Southern Valley Alliance
Location: Virtual Zoom Meeting
Date: September 9, 2021 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
SVA General Presentation 2021 – FISH Power Point
FISH welcomed 35 attendees to the September meeting. FISH partners and affiliates filled 10 needs in August with a value of $6,723. FISH stories were shared.
Katie Schaumann, Community Engagement Coordinator for Southern Valley Alliance, explained the history of Southern Valley Alliance as well as the work they do. Maxine Kruschke, a domestic violence survivor, started Southern Valley Alliance for Battered Women in 1982. It is the only domestic violence agency serving Scott and Carver Counties. Since that time they have served more than 22,000 men, women and children. In 2020 the organization’s name was changed to Southern Valley Alliance.
There is a wealth of information on the attached PowerPoint, including a Mission and Goals statement and contact information for a 24/7 Crisis Line. SVA provides crisis intervention and court advocacy for victims. They accompany victims to court but do not give legal advice. They do make referrals and help with safety planning. There are support groups in communities and they are working on providing free onsite childcare. They partner with local businesses and Minnesota Day One to provide emergency shelter and services.
Katie’s role is in community education. She speaks to middle and high school students on healthy relationships, is available for speaking at other groups and can provide training.
The definition of Domestic Violence is on the attached PowerPoint, along with a chart showing the Cycle of Abuse and the different types of abuse. In the United States, more than one in three women and one and four men have experienced some form of abuse by an intimate partner. There are national and Minnesota statistics included in the attachment. In Minnesota 2,733 victims are served each day.
Katie spoke on the effect of Covid-19 and domestic violence. Home is not a safe place for victims. There has been an increase in calls to the National Domestic Violence hotline. Increased stress and financial concerns are linked to increases in domestic abuse.
SVA recently received a VAWA grant administered through the Office of Violence Against Women which will be used to create and implement a screening tool that identifies lethality in domestic violence cases.
There is a slide on the PowerPoint that lists how people can help SVA by volunteering, sharing information, being an advocate, inviting them to speak and donating. People are encouraged to participate in the Purple Lights Campaign and the Yard Sign Campaign, which is explained in the PowerPoint. There are also several fundraising events coming up. Katie’s contact information is included for more information.
There were several questions asked. SVA serves double the number of people in Scott County than in Carver County. They are initiating a tele-advisory program with St. Francis Regional Medical Center to explain resources and get connected. Twyla Olson, Client Advocate, said children are referred to mental health supports and school supports. There is a website called www.supervisedparentingtime.org which provides a list of visitation resources.
SVA can always use donations of personal care and cleaning products, journals for victims to use, gas and fast food gift cards. Contact Katie to donate supplies.
Southern Valley Alliance Location: Virtual Zoom Meeting Date: September 9, 2021 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Lisa Floeter, Client Services Director, added that SVA helps with finances, hotel stays, travel out of state to be with family, rent deposits, Orders for Protection, advocacy and referral to energy assistance programs and CARES money, and car repair. Katie continues to grow relationships with schools, counselors and nurses to speak with students on healthy and unhealthy relationships. Also attached is a video on teen domestic violence.
Announcements:
- Next month’s FISH meeting is a partner spotlight on the CAP Agency with Executive Director Jeff Hansen speaking on October 13 at 9:30 a.m.
- 2nd Harvest food distribution on the second Thursday of each month at Friendship Church in Prior Lake – 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. No eligibility requirements, everyone gets two boxes of groceries and only need an ID with your address.
- St. Francis Free Bikes 4 Kidz collection is going forward on October 9, 9-1pm. Collection sites are St. Francis, Capable Kids in Chaska, Savage Clinic and Lakeville Clinic.
- Food distribution in Prior Lake September 14 and 24 in the Playworks parking lot, 2200 Trail of Dreams.
- Zumba outdoors for adults and kids Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 PM and Saturdays at 9 AM at New Creation Church, 1503 Jefferson St. S. in Shakopee