Local victim-services group reports crisis support to 65 households, requests county funding

A nonprofit listed on the agenda as Bridal Intervention Services gave the Wright County Board of Supervisors its annual update on Jan. 5 and asked the board to consider a $1,000 county contribution.

"We provided crisis services to 65 households," Mary Ingham, introduced as the organization's executive director, told the board. "The total value of our crisis services last year was $67,677.85." She said the organization provided housing and financial assistance to 11 households totaling $5,901.30 and facilitated four prevention and education programs in the county that reached about 900 people.

Rachel Thacker identified herself as a domestic abuse advocate and said she provides safety planning, medical advocacy and law-enforcement support for residents coming out of abusive relationships. Allison Claybaugh, identified as a sexual-assault advocate, said she works primarily with youth survivors and with schools and law enforcement to meet children at safe spaces and provide support.

A supervisor noted the nonprofit had submitted a letter requesting $1,000 from the county. Board members and presenters discussed whether opioid-settlement or prevention dollars could be used for some programming; presenters indicated there are criteria for opioid funds and recommended coordinating with county staff (named in the discussion as Sandy McGrath) to determine eligibility.

Board members thanked the presenters and asked staff to consider the request as part of upcoming budget discussions.

Ending

Presenters left the board with a request for $1,000 and an offer to work with county staff to explore opioid-prevention funding; the board signaled the request would be considered during budget deliberations next week.

(Reporting note: the organization’s name appears variably in the transcript; the article uses the name shown on the meeting agenda and recorded in the minutes.)