovery center and over 500 children visited Missouri Shores booth. Susan LaFave resigned this month after 5 years. FVPS, STOP, DASA and ESG grants were approved. 14 women and 17 children stayed at the “House of Hope” this month for a total of 398 shelter days. 1405 services were provided during this busy month. The website had another average month regarding hits. 8 presentations provided this month.
May 2007
Presentation to United Way board was given by me and Roberta Lovald. This month focus was on cleaning and organizing the shelter with the down time. Molly Wulf was our summertime advocate. Zonta presented a check to Missouri Shores at City Hall on the 24th of this month. 4 Women and 7 children stayed in the shelter this month for a total of 81 days. 674 services were provided by 3 staff members as we were one staff member short and Sylvia Moret had back surgery this month. 425 Hits on the Website. 4 presentations given this month.
June 2007
Display information “Cut it Out” was delivered to area salons by LeeAnna Fitzpatrick (volunteer). Beach balls with Missouri Shores 1-800-696-7187 on each of them were given to all area pools. Booth was manned at Wal-Mart for ‘Speaking of Women’s Health’ fair. 7 Women and 4 Children and 1 man used the shelter/ motel services this month, for a total of 53 shelter days. The website had 417 hits this month.
July 2007
This month at the quarterly board meeting members voted to go back to monthly meetings. It was proposed and accepted that no less than 10 meetings per year, giving leeway to months such as December and July that may be busier for people resulting in less attendance. A float was decorated for the 4th of July parade in Fort Pierre. T-shirts that said “World Peace Begins At Home” were given out as well as candy. Pastor Diane and her husband helped Emily and Kami decorate the float. Land and Marine Development from Ft. Pierre provided the place and flatbed for Missouri Shores. Tru-Cut builders pulled the float in the parade. Ed Jacobson presented to the board his proposal to become the Executive Director of the Foundation for Missouri Shores at $200.00 per month. Lori Erion was promoted to Crisis Services Supervisor this month. Cable was hooked up in the shelter with the minimal amount of channels available, which are still 14 channels. This was the 1st month the “We DO” workshop was cancelled. The presenter was ill and wasn’t able to find anyone at the last minute. The attorneys in the Hughes and Stanley County district toured the shelter. Budget request was presented to the Ft. Pierre City Commission. This month the State of South Dakota Victims Services performed a site visit “audit” at Missouri Shores. The report faired very well and copies of the report were provided to 2 board members and one is on file at Missouri Shores. 8 Women and 3 children sought out the shelter for 131 shelter days. 681 services were provided and 548 hits to the website.
August 2007
Discussion was held and acceptance was granted to hire Ed Jacobson as the new Executive Director of the Foundation. Peg Hensen was hired as Overnight Weekday Advocate, and Tiffany Traversie was hired as rural advocate. Discussion was held on the possibility of a Red Hatters fundraiser for Missouri Shores sometime in the spring. New members for the board have been discussed as 5 positions need/will need to be filled. Patrick VanLith, Roberta Lovald and Jamie Schnabel agreed to determine and invite new board members. Hollywood Tonight Sponsor letters were sent out this month. Sylvia Moret had her 2 year anniversary on the 10th and Lori Erion 1 year anniversary on the 28th. Transitional housing room decorated and organized this month. 5 women and 6 children were provided safe shelter for 129 days. 1266 services were provided for clients. 340 website hits were recorded this month. 4 presentations provided this month.
September 2007
Plan are being established and made this month for Domestic Violence Awareness month which is next month. School letters were sent out to invite persons to seek out or public awareness presentations tailored to their specific organizations needs. Letters were drafted for Domestic Violence Awareness month to be mailed to businesses regarding domestic violence in the workplace. This month at the board meeting one of the topics of discussion was the crisis phone calls. It was noted by staff that crisis calls are more challenging to handle and we are concerned with the volunteers missing a few important calls that persons sought out Missouri Shores assistance. The total crisis calls for Oct- September is 248 calls. ESG (Emergency Shelter Grant) SD housing walk through at Missouri Shores on the 20th of this month. September 10th was Tiffany Traversie 1st day as Rural Advocate. 10 Women and 7 children at 202 shelter days stayed in our “House of Hope”. 1116 services were provided this month, and 497 hits were recorded to the website.
A big thank you to: the Board members who are leaving Missouri Shores. Everyone is appreciative of all that you have done. I hope that you will keep Missouri Shores in your thoughts.
Also to all the volunteers of Missouri Shores, because you choose to give a little many people find a lot!!!!
Respectfully submitted;
Kami Kessler
Executive Director