Our History
Partners for Rural Family Support is a
non-profit organization consisting of concerned individuals working together
to identify, develop, improve, and maintain support of families in Humboldt
and surrounding rural communities.
The surrounding rural communities
encompass 25 towns, villages as well as rural municipalities with an
overall population of approximately 40,000.
This grassroots organization originated
in 1997, when one of Humboldt's mental health workers received a phone call
from a woman who was looking for a support group for survivors of family
violence. Each agency she called told her the closest group was in
Saskatoon.
The mental health worker phoned the
Saskatoon Family Support Center. With their help a support group was offered
in Humboldt.
The response was overwhelming and within three hours we had
enough women to offer our first group.
At a meeting of community workers in
November 1997, it became evident that a partnership was required
to
supplement and complement services already existing in our rural area.
A partnership with The Centre for Rural
Studies and Enrichment, the Universities of Regina and Saskatchewan, and
Central Plains Health District enabled a research project entitled,
"Domestic Violence and the Experiences of Rural Women in East Central
Saskatchewan." The project report recommended that family abuse information
be made more readily accessible to families in rural communities.
In June 2001, Partners facilitated a Stake
Holder's Action Meeting where we looked for help in generating a framework
for action.
Since then, various groups and sectors have worked together to
develop solutions and responses to the issue.
The Partners for Rural Family Support
Centre opened its doors in September of 2001 and has since integrated more
extensive partnering with the Departments of Justice, Health, Education,
Social Services, Mental Health Services, RESOLVE Saskatchewan, local and
regional organizations and agencies, as well as the religious community.
The centre has offered support groups for
many survivors of
family violence in the rural Humboldt area since its inception in 1997.
Requests for services have increased steadily and programs have been
implemented and delivered to meet those needs.
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