Aaniin (Greetings)

Friends and Relatives of

Women’s Advocates, 

As our 2023-2024 fiscal year comes to an end, I am thrilled to share some exciting updates and plans for the year ahead. Women’s Advocates has made a significant milestone in our Capital Campaign to officially acquire the buildings needed to make our vision of doubling our shelter space a reality.

In addition to increasing our physical shelter capacity, at the start of the new fiscal year we will be expanding our team, programs, and services for youth in our community through our Lean On Me campaign. I am pleased to announce that Alex McDougall has accepted the role of Director of Outreach & Youth Engagement, effective July 1. Alex has made a significant impact since joining our Women’s Advocates team as Community Education & Outreach Manager, demonstrating dedication and passion in supporting victim-survivors and their families through her work. Additionally, we will soon welcome a Youth Engagement Coordinator who will focus on outreach and programming in the Twin Cities Metro area.

I’m thrilled to announce our latest community collaboration. Women’s Advocates has partnered with five other Twin Cities organizations to establish the Minnesota Pet Coalition. This initiative ensures that victim-survivors can find solace in knowing their pets will receive care while seeking safety from abuse in an emergency shelter. Your ongoing support is crucial for us to sustain our efforts in aiding individuals of all ages, genders, and sexual orientations, as well as their beloved pets. Join us in advancing our mission to end the cycle of domestic violence by donating or signing up to foster a pet today.

Holly Henning

Executive Director

We are excited to share a major milestone in our Capital Campaign. We have signed the paperwork to officially acquire two new buildings in Saint Paul, DOUBLING our shelter space by creating 19 new ADA-compliant apartments, totaling 58 beds. Our new facilities will welcome victim-survivors of all genders, sexualities, and abilities, along with their pets, who will be allowed to live with their owners 24/7 in their apartment! With over 60% of our $14.25M goal raised for our new project, we’re making strides towards a safer, brighter future, but still need your support to make our vision a reality. 

Our expansion isn’t just about physical space; it’s about meeting the needs of all victim-survivors. Executive Director Holly Henning shared, “We’ve just expanded and adapted with survivor voice at the table really guiding the work.” Tune in for a powerful conversation on MPR with Holly and Shelley Cline, Executive Director of SPIP, to learn more about this exciting campaign and our 50th anniversary as the first shelter in the nation for victim-survivors of domestic violence.

We’ve partnered with Cornerstone, Tubman, Animal Humane Society, The Bond Between, and Four Winds Connections to establish the Minnesota Pet Coalition.

The mission of the Minnesota Pet Coalition is to eliminate barriers that prevent individuals from seeking safety in shelters by providing a comprehensive solution for the care of their pets. “One of our goals at The Bond Between is to keep people and pets together. We want to make fostering accessible to everybody. We provide all supplies, anything you would need—baby gates, crates, bowls, leashes—anything you can think of,” said Carrie Openshaw, Director of Community Outreach at The Bond Between. The Bond Between and Animal Humane Society provide food, veterinary care, and any necessary items for pets, free of charge. Four Winds Connections offers free training and behavioral support.

You can help make a difference by becoming a short-term (up to 72 hours) or

long-term (up to 90 days) foster home or transport volunteer to help keep

victim-survivors’ pets safe while they find safety from abuse in a shelter. 

We are excited to announce that donations to our Lean On Me program will be matched, thanks to the generosity of the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation. However, to unlock the $26,000 match, we first need your help raising $26,000. Every dollar you contribute up to $26,000 will be doubled, providing a significant boost to our programming for youth!

In addition to this generous funding opportunity, we are expanding our team with a Youth Outreach Director and Youth Engagement Coordinator to better serve the young people in our community. These roles will strengthen connections to support through school, mentorship, and other community resources, making a positive impact on the lives of youth.

STAY CONNECTED