Baraga County Shelter Home is proud to have provided over 40 years of support to domestic violence survivors in Baraga County and surrounding areas! The long history of this non-profit community organization is a testament to the strength of our community and what can be accomplished with a little bit of hard work and dedication.
The History of the Shelter
In October of 1983, following several serious incidents of domestic abuse in Baraga County, a core group of concerned citizens began meeting to gather information pertaining to domestic violence. The group organized in order to explore the possibility of forming a domestic abuse alliance in the Baraga County area. It became quickly apparent that there was a lack of support available for battered women and their children in the community.
Through the next several months, the group grew to 70 plus concerned citizens who worked together to raise awareness of the problem. They conducted monthly domestic violence programs and set up safe houses. The safe houses where the private residences of many caring individuals who were able to house victims of domestic violence and their children at a moment’s notice.
In 1984, the Baraga County Shelter Home was established and soon after incorporated. A house which could serve as a base of operations was rented. Volunteers began taking shifts to hold the new shelter home open 24 hours a day. Volunteers also formed a fundraising committee to help raise much needed funds to cover the expenses of the shelter home.
From Coupons to Community Change
Illustrating their tireless effort, volunteers spent countless hours clipping coupons from hundreds of newspapers and magazines. Each week, they would then take the coupons to participating grocery stores in Baraga County and tape them to the corresponding food item. As customers would bring the items to the checkout counter, the shopper would be given the option of taking the savings for themselves or adding the coupon to a can designated for Baraga County Shelter Home donations. Each month, the grocer would send the coupons to the coupon clearing house. The clearing house would then issue a check to the grocer, who in turn presented a check to the Baraga County Shelter Home.
By 1985, a steering committee had been formed with the mission of finding a permanent building for the Baraga County Shelter Home. The extreme dedication of these volunteers quickly made the dream of a permanent location a reality. The steering committee’s tireless effort led to the purchase of a three-bedroom home to serve as a temporary home for victims of domestic violence victims and their children. The home, once purchased, was furnished and equipped with food and clothing entirely from local donations. No grant money was used for this initial endeavor.
The steering committee was also charged with securing funding to hire qualified staff to operate the shelter and provide professional services which were so desperately needed throughout the community. In 1988, with the help of our State Representative Bart Stupak and the Board of Directors, funds were secured through grants from the State of Michigan. In 1991, a full-time director and a full-time counselor were hired.
BCSH Today
Today, the Baraga County Shelter Home, Inc. is governed by an 6–11-member volunteer Board of Directors charged with overseeing the activities and programs. The board represents a wide variety of expertise and experience and brings all of these resources to represent the victims of domestic violence and their families in our community.
The Baraga County Shelter Home is currently funded by local donations and grants from the Michigan Department of Human Services, Michigan Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board, Victims’ of Crime Act (VOCA), Family Violence Prevention Services Act (FVPSA), Crime Victim Sustainability Fund (CVSF), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and MSHDA. The Baraga County Shelter Home currently employs 6-8 crisis advocates, providing 24/7 support through a crisis line, emergency housing, and supportive advocacy services.
Community support was vital in the establishment of the Baraga County Shelter Home and it remains a vital component in our operations today. Strong community support is essential in the maintenance and expansion of services to the survivors of domestic violence in our area.