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The Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter home has relied on the support of the community, as much as victims of domestic violence rely on having a safe place to go in times of need. Since the shelter home was created in 1980 volunteer victim advocates have provided a safe place for victims to come with their children. And receive the support to create a safety plan, or take the next step to moving on from an abusive relationship. BKG Executive Director Mary Niemala says that since joining the Giving Tuesday campaign with Copper Shores the shelter home has been able to continue their vital work within Copper Country communities.
“We have a limited amount of grant funding, that is how we are funded is through grants. And in 021 we lost about 154,000 dollars from those grants. Not just us, but the state of Michigan had a percentage of money that was lost in grant funding. This event has certainly helped to bring back those services, meaning we can help pay for small things like a birth certificate if they don’t qualify for other funding elsewhere, their first month’s rent, or a security deposit. And we aren’t the first resource to go to for that, but we have been able to bring that service back in a small way for our victims of domestic violence.” – Mary Niemala, Executive Director, Barbara Ketttle Gundlach Shelter Home
Niemala says that Giving Tuesday has been a lifeline for the shelter home, especially as funds become thinner at the end of the year. Giving Tuesday donations offer a strong boost to the shelter’s ability to provide services in the community. BKG was one of the first groups to partner with Copper Shores when the foundation started its Giving Tuesday event. However, as Neimala notes, the two entities have had a close working relationship many years before then.
“Our mission and the Copper Shores mission are working toward the same thing. Improving the health and well-being of people in the community. And people don’t think of domestic violence as a health issue, but it is. Several years ago the surgeon general said it was the number one health issue facing women in America. But we do provide services for all genders that are victims of domestic violence. So going along with that, we have a mutual understanding of who we provide services to in our community.” – Mary Niemala, Executive Director, Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter Home
Giving Tuesday with the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation last year raised over 650,000 dollars from individuals in the community and from friends of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Annually the foundation has provided a match sum to add to the day of giving’s total. Adding up to over 2.7 million dollars spread throughout the copper country over the past six years. Find more information about Giving Tuesday with the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation here and more about Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter Home here.
