 Purpose and Mission
The Abused Adult Resource Center (AARC) headquartered in Bismarck, North
Dakota, provides emergency support, crisis intervention, temporary shelter,
food, counseling, and advocacy to victims of domestic violence and domestic
assault. We serve families and individuals in distress throughout south
central North Dakota, helping them find a life free from abuse.
We also work with the community to develop an awareness and sensitivity
to the issues of domestic violence and sexual assault and to establish
programs to break the "cycle of abuse." The mission of the AARC
is to "assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault by
establishing and maintaining a program which will provide temporary shelter,
crisis intervention, prevention, education, support and hope as a vision
to eliminate violence." AARC programs, staff and volunteers have
been widely recognized for their work in building a healthier, safer community.
AARC Programs
Among our initiatives are these programs:
- Crisis Intervention: programs to break
the cycle of violence, including a 24-hour crisis hotline, advocacy,
emotional support and refferals.
- Children's Programs: counseling, support,
education and child abuse prevention.
- Family Safety Center: a safe, neutral
place where parents can visit children in foster care because of abuse
and neglect, and where custodial parents can transfer temporary custody
of their children to noncustodial parents for visitation.
- Pam's House: a "safe house" for women
and children affected by domestic violence, combining temporary shelter
with counseling and assistance for rebuilding lives.
- Criminal Justice Program: prepares certified
domestic violence advocates who assist victims through the legal process
of obtaining a court order for protection.
Target Population
Established in 1976, the Abused Adult Resource Center provides services
to adult, adolescent, and child victims of recent and prior acts of abuse.
Clients served include victims of physical assault, survivors of rape,
incest and sexual abuse and victims of emotional abuse in South Central
North Dakota.
Funding
The Abused Adult Resource Center receives most of its funding from people
and businesses in our community as well as from corporate and foundation
grants, United Way, federal and state grants, local churches, and fraternal
and civic organizations. Click here for information
about donating to the AARC.
Board of Directors, Staff and Volunteers
The AARC is guided by a nine member volunteer board of directors. The
board establishes the policy guidelines which provide the direction for
the day-to-day operation of the Center. The board meets monthly and reviews
all operations, including fiscal, of the Center.
There are more than 200 active volunteers who play a key role in providing
crisis intervention for the 24 hour hot-line. Volunteers also fill critical
roles in helping at the shelter, in the office and in special fundraising
events.
The AARC also provides the opportunity for individuals seeking job training
and employment by serving as a placement site the for the Green Thumb
program, Welfare-to-Work, CWEP, VISTA, and, JTPA youth placements; students
from MSU Criminal Justice Program, UM & Medcenter One Nursing and
Social Work students, and Bismarck Public Schools Mentorship Program for
high school juniors and seniors.
History
The Abused Adult Resource Center has been helping victims of domestic
violence and sexual assault for more than 20 years. The AARC began as
a citizens task force in 1976 under the name Abused Women's Resource Closet.
In March 1977, the Region VII Community Action Program and the Mental
Health Association of North Dakota sponsored a CETA Project to establish
a program of direct services to adult victims of domestic violence. The
Abused Women's Resource Closet became the Abused Adult Resource Center
in January 1984.
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