Jordan is a high school student who was seeking out support from school resources due to abuse and lack of support from their family. After building rapport with their Kids Count advocate, Jordan was comfortable disclosing the details of their home life. They were experiencing physical, mental, emotional, and psychological abuse due to their gender identity. Jordan and their support person regularly met with their Kids Count advocate for safety planning, emotional support and additional resources. They have reported feeling safer at home because of supports provided.

Kate was relocating to Red Wing with her husband and son. Most often, this is exciting, but Kate was in a domestic violence relationship. She was just plain scared. In her marriage, she’d been beaten and held at gunpoint. The police arrested and jailed Kate’s husband. She was lost; she had no support and no place to go. Luckily, Kate found HOPE’s Haven of Hope Shelter.

Kate received emotional support from Advocates, help getting an Order for Protection and eventually a divorce. She began seeing a counselor. Kate learned about the power and control dynamics of domestic violence, financial abuse, manipulation, and she received help improving her credit score. "I feel ready now." Kate is now in her own apartment and taking classes to become a paralegal.

Allison has been caught in a cycle of abuse since childhood. She was conditioned to believe all the abusive things that happened to her were her fault - including getting drugged and sexually assaulted. Allison continued to be harassed and intimidated by the perpetrator. She found HOPE Coalition and worked closely with one of our Outreach Advocates. Allison gained the courage to file for a Harassment Restraining Order (HRO). She was terrified to present her case before a Judge and our Advocate stayed with her during the entire court process. The Judge did believe Allison and she was granted the HRO. “I can breathe now. I can’t thank you enough for helping me. Thank you for believing me.”

HOPE In Action

It was the middle of winter in Red Wing. Desiree was pregnant with her second child when she got the eviction notice. Her landlord would not wait until warmer weather or until her child was born. She was about to be out on the street.

HOPE Coalition’s Housing Advocate was able to help Desiree with the rent due so she and her son could stay in the apartment until the baby was born. She also found Desiree another apartment in the Twin Cities that was less expensive and closer to family. Desiree was so excited on moving day she stopped by HOPE’s office to thank everyone. “You are truly a blessing. Thank you.”