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From Boreal Community Media - November 20, 2024

Welcome to the 2024 Boreal Community Media virtual non-profit highlight! In the past, Boreal Community Media hosted an event called Dessert to the Max to celebrate and recognize local non-profits and their incredible work for the community. The event typically coincided with the Minnesota-based celebration Give to the Max, hosted by GiveMN, an annual celebration and “giving holiday” to all non-profits across the state. 

This year, instead of an in-person celebration, Boreal is virtually honoring and highlighting these organizations on Boreal.org. 

The non-profit organization we’re highlighting today is:

Organization Name

Violence Prevention Center (VPC)

Mission/Work

The mission of the Violence Prevention Center (VPC) is to foster a community which cultivates healthy relationships, empowers systems to serve individuals with equity and compassion, and does not tolerate violence. We serve all who have been affected by or subjected to domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. The services we provide vary depending on a client's specific situation. Thanks to grants and donations, we provide financial assistance, emotional support, connection to legal resources, support filing restraining orders, temporary safe lodging, a 24-hour crisis hotline, prevention programming, and training for community members and professionals. We partner with other community entities such as law enforcement, the Cook County victim/witness coordinator, local human services departments, private and nonprofit legal services, local schools, hospital staff, local lodges, and other community professionals and leaders. Our clients have specific needs due to our remote and unique community. The VPC can meet these needs in ways that a state or national organization cannot. This is why the VPC has had such a deep impact in Cook County in the nearly 40 years we've been around and why support and collaboration from our community is so vital.

Upcoming events

We just had an amazing candlelight vigil in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness month last month. It was a beautiful event and the community really showed up and seemed moved by the poetry and speech shared. They also enjoyed a lovely spread of treats from Crosby Bakery, tea and special lemonade. Don't worry If you missed out, this is an annual event! We also have an annual event in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness month in April. Lastly, be sure to catch our annual film fundraiser February 1st. Our film fundraiser was in May this year and included some amazing donated raffle prizes and treats such as Fisherman's Daughter smoked fish, Superior Creamery ice cream, and an N/A cocktail from Poplar Haus. The next one is looking to be just as exciting - don't miss out! Follow our socials and sign up for our newsletter for more information as the event details are announced.

A fun fact about VPC

The VPC was originally started in 1986 as the Cook County Women's Collective and operated in one of the founder's basements. It was run by five trained volunteers who shared one pager, borrowed from one founder's husband. We sure have come a long way since then, although we still rely on the generosity of trained volunteers to staff our 24-hour crisis hotline.

How someone can donate

Donations can be made online at https://vpcmn.veladirect.com/donormanager/donation/create. One time and recurring donations can be set up there. You can also call (218) 387-1262 and ask for our development staff member, Destry, who can take a credit or debit donation over the phone. Lastly, checks and cash can be dropped off in the box outside the VPC suite at 21 W 2nd St or mailed to PO Box 134, Grand Marais, MN 55604.

Learn more

www.violencepreventioncenter.org

For a list of all the organizations we’ve highlighted this month, click here.

About Boreal 

Boreal Community Media is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation designed to share stories, news, and information about community activities to keep our local Cook County community connected through our website, boreal.org. In addition, we offer a free business directory, classified advertising platform, and regional events calendar to keep community members up-to-date and engaged throughout the Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, Hovland, Grand Portage, Lutsen, Sawbill Trail, Schroeder, Tofte, and the greater Arrowhead region. Our small but mighty team comprises two part-time employees, talented freelance writers, and event photographers. 

We rely on community members' financial support to continue providing the services you and others depend on each and every day. Learn more here.

If you work for, run, or know of a non-profit that would like to be highlighted sometime during the month of November, click here.