The Otto Bremer Foundation, majority owner of Bremer Bank, recently awarded $70,970 to Someplace Safe, based in Fergus Falls.
The funds will be used to help with community violence prevention education and training.
“The Otto Bremer Foundation and Bremer Bank are committed to building healthy communities,” said Carol Juul, president of Bremer Bank in Fergus Falls, in a press release. “It’s gratifying that our owner and partner, the Otto Bremer Foundation, has offered its backing to this great organization, which provides critical services to support the overall health of our community and the surrounding area.”
“These dollars would not be available without the support of our Bremer Bank clients,” Juul added. “When clients bank with Bremer, we generate profits, a portion of which we deliver to the Foundation which then uses those funds to make grants in communities like ours.”
Someplace Safe provides services to crime victims and specializes in high-quality advocacy services for victims and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, and general crimes. The organization operates 10 advocacy offices, directly serving a nine-county rural area in the west central portion of the state.
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In addition to these supportive services, five Parenting Time Centers provide locations for parent-child visitation and exchange services to help strengthen family relationships. Someplace Safe’s retail Thrift Store offers unique opportunities for both clients and community members.
Said Executive Director Sheila Korby, “Since 1979, Someplace Safe has expanded and adapted programming to better meet the changing needs of the communities we serve. To create a safer world for everyone, we work to eliminate violence and oppression through advocacy, education, and services. This is the mission of Someplace Safe, the guiding force behind all of our work, and the overarching goal of the organization’s staff, board of directors, and supporters.”
Diane Kittelson has been hired as the director of training and education for Someplace Safe. She brings more than 10 years of violence prevention experience in advocacy, education, and community organizing. She served six years on the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women’s Board of Directors and two years on the Minnesota Victim Assistance Academy Steering Committee.
She has provided numerous trainings and educational opportunities throughout the Someplace Safe service area as well as statewide.
