WAVI continues to support victims and educate community
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by Siandhara Bonnet, Rapid City Journal / Photos by Grace Pritchett
founded in 1978 by Kathy Peil, Pat Hinrichs n organization started by three and Margot Burton to help women and women in the late ‘70s to help children in crisis situations by providing battered women get out of abusive temporary emergency shelter, food and/ relationships has expanded into an agency helping anyone in an abusive or supportive services, and to educate the community on the issues relationship and victims of of battery. It was originally human trafficking, and to called the “Battered Women’s educate the community on "When they stay here, Task Force Organization.” abuse. they’re already being “These women saw a need, Simmons said the organization is discussing they were young themselves, uprooted, and it’s home and they stepped up and expanding further from its even if it’s temporary." Quincy Street location to have decided something needed to - Kristina Simmons an administration-dedicated be done,” WAVI development WAVI Deveopment Director director Kristina Simmons building and a shelterdedicated building. said. “I’ve talked to several of them — they’re fiery and WAVI is currently adding a shower to its downstairs bathroom. they're just grit and just amazing people... They’ve gotten to watch to see where we are “We just want to make sure when people stay here they’re as accommodated as today, and to be talking about expanding again, possible,” Simmons said. “When they stay here, they’re still part of that conversation.” WAVI, Working Against Violence, Inc., was they’re already being uprooted, and it’s home
8 ELEVATE • MARCH 2021
