The mission of the Abused Adult Resource Center is to assist victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence and human trafficking by establishing and maintaining a program which will provide temporary shelter, crisis intervention, prevention, education, support and hope as a vision to eliminate violence.
The Abused Adult Resource Center (AARC) headquartered in Bismarck, North Dakota since 1976, provides emergency support, crisis intervention, temporary shelter, food, counseling, and advocacy to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence and human trafficking. We serve families and individuals in distress throughout south central North Dakota, helping them find a life free from abuse. The service area includes Burleigh, Morton, Kidder, Grant, Emmons, Sheridan and Sioux counties (including the Standing Rock Indian Reservation).
We also work with the community to develop an awareness and sensitivity to the issues of domestic violence and sexual assault and to establish programs to break the “cycle of abuse.” The mission of the AARC is to “assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault by establishing and maintaining a program which will provide temporary shelter, crisis intervention, prevention, education, support and hope as a vision to eliminate violence.” AARC programs, staff and volunteers have been widely recognized for their work in building a healthier, safer community.
Among our initiatives are these programs:
Crisis Intervention
Programs to break the cycle of violence, including a 24-hour crisis hotline, advocacy, emotional support, and referrals
Children's Programs
Counseling, support, education and child abuse prevention
Family Safety Center
Safe, neutral place where parents can visit children in foster care because of abuse and neglect, and where custodial parents can transfer temporary custody of their children to noncustodial parents for visitation
Pam's House
A “safe house” for women and children affected by domestic violence, combining temporary shelter with counseling and assistance for rebuilding lives
RedRover Safe Housing program
Offering a pet friendly program to house pets of domestic violence victims
Criminal Justice Program
Prepares certified domestic violence advocates who assist victims through the legal process of obtaining a court order for protection
Target Population
Established in 1976, the Abused Adult Resource Center provides services to adult, adolescent, and child victims of recent and prior acts of abuse. Clients served include victims of physical assault, survivors of rape, incest and sexual abuse and victims of emotional abuse in South Central North Dakota.
Funding
The Abused Adult Resource Center receives most of its funding from people and businesses in our community as well as from corporate and foundation grants, federal and state grants, local churches, and fraternal and civic organizations.
History
The Abused Adult Resource Center has been helping victims of domestic violence and sexual assault for more than 40 years. The AARC began as a citizens task force in 1976 under the name Abused Women’s Resource Closet. In March 1977, the Region VII Community Action Program and the Mental Health Association of North Dakota sponsored a CETA Project to establish a program of direct services to adult victims of domestic violence. The Abused Women’s Resource Closet became the Abused Adult Resource Center in January 1984.
Board of Directors, Staff and Volunteers
The AARC is guided by a nine member volunteer board of directors. The board establishes the policy guidelines which provide the direction for the day-to-day operation of the Center. The board meets monthly and reviews all operations, including fiscal, of the Center.
There are more than 200 active volunteers who play a key role in providing crisis intervention for the 24 hour hot-line. Volunteers also fill critical roles in helping at the shelter, in the office and in special fundraising events.
The AARC also provides the opportunity for individuals seeking job training and employment by serving as a placement site the for the Green Thumb program, Welfare-to-Work, CWEP, VISTA, and, JTPA youth placements; students from MSU Criminal Justice Program, UM & Medcenter One Nursing and Social Work students, and Bismarck Public Schools Mentorship Program for high school juniors and seniors.
