Partners
The Hearts for Freedom network is being built with the help of key stakeholders and partners. Our partners include individuals and organizations who are working closely with HGR not only to serve sexually exploited youth, but who are partnering with HGR to build our network of coordinated care throughout the region. Our partner organizations have committed time and energy into building the Hearts for Freedom network, in part, by serving on our Advisory Committee.
The Advisory Committee is a multi-disciplinary team that provides much needed local input, offers feedback, and supports the efforts of the Regional Navigator. This committee has been instrumental in creating and supporting the strategies used to build the Hearts for Freedom Network.
We thank all of our partners for their commitment to help intervene and prevent the sex trafficking of minors in the West Central Region of MN!
Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center (St. Cloud)
Serving those involved in the sex industry and all victims of sexual violence, exploitation, and trafficking in Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, and Wright Counties. Offering one-on one support counseling, crisis line, legal assistance, criminal advocacy, referrals, resources, outreach, support groups, educational presentations & professional trainings.
Contact:
Rebecca Kotz, Human Trafficking Services Coordinator
320-251-4357
PACT (Putting All Communities Together- Willmar)
PACT (Putting All Communities Together) for Families Collaborative is a Children’s Mental Health and Family Services Collaborative, serving children and families in Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Renville, and Yellow Medicine counties and the Upper Sioux Community. PACT has been developed to fill gaps in services and reduce duplication to improve the lives of children and families. The Mission of PACT is: Partners working together to strengthen families and support children in achieving their highest potential
PACT is a member of the West Central Safe Harbors Advisory Committee, supporting implementation of services and supports to address human trafficking.
Contacts:
Rick Loseth, LICSW
320-231-7030 ext 2976
Debb Sheehan
Debb_S@pactforfamilies.org
Lutheran Social Service
Lutheran Social Service Youth Programs provides mobile case management to connect exploited youth to a comprehensive network of resources and support services. Services are offered for youth under 18 in Kandiyohi, Meeker, McLeod, Renville, Redwood, Chippewa, Swift, Lac Qui Parle and Yellow Medicine counties.
Contacts:
Emily Gobernatz
320-429-1235
Angie Mateski
320-444-0974
Someplace Safe (West Central Minnesota)
Someplace Safe is a nonprofit organization working to eliminate violence and oppression through advocacy, education, and services in West Central Minnesota and beyond. Someplace Safe’s programming currently includes: a 24-Hour Crisis Line; Support and Advocacy services for all victims and survivors of crime, their families, and communities; Parenting Time Centers for parent-child exchanges and supervised visitation; Short Term Emergency Placement Services (S.T.E.P.S.); and two Thrift Stores to help fulfill client and community needs.
Contact:
LICSW Becki Jordan, Director of Advocacy
becki.j@someplacesafe.info
Pathways (West Central Minnesota)
Pathways of West Central MN, Inc. is non-profit, community-based agency founded that was founded in 1993 in Yellow Medicine County. Pathways is dedicated to serving victims of sexual assault in Yellow Medicine County as well as victims of sexual assault and domestic violence in Chippewa and Lac qui Parle Counties of West Central Minnesota.
Contacts:
Melissa Bodin
melissapathways@gmail.com
Jill Citrowske
jillcitrowske@gmail.com
Safe Avenues (Willmar)
Safe Avenues’ Shelter House provides emergency residential shelter services to women and their children who are in immediate danger of violence. The shelter facility provides six residential rooms with a maximum total occupancy of 16 individuals. When Shelter House is operating at maximum occupancy, additional victims in need of services are assisted by Safe Avenues’ advocates in locating available shelter facilities through Minnesota’s Day One network. Safe Avenues also has resources available for male victims who are in need of emergency shelter.
Contact:
Kimberly Guse
kimberlyg@willmarshelter.com
Greater Minnesota Family Services (Willmar)
Greater Minnesota Family Services is an organization that for over 20 years has been assisting individuals, children and families who need help with emotional and social problems and other conflicts in life that make daily living difficult rather than rewarding. We are a group of over 180 people with expertise in almost all areas of mental well-being from birth to 100. Our staff are equipped to help with emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, chemical use, and school performance to name a few. We work with families to resolve these issues by identifying options and resources to maintain the family circle.
Contact: Wendell Veurink
wveurink@greaterminnesota.org