Women’s Advocates Is Helping Victims and Survivors of Domestic Violence during COVID-19 in Minnesota, and You Can Help

Minnesotans are stepping up and making a difference during the COVID-19 pandemic, and I want to make sure people know about all the organizations out there doing great work and helping during this crisis and beyond. I’m profiling a different nonprofit each day to share their information and their story.

Today’s entry is Women’s Advocates, led by my friend and colleague Estelle Brouwer, which started out in 1972 as a divorce rights information line to provide women leaving their abusive partners with legal information and advice. It quickly became apparent that the biggest obstacle for the women they were assisting was a safe place to stay. Volunteers decided to write letters asking people in their circles for donations to purchase a permanent shelter. Within two years, they had raised enough money and were able to make a down payment on a house at 584 Grand Avenue. Later, Women’s Advocates purchased and connected the two adjoining.

Today, the organization—which was the first shelter in the nation for women and their children escaping domestic violence—has flourished into an even stronger program that provides shelter and services to an average of 50 women and children daily. It conducts crisis interventions, provides safety referrals via a crisis line, and educates students and professionals about domestic abuse awareness, prevention, and services.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Women’s Advocates has continued regular shelter operations and advocacy for the families currently staying in its shelter. In addition, it continues to operate its 24/7 crisis line, offering phone support and referrals to services for victims and survivors of domestic violence. Its work is critical during these trying times—head over to the Women’s Advocate website to learn more about what it does and how you can support the organization.

Women’s Advocates