May 1, 2026 | News
May 2026
Rainbow House Domestic Abuse Services is pleased to announce that the K.C. Stock Foundation of Green Bay has awarded a $5,000 grant in support of our Oconto County Survivor Services Program. This is the first grant Rainbow House has received from the K.C. Stock Foundation, and we are deeply honored to be welcomed as a new grantee partner.
The K.C. Stock Foundation’s mission is to improve the lives of Oconto County residents physically, spiritually, and emotionally, with particular attention to disadvantaged populations. We are grateful to the Foundation’s Board of Directors for recognizing that domestic abuse survivors and their children are among the most vulnerable members of our community, and for choosing to invest in their safety, healing, and long-term stability.
Funds from this grant will support direct services for Oconto County survivors, including crisis advocacy, safety planning, civil legal services, individual counseling, and emergency shelter access. This new partnership with the K.C. Stock Foundation will help Rainbow House sustain services at a time when federal Victims of Crime Act funding has been reduced significantly nationwide.
Rainbow House has served survivors of domestic abuse across North Eastern Wisconsin since 1978. Our commitment to Oconto County, where geographic isolation and limited local resources can make reaching help especially difficult, is unwavering. The K.C. Stock Foundation’s investment helps make that commitment possible.
On behalf of the survivors and families we serve, the Rainbow House Board, and our entire team, thank you to the K.C. Stock Foundation. We look forward to a meaningful and lasting partnership.
Feb 26, 2026 | News
The Erica Anderson Memorial Scholarship was created to honor the memory of Erica Anderson, who was lost to domestic violence in Marinette County in October 2024. Established by her family, this scholarship reflects their courage and their commitment to turning grief into purpose — and into lasting change.
The scholarship offers $1,000 to a high school senior who creates the best 1.5″ – 2″ sticker promoting domestic violence awareness. By reaching young people through creative expression, the scholarship both supports education and sparks vital community conversations about an issue that affects people of all ages and backgrounds.
Feb 5, 2026 | News
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
Empowering Young People to Build Healthy Relationships
Every February, communities across the nation come together to raise awareness about teen dating violence and promote healthy relationship behaviors among young people. At Rainbow House Domestic Abuse Services, we believe that prevention starts with education, and that every young person deserves to experience relationships built on respect, equality, and safety.
The Reality of Teen Dating Violence
Teen dating violence is more common than many people realize. Nearly 1 in 3 adolescents in the U.S. will experience physical, sexual, emotional, or verbal abuse from a dating partner before they become adults. For LGBTQ+ youth, the rates are even higher. This form of abuse can have serious long-term effects on a young person’s physical and mental health, academic performance, and future relationships.
Warning Signs of Teen Dating Violence
It’s important for parents, educators, and teens themselves to recognize the warning signs of an unhealthy relationship:
| Extreme jealousy or possessiveness – Constantly checking up on their partner or accusing them of cheating |
| Isolation – Trying to keep their partner away from friends and family |
| Explosive temper – Frequent anger, mood swings, or threatening behavior |
| Control – Dictating what their partner wears, who they see, or how they spend their time |
| Digital abuse – Demanding passwords, excessive texting, or using social media to monitor or harass |
| Pressure – Forcing their partner into unwanted sexual activity or other behaviors |
What Makes a Healthy Relationship?
Healthy teen relationships are characterized by mutual respect, trust, honesty, equality, and open communication. In a healthy relationship, both partners support each other’s independence, respect boundaries, resolve conflicts peacefully, and never use violence or threats to get their way. Young people should feel safe, valued, and free to be themselves.
How Rainbow House Can Help
Rainbow House is committed to supporting teens and their families across Marinette, Oconto, and Florence Counties in Wisconsin, and Menominee Michigan. Our services include:
24/7 Crisis Support: Teens can call or text our crisis line anytime for confidential support and safety planning.
Youth Advocacy: Our trained advocates provide free, confidential support to teens experiencing dating violence, including safety planning, support groups, and connections to community resources.
Community Education: We offer prevention education programs in schools and community settings to help young people recognize the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships.
Parent and Educator Resources: We provide guidance to adults on how to talk with teens about healthy relationships and how to support a young person who may be experiencing abuse.
Take Action This February
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month is an opportunity for all of us to take action. Talk with the young people in your life about what healthy relationships look like. Listen without judgment if a teen confides in you about relationship concerns. Learn the warning signs and trust your instincts. And remember that help is always available.
Together, we can create a culture where all young people are empowered to build relationships based on respect and equality, and where teen dating violence is no longer tolerated in our communities.
| Need Help or Information?
Rainbow House is here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Crisis Line: 1-715-735-6656
All services are free and confidential.
Serving Marinette, Oconto, and Florence Counties in Wisconsin
and Menominee Michigan |
Jan 26, 2026 | News
We are deeply grateful to St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Stephenson, MI and Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Wallace, MI for their incredible generosity through their Giving Tree program. Under the leadership of Pastor Brenda Greenwald, these two sister congregations worked together to collect essential items for the families we serve through their Christmas Giving Tree program.
When our team member Irene and her volunteer husband Curt arrived to pick up the donations, they were overwhelmed by what awaited them. The gifts literally filled our van from floor to ceiling! The thoughtful collection included toys and puzzles for children, household essentials like vacuum cleaners and toasters, personal care items including body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and deodorant, cleaning supplies from laundry detergent to all-purpose cleaners, household necessities like towels, shower curtains, paper products, and first aid supplies, and backpacks for children starting fresh.
Every item represents more than just a material gift—it represents dignity, hope, and a fresh start for survivors rebuilding their lives. These donations will directly support families as they transition from crisis to safety and stability.
Thank you to Pastor Brenda Greenwald and the entire congregations of St. Stephen’s and Gethsemane Lutheran Churches for embodying the spirit of “God’s Work. YOUR hands.” Your compassion makes a profound difference in our community.
