The Abused Adult Resource Center (AARC) has earned a 2019 Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest level of recognition offered by GuideStar, the world’s largest source of nonprofit information.

By sharing metrics that highlight progress, the AARC is helping donors move beyond simplistic ways of nonprofit evaluation such as overhead ratios.

“In accordance with our long-held belief in being transparent about our work,” said Michelle Erickson, AARC Executive Director, “we are excited to convey AARC’s results in a user-friendly and highly visual manner. By updating our GuideStar Nonprofit Profile to earn a Platinum Seal, we can now easily share a wealth of up-to-date organizational metrics with our supporters as well as GuideStar’s immense online audience, which includes donors, grantmakers, our peers, and the media.”
To reach the Platinum level, AARC added extensive information to its GuideStar Nonprofit Profile: basic contact and organizational information; in-depth financial information; qualitative information about goals, strategies, and capabilities; and quantitative information about results and progress toward its mission. By taking the time to provide this information, AARC has demonstrated its commitment to transparency and to giving donors and funders meaningful data to evaluate nonprofit performance.

The AARC is a private, nonprofit organization whose goal is to aid victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in a seven-county area focused around south-central North Dakota.

GuideStar, guidestar.org, is the world’s largest source of nonprofit information, connecting people and organizations with data on 2.7 million current and formerly IRS-recognized nonprofits. Updating information on GuideStar allows nonprofits to share a wealth of up-to-date information with the more than 10 million people who visit GuideStar to learn more about nonprofit organizations each year. Updating also allows nonprofits to share information with the more than 200 philanthropic websites and applications that are powered by GuideStar data.

Last week, a sentence was handed down on a convicted rapist in our community. These sentences are unreasonably rare and we’re grateful to see some justice served in this case. At the same time, we as a community need to do better in supporting survivors through an arduous and re-traumatizing time. The media was not helpful in protecting the survivor in the case in question. We share a quote from the victim’s impact statement below. Our role as advocates at the Abused Adult Resource Center compels us to highlight her concerns and ask the media and the public to take heart with these words. We need to do better to support survivors and reduce re-traumatization.

“In addition to the court process, the other aspect that has been traumatizing is how this case was portrayed in the media. I had chosen not to disclose personal details of that night to my closest friends and family, but those details were plastered all over the internet and Facebook for everyone to read. People were able to comment and make assumptions on the type of person I was without knowing anything about me. Throughout the trial, the media was instructed that no identifying features of me were to be released. You pushed that boundary every step of the way. You released audio of my voice, showed my friends and family in the courtroom, and ultimately showed no respect for me as a victim. You made me feel like I was the one on trial having to defend myself.”

Michelle Erickson has been named the new Executive Director at the Abused Adult Resource Center (AARC).

Erickson, who had been serving as Interim Executive Director since December 2018, was appointed by the AARC Board of Directors at its meeting Wednesday, March 27, 2019. She was chosen from among a group of nine applicants. Her appointment is effective Monday, April 1, 2019.

Greg Gunderson, AARC Board Chair, said, “Michelle’s proven leadership skills, coupled with her passion for the AARC and its clients, were a key factor in the board of directors decision. The board and I look forward to assisting Michelle continue the legacy that former director Diane Zainhofsky and others have built at the AARC.”

In taking the position, Erickson said, “I am honored and humbled to be selected as the new Executive Director and to follow in Diane’s footsteps. I am looking forward to new and exciting opportunities for the future of AARC and am grateful for all the support from our staff and our community.”

Erickson, who has been with AARC since 2005, becomes the agency’s fifth director since its inception in 1976. The first director was Bonnie Palecek, who was instrumental in establishing the agency and later became director of the North Dakota Coalition of Abused Women’s Services.

Erickson holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She joined AARC as its transitional housing coordinator and, since 2017, has been supervising AARC’s entire direct service staff. She has been active in the community, including representing AARC for 13 years on the Missouri Valley Coalition of Homeless People, where she served as chair. She also has volunteered for the United Way’s emergency shelter and has spoken to businesses and their employees in support of the United Way campaign.

She replaces Zainhofsky, who has been with AARC since 1980 and Executive Director since 1987. In mid-December, Zainhofsky announced plans to retire June 30 and stepped down as Executive Director with the Board naming Erickson as Interim Executive Director. Zainhofsky remains as an advisor for AARC.

Five local musical acts – all in one night – and all for a great cause!

That’s what is on tap for the Abused Adult Resource Center’s annual “Concert for Courage” Saturday, April 6, at The Stadium Sports Bar, 1247 W. Divide, in Bismarck.

The concert, which begins at 5 p.m., is part of AARC’s activities in April for Sexual Assault Awareness Month nationwide. It is aimed at creating awareness of sexual violence in the community while also featuring good, local music for participants.

Musicians scheduled to perform are Mike Swenson, Gravel & Glass, Kris Kitko, The Mooncats and The Mud Butte Band.

All concert donations will go toward the mission of the AARC.

Concert sponsors are The Stadium and Lodge and McQuade Distributing.

Feb. 7, 2019

In the midst of the tundra-like cold, the Seeds of Hope Thrift and Gift Store is ready for spring.

“Isn’t everybody?” asks a smiling Dorinda Eckroth, assistant store manager of the Seeds of Hope store owned and operated by the Abused Adult Resource Center (AARC).

The touch of spring comes Friday, Feb. 15, with the opening of the Seeds of Hope’s Easter store. Located in the lower level of the store at 520 E. Main, the Easter store has hundreds of Easter baskets, bunnies and décor items to fill your home and season with fun at a reasonable price.

“We have an extreme amount of new egg dye and Easter basket,” said Eckroth. “You will be amazed at the unique items Seeds of Hope has to offer. Whether you are decorating your home or office, hosting an Easter egg hunt, or looking for that perfect gift we have everything you need. New items are always added daily so every day is a new shopping experience.”

If you’re ready to part with some of your Easter items, Seeds of Hope accepts holiday donations all year long. Donations are accepted Monday through Saturdays (except Wednesdays) during normal store hours. Donors are asked to have their items boxed or bagged for easy processing. Tax receipts are available.

Seeds of Hope store hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Proceeds from Seeds of Hope benefit abuse survivors served and sheltered by the AARC.

The AARC is a nonprofit serving survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and families in a seven-county area in south-central North Dakota.