Kimberly Hardin, advocate, sorts through some of the donations dropped off at the Domestic Violence Crisis Center in Minot.

Founded in 1977 by a small group of volunteers, the Domestic Violence Crisis Center became the first organization in north central North Dakota dedicated to helping victims of interpersonal violence.

As the organization grew, the agency expanded its services and added sexual assault services, children’s programming and criminal justice advocacy in the early 2000s.

“I think one thing that kind of sets our services apart from other places is we work with folks sometimes from very early on in their incidents. And then they may come to shelter. They may get therapy services, come to a support group, and we get to see folks years later, so we kind of get to see their whole healing process,” said DVCC Executive Director Jill McDonald. “The resilience that’s there – it’s just so often you don’t get to see that. Our first responders, they show up in that critical incident and then they don’t see a whole lot beyond that.”

The organization continues to grow and opened its New Beginnings campus in 2023.

“Our space is kind of more dorm style, so there’s two rooms that share a bathroom, and then we have fully accessible rooms on the main floor and another eight rooms upstairs. We have a wonderful kitchen and pantry. Everybody can cook whatever they want, and we just stock the food that’s there, and then there’s a quiet room. There’s a playroom. There’s a lot of different little kinds of spaces where people can kind of find their own space to have family time,”McDonald said.

Today the nonprofit serves as the only provider in the state with a campus model to offer comprehensive victim services in one location. However, having this location does not limit the center from serving the entire community. Volunteers and workers work hard to make sure all needs are met for those individuals needing help.

McDonald explained the process of responding to an emergency.

“If there’s an incident that they respond to at the hospital, whether it be sexual assault or domestic violence, they will call for an advocate that can go out there. Sometimes it’s just to bring some supplies and kind of tell them about our services. And when you’re ready, we’re here for you. And sometimes it’s to come directly out to shelter, depending on what the trends are. And so we have a team of six advocates that can respond to those calls,” she said.

Because April is Sexual Assault Awareness month, the organization is looking to host different fundraising events, with proceeds going back to the organization so they can continue to provide for the individuals within their care.

“We have great plans for awareness,” McDonald said.

An awareness walk was held April 9 at the YMCA.

“Throughout the month of April, we have partnered with Prairie Sky Breads, and they have come up with two specialty drinks with the matching awareness color. There’s a lemonade and a red bull charger, and they will be available all month at both of their locations,” said Carisa Ashley, DVCC’s Fundraising and Event coordinator. “$2.50 of every single one of those drinks will be given to the DVCC.”

Crises like those DVCC handles every day are never planned for.

“It’s not something anybody ever prepares for. It’s not something we know how to do. It’s unexpected, and it’s different for every person,” McDonald said.

Still, the DVCC strives to offer the best support for every situation.

“We have an amazing team. So, I feel like that goes a long way, and the mission is so very important and so crucial. When you have a mission driven job, it makes life like that much easier to come to work,” McDonald said.