Domestic Violence & Abuse Center, Inc.

Since DVAC's founding in 1982, there have been many changes that have taken place. Here are the highlights, starting with present day.

2018    Due to the success of Choice to Change, our men's non-violence group, we now employ a Program Coordinator, which is a new position for this program. The Program Coordinator will oversee the two part-time facilitators. This program is making a positive change for the individuals who attend and graduate this program.

2017    There was recent growth that took place at DVAC and the organization presently includes a full-time executive director, two full-time advocates in Walsh County, a part-time advocate in Cavalier county, a part-time advocate in Pembina county, three shelter staff, and one part-time digital content coordinator.

2013    Choice to Change was founded. DVAC sent two individuals to become Certified Facilitators for this program. They were trained in the Duluth Model and returned to Mountain, ND to lead weekly groups that focus on stopping the cycle of abuse and promoting healthy relationships.

2011   In January, DVAC hired two part-time Direct Service Advocates to replace one previously full-time advocate who had covered both Cavalier and Pembina Counties.  Each part-time advocate will be fully devoted to their assigned county.

2007   The program celebrated its 25th Anniversary. In June, the Board of Directors voted to change the name of the program from Tri-County Crisis Intervention, Inc. to Domestic Violence & Abuse Center, Inc. to more accurately describe the services offered.

2001   February brought the re-organization of our program after financial shortfalls caused the lay-offs of 4 full-time staff members. This was all through the diligent efforts of the volunteer Board of Directors who spent countless hours reorganizing, planning, budgeting, and managing the day-to-day operations.

1996   A child advocate was added to the staff in April. A satellite office was opened in Pembina County in November with a victim/witness advocate.

1994   The Shelter opened its doors in October. Otto Bremer paid our rent for the first 3 years and the Emergency Shelter Grant Program paid for the security system and many of the furnishings. Community groups decorated individual rooms and donated all the necessities.

1991   In October, $21,000 was borrowed from the Otto Bremer Foundation to purchase pull-tab machines to help raise funds for our program. DVAC raised more than $20,000 per year for the next four years. Unfortunately, the bars then decided to rent the gaming machines from other organizations so the gaming machines were sold and the gaming revenue ended. However, by then enough money had been raised to hire another advocate. With high hopes for a shelter, planning began.

1988   A full-time director was hired with a very unstable salary. The director accepted partial paychecks a couple of times and the organization had to borrow from the bank twice for her to receive a paycheck.

1986   The name of the program was changed from The Quad County Community Action Agency to Tri-County Crisis Intervention, Inc. A Victim Assistance Program was added to the domestic violence program because of the many different kinds of victims who need assistance in our criminal justice system. The government hired a VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) member to "sell" the program to the public. Staff learned how to write acceptable grant proposals and began adding services to assist the rising number of victims. Safe homes were found to shelter victims and their children. Sometimes advocates had to sneak up and down alleys at night to keep these homes secret, which was challenging in a rural setting.

1982   The Quad County Community Action Agency was created in response to the number of calls being received from the victims of domestic violence asking for help. The program was very limited to mostly helping victims find safe shelter.