The Chippewa Valley Post provides news of area nonprofit organizations in order to increase public awareness of their missions and activities, and to provide information that otherwise might not be made available.
Our “6 of Substance” series is part of this effort. It will present answers from nonprofit organizations, in their own words, to six questions we asked about who they are and what they do. The responses will be edited only for length, grammar and style concerns.
This series will be updated regularly to introduce Chippewa Valley residents to the many nonprofit organizations and people working to serve the needs of our area. If you have a favorite nonprofit organization that you’d like to see featured here, please let us know at cvpostwi@gmail.com.
Bolton Refuge House
Who do you serve?
The Bolton Refuge House serves victims of domestic violence, intimate partner violence, dating violence, stalking and sexual assaults.
How long have you been established in the Chippewa Valley?
We have been established since 1976.
What are the major issues you will be facing over the next 18 months?
A positive issue in the next 18 months will be securing funds, including donations, to complete the addition to the Farwell location. The Farwell Wing project will consist of six transitional units: two each of one and two-bedroom units, and two efficiencies.
The transitional housing project is essential to provide the support services needed by victims and their children who are fleeing violence. Maslow’s basic hierarchy of needs states that physiological needs, such as air, water, clothing, shelter and food are the physical requirements for human survival. If these requirements are not met, the human body cannot function properly and will ultimately fail.
Victims at times have difficultly securing permanent housing. The transitional housing project, while fulfilling the physiological needs of a person, also gives the victim time to save money, pay off debts, work on personal issues and achieve goals while receiving supportive services from Victim Advocates. Funding this project will save money and lives. Research consistently shows that domestic violence and sexual assault services reduce future violence and other related social costs.
Aside from financial support, how can the Chippewa Valley Community
support you?
The Bolton Refuge House relies heavily on volunteers and in-kind donations, and is always looking for individuals who are willing to offer their support through service. BRH is in need of individuals who are willing to share their skills and talents, including plumbers, organizers, electricians, fundraisers, office support clerks, maintenance workers or groups or individuals who are interested in doing yard work, cleaning, painting, cooking, gardening, sorting, etc. Any help an individual or group can provide is greatly appreciated.
BRH is also in need of donations. Items that help defray operating cost include kitchen garbage bags, cleaning products, copy paper or recycled paper. Any one-sided paper that will not be used any longer – for example, outdated agency letterhead – can be donated. Old letterhead paper is great for the work we do and aids us in saving hundreds of dollars on paper needs.
Please call if you have any questions on how you can help or what areas you would like to assist us with. We are always looking for creative ways to better serve individuals.
Who are some of the key people in your organization?
There are so many key people in our organization. Every person from staff to volunteers is critical in the daily operations that provide services to victims 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
What is the most important thing about your organization that people should know, but don’t?
Bolton Refuge House Inc. creates safe space through programs and services for all persons impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault, and advocates for social change.
It is important to know that BRH serves all individuals regardless of sexual orientation, gender, sexual preference, race, economic status or religious beliefs; BRH does not discriminate. BRH provides confidential services to all victims at no cost, working with all persons and respecting each one’s self-determination. BRH works with individuals who may choose to leave or remain in their relationship and BRH offers support services that go beyond emergency shelter. An individual does not have to utilize emergency shelter in order to access all BRH support services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
— by Pat Stein, Executive Director
If you would like more information about the Bolton Refuge House, visit www.boltonrefuge.com.
To download a copy of the “6 of Substance” questionnaire, click here.
To see earlier “6 of Substance” listings, click here for the Archives.