 History and Description
The Abused Adult Resource Center (AARC) headquartered in Bismarck, North
Dakota, has been helping victims of domestic violence and sexual assault
for more than 20 years. It serves families and individuals in distress
throughout south central North Dakota. AARC programs, staff and volunteers
have been widely recognized for their work in building a healthier, safer
community.
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.
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.
Purpose and Mission
The Abused Adult Resource Center was founded to provide emergency support,
crisis intervention, temporary shelter, food, counseling, and advocacy
to victims of domestic violence and domestic assault. We work with our
clients and their children to help 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 Abused Adult
Resource Center 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."
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.
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.
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.
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