More help for abuse victims available in Shakopee

By Julia Fomby - jfomby@swpub.com - Jan. 13 2024 - SW News Media
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Southern Valley Alliance has moved to Shakopee to better help victims of domestic abuse throughout the area.

The new facility opened on Jan. 2 and is now located at 103 Third Ave. East in the downtown Shakopee area. Because the organization serves a significant portion of the southwest metro area, the new location was deemed necessary and offers a convenient location for those seeking help.

SVA was founded in the late 1980s by a domestic abuse survivor who realized there were not enough local resources to help others in similar situations. Since then, the organization has grown and assisted more than 24,000 women, men and children. On average, the organization helps over 1,000 people who are in abusive relationships on an annual basis.

Christie Larson, who has been with the organization for the past four and a half years, said the move to Shakopee came from wanting to be more central to people who needed help. While the organization was originally founded to help more rural farm women, most associated with the organization realized the need to find a more convenient location. The new facility has closer proximity to a larger population, and the new space offers better safety features like bulletproof glass, and a secure entrance.

As a non-profit entity, the SVA has relied on state funding, private donations and fundraising efforts in the past, and while it is a private non-profit agency. Programs they offer — support groups and a 24-hour crisis line — are crucial in making certain help is available for victims. Without those funds, Larson said it would be difficult to offer the level of services that are needed.

We’re lucky because we got funding this year, Larson said. Lots of other programs got cut because there wasn’t enough money to meet all needs.

SVA recently received the TEGNA Community Grant, which was a significant help in allowing them to continue their work. That said, the organization will continue to hold other fundraising events, and in April they will hold the annual Hops and Hotdish gala, its biggest event of the year.

Larson also noted that volunteers can be hard to come by. The SVA currently has seven staff members, but rely on volunteers to help accomplish some of the bigger projects.

Lots of people think that because we work in domestic abuse, they need to have a background in order to help, she said. Obviously, we have trained staff for that, but volunteers are welcome for all sorts of projects.

For more information on ways to help, or donations, go to the SVA website, https://svamn.org/