North Shore Horizons Inc

The following is a letter from a woman who used North Shore Horizons services:

"I cannot begin to explain what the world looks like after you have suffered extreme violence. The fear and sadness is only part.  The disorientation and confusion are crippling.  The person whom you have loved and trusted has hurt you, your family is falling apart, you can’t even trust the ground you are walking on.  The police take reports, with luck they are understanding.  Undress, count the bruises, redress, have we got all the pictures, tells us exactly what happened…it goes on and on.  After you file the report, you still are not protected from the person who hurt you.  I was given a complex stack of paperwork, that in the best of times you could not make heads or tails of, and then there is someone to help. Someone who understands the ins and outs.  Someone to be on your side.  A North Shore Horizons advocate that not only firstly understands you emotionally, but all of the processes as well.  The message that you get from the very beginning, through action and word, is that they are here for you.  That you have value.  Value!   I would like to extend my sincerest thank you to every person who makes North Shore Horizons happen.  You have all brought value to my life far beyond anything I can express.  Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."

Since 1980, North Shore Horizons, a 501 c. 3 nonprofit, has been privileged to serve adults and children who have been tragically impacted by domestic and sexual violence, serving 306 adults and children over 2,062 square miles in rural Northeastern Minnesota in 2012.  Through the years we have evaluated and addressed community needs such as adding a 24-hour crisis line, initiating child abuse prevention programming within the schools in the 1990’s, adding two transitional housing units in 2000, and expanding to open the New Beginnings Supportive Housing Program in 2008 addressing the huge housing need for victims fleeing from violence.

Services include:

•  24 hours a day, seven days a week Crisis Counseling/Intervention includes a local hotline manned by qualified volunteers and staff to provide immediate emergency assistance and safety.

•   Personal Advocacy empowers clients to move safely through the crisis of abuse with staff assisting clients to set their own culturally relevant goals which may include emotional support, information and referral to area resources for economic stability, and staff advocating on clients behalf at interviews and meetings.

•  Criminal Intervention/Legal Advocacy assists crime victims in knowing their legal rights, help in obtaining law enforcement intervention and filing Orders for Protection and Harassment Orders provide assistance filling out Orders for Protection, Harassment Orders and Reparations Claims (93 in 2012), help prepare clients for court and provide support during court proceedings. Establish/improve policies and procedures through the Lake County Coordinated Community Response Team.

•  Financial Assistance Staff assists clients whose goals are to be more financially independent obtain services or enroll in our asset building program.  In addition North Shore Horizons has emergency on-site supplies.

• Educational Support Groups for survivors to heal emotionally in Silver Bay and Two Harbors Minnesota.  Participant evaluations determine the focus of the groups.

• Housing Nine units of transitional and long-term housing for survivors fleeing domestic or sexual violence.  Program includes on-site supportive services to assist clients in obtaining their self-defined goals. Temporary emergency housing is available. We were able to assist 41 adults and children, from 20 households, with emergency and permanent housing in 2012.

• Prevention and Education  Safe and Strong child sexual abuse prevention programming for students, training for school personnel on sexual abuse, and professional and community education and trainings reaching 1,018 adults and students in 2012.

• Outreach Center With a comfortable space, and a library of over 300 books it is a great place to sit and relax. You can come have some coffee, read, sit awhile, talk with an advocate, use the computer, or do your homework.