INFORMATION #1 11-04-1996RIVERS oF HOPE
(612) 441-0792
Elk River Office
Sherburne County
(612) 682-6424
Buffalo Office
Wright County
1-800-439-2642
Outside the Metro
dialing area
October 22, 1996
Mayor Hank Duitsman
City of Elk River
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
P. O. Box 490
Dear Mayor Duitsman:
Since 1989 Rivers of Hope has provided advocacy and support services to victims of domestic
violence and their families within Sherburne and Wright Counties, focusing on four (4) primary
service areas:
Advocacy and support services
Youth violence prevention/intervention services
Criminal justice intervention services
Community awareness and education
Over the past seven years, Rivers of Hope has faced many challenges. However, one remains
constant: the steady increases in the number of victims seeking services through our agency. A
comparison of statistics for the period of January through December in 1994 and 1995 indicates the
overall number of clients provided services by Rivers of Hope has increased from 556 to 906, or
62.95%. In Sherburne County alone statistics for these same periods indicate an increase in the
number of victims assisted from 252 to 490, or 94.44%. In the first six months of 1996 Rivers of
Hope staff have worked with 317 clients within Sherbume County, which puts us well on our way
to exceeding 1995 client totals.
As we work toward our mission of"building a community free of domestic violence", we have
learned the importance of establishing community partnerships with local businesses, government,
school districts, criminal justice systems, and community organizations and groups. If we expect
families to thrive and to work toward a safe and healthy community, we must first assist them in
making their own homes a safe and healthy environment.
To Build a Cotnmunity Free of Domestic Violence
2
City of Elk River
re: Community partnerships for fiscal 1996-1997
0~. 22, 1996
Rivers of Hope has a 1996-1997 budget of $263,180.00, of which 93 % goes directly to client
services. Active fundraising efforts by our agency have secured approximately three-fourths of this
budget to date. However, this budget allows us only to keep pace with 1995 levels. It does not allow
for increased hours of advocacy necessary to serve the increasing number of victims seeking services.
Therefore, Rivers of Hope is launching "Home Safe - A Campaign to Build Peace" to raise
$100,000.00 to provide services to victims of domestic violence within our community.
We know that the City of Elk River is also committed to building healthy families and a safe
community, therefore, we are asking you to partner with Rivers of Hope in our "Home Safe"
campaign.
Your contribution will be utilized for general operating support for expenses associated with
direct client services and community education efforts.
A contribution from the City of Elk River will assist our organization in continuing to provide
quality services to community residents who have been victimized by domestic violence. Please join
in our effort to build a community free of domestic violence.
Rivers of Hope will be contacting you shortly to answer any questions you may have. Should
you require further information, please contact Margaret Ostman, Executive Director at 441-0792.
Respectfully,
Julie A. LeVos
President