Otto Bremer Trust gives $50,000 to support Rainbow House general operations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: David Hakensen, H Co., 612-840-4592

Otto Bremer Trust makes 236 grants totaling record $15.9 million

More than $2.3 million awarded to organizations in Wisconsin

SAINT PAUL, December 9, 2021 — The Otto Bremer Trust has awarded $15,978,453 as part of its most recent grantmaking cycle, making it the largest responsive grant round in the organization’s 77-year history.

“All these grants represent OBT’s ongoing commitment to responsive grantmaking,” said Daniel Reardon, Co-CEO and Trustee, Otto Bremer Trust. “These organizations are providing much-needed services despite the effects of the lingering pandemic and its continued economic impact.”

The Otto Bremer Trust is a bank holding company and a private charitable trust based in Saint Paul, Minn., that works at the intersection of finance and philanthropy. Created in 1944 by Otto Bremer, it is today one of the nation’s largest philanthropic organizations and is committed to supporting a better quality of life for residents of Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. OBT is the majority owner of Bremer Financial Corporation, a regional financial services company; manages a diversified investment portfolio; and operates Community Benefit Financial Company, a financial resources subsidiary. Since its founding, OBT has invested more than $841 million in people, places, and opportunities in the Upper Midwest. Visit ottobremer.org.

A list of grants awarded to organizations in Wisconsin is included below. For a complete list of grants awarded, see the full release on our website.

Northwest Wisconsin

American National Red Cross – Wisconsin Region, Altoona, WI, $100,000. For general operations to provide disaster response for the public, support services for veterans, and humanitarian aid for international evacuees in Wisconsin.

Amery Area Senior Citizens, Inc., Amery, WI, $35,000. For general operations to provide programs and services that benefit the health and wellness of community members.

Amery Regional Medical Center Foundation, Amery, WI, $150,000. To renovate the emergency department and cancer treatment center in order to meet medical needs in northwest Wisconsin.

Caring Hearts Thriftshop, INC, Webster, WI, $20,000. For general operations to provide food, clothing, and other supports to meet basic needs in northwest Wisconsin.

Fierce Freedom Inc, Altoona, WI, $15,000. For general operations to address human trafficking by supporting survivors and educating the public in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Free Clinic of Pierce and St. Croix Counties, Inc., River Falls, WI, $33,000. For general operations to provide free primary healthcare, medications, and preventative health education for Pierce and St. Croix County residents.

Friends of the Glenwood City Library, Inc., Glenwood City, WI, $25,000. To provide furniture and equipment for the new library in Glenwood City, Wisconsin.

Hudson Hospital Foundation, Hudson, WI, $25,000. To improve pediatric healthcare through access to on-demand virtual consultations with medical specialists.

Indianhead Enterprises of Menomonie, Inc., Menomonie, WI, $3,000. To provide community-based pre-vocational programs to ensure people with disabilities have access to community resources and employment options in Menomonie, Wisconsin.

Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers of Burnett County Inc., Webster, WI, $45,000. For general operations to provide a variety of support services for individuals and families in need in northwest Wisconsin.

Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College, Hayward, WI, $20,000. To provide micro-grants to assist students with emergency expenses that might threaten their ability to be successful in college.

Literacy Volunteers – Chippewa Valley, Eau Claire, WI, $44,185. For general operations to provide free, flexible adult basic education services.

West Central Wisconsin Community Action Agency, Inc., Glenwood City, WI, $119,000. For general operations to improve the quality of life and increase self-sufficiency for low-income households in northwest Wisconsin.

Westfields Hospital Foundation, Inc., New Richmond, WI, $40,000. To provide grief support and resiliency training to youth and staff in the New Richmond and Somerset school districts.

North-Central Wisconsin

Boys & Girls Club of the Wausau Area, Inc., Wausau, WI, $125,000. For general operations and to renovate facilities to provide out-of-school youth development programming.

Northeast Wisconsin

CASA of the Fox Cities, Appleton, WI, $20,000. For general operations to advocate in local court to achieve placement in safe and permanent homes for children who have experienced abuse and neglect.

Catalpa Health, Inc., Appleton, WI, $50,000. For general operations to increase access to pediatric mental health services in Wisconsin.

Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes, Appleton, WI, $50,000. To provide the Girl Scout Leadership Experience for girls in northern Wisconsin.

Habitat For Humanity of Oshkosh, Inc., Oshkosh, WI, $20,000. For general operations to support households of low income to acquire and/or maintain housing.

Life Tools Foundation, Inc., Combined Locks, WI, $10,000. For general operations to provide one-on-one tutoring and skill-building for students of low income.

Mooring Programs, Inc. dba Apricity, Neenah, WI, $50,000. For general operations to provide support services to adults recovering from substance use disorders.

Neighborhood Housing Services Of Green Bay, Inc., Green Bay, WI, $25,000. For the Homebuyer Preparation Program to prepare families for homeownership through housing, financial education, and counseling.

Rainbow House Domestic Abuse Services, Inc., Marinette, WI, $50,000. For general operations to support survivors of domestic violence and their children throughout northeastern Wisconsin.

Sheboygan County Food Bank, Inc., Sheboygan, WI, $25,000. For general operations to increase food security and access in Sheboygan County.

St. Vincent de Paul Society of Appleton, Inc., Appleton, WI, $30,000. For the Basic Needs Program to support families of low income in Appleton.

Wise Women Gathering Place, Inc., Green Bay, WI, $30,000. For general operations to provide advocacy and support services for women experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, and other traumas.

Southwest Wisconsin

Catholic Charities, Inc., Diocese of Madison, Madison, WI, $30,000. For The Beacon Homeless Day Resource Center to provide support services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

Couleecap, Inc., Westby, WI, $83,150. To support food deliveries, address housing barriers, and provide work experiences for low-income and homeless individuals and families.

Family Promise Of Greater Beloit, Inc., Beloit, WI, $60,000. For general operations and renovations to address homelessness by providing basic needs, shelter, and transitional housing support.

Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation, Inc., La Crosse, WI, $24,518. For the purchase of iPads for residents and fellows to increase their efficiency and flexibility in providing care.

Madison-Area Urban Ministry, dba JustDane, Madison, WI, $50,000. For Healing House, a medical recuperative shelter for families experiencing homelessness.

Operation Fresh Start, Madison, WI, $65,000. For general operations to provide education, mentoring, and employment training opportunities for young adults.

Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish dba Catholic Multicultural Center, Madison, WI, $30,000. To provide legal services to low-income immigrants, asylees, and refugees.

The Road Home Dane County, Madison, WI, $50,000. For general operations to provide programs and support services for homeless families in Dane County.

St. Clare Health Mission, La Crosse, WI, $50,000. For general operations to provide access to free healthcare to individuals of low-income in La Crosse.

United Way of Dane County, Madison, WI, $50,000. For Journey Home to provide coordinated reentry services in Dane County.

Southeast Wisconsin

1000 Generations, Inc., Elkhorn, WI, $50,000. For general operations to provide a community-based movement to promote systems of natural support for families in crisis and deflection from child welfare and foster care systems.

Audio & Braille Literacy Enhancement, Inc., Milwaukee, WI, $30,000. For general operations to produce and provide braille and audiobooks for people who are blind or print disabled.

Bethesda Lutheran Communities, Watertown, WI, $200,000. To promote safety, independence, and skill development through smart tech-based affordable housing and supportive services for people with developmental disabilities, seniors, and those at risk of homelessness in Milwaukee.

Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha Inc., Kenosha, WI, $65,000. For general operations to provide youth development and enrichment to at-risk children and youth in Kenosha.

Elmbrook Senior Taxi, Inc., Brookfield, WI, $15,000. For general operations to increase transportation services for seniors and adults with disabilities.

Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, $150,000. For general operations to recover and distribute food to support food programs throughout eastern Wisconsin.

Friends, Inc., West Bend, WI, $35,000. For general operations to provide safe shelter and trauma-informed care for individuals and families experiencing domestic or sexual violence in southwest Wisconsin.

Giving to the Nations Inc, Racine, WI, $10,000. For general operations to provide personal care, baby care, and household cleaning products to address hygiene needs.

Literacy Services of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, $60,000. For general operations to provide adult literacy education, digital literacy, and workforce skills training.

Milwaukee Christian Center, Inc., Milwaukee, WI, $30,000. To provide opportunities, support, and services to assist older adults to remain healthy, living in their own homes, and connected to the community.

Wisconsin Statewide

Wisconsin Philanthropy Network, Inc., Milwaukee, WI, $4,100. For membership support to help donors maximize philanthropic efforts in Wisconsin communities.

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Thank you, Menominee American Legion Auxiliary!

Volunteers from the American Legion Auxiliary in Menominee, MI dropped off a large donation of holiday toys, purses, slippers, hats, and mittens this week.  Thank you for making the Holidays brighter for survivors of domestic violence!

Emergency Funds Available to Domestic Abuse Survivors

 

The challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, including economic stress, have increased the risks and severity of domestic abuse. To support families whose safety is at risk, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) has launched the Living Independently Through Financial Empowerment (LIFE) program using emergency funding allocated to the state through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Under this program, domestic violence survivors can access pandemic relief funds to become financially empowered to live independent, violence-free lives. Eligible survivors will receive temporary financial assistance totaling $3,500 over a three-month period ($1,500 in month one and $1,000 in months two and three). To learn more, visit www.dcf.wisconsin.gov/life.

How to Safely End a Relationship

Did you know the most dangerous time in an unhealthy or abusive relationship is during and after a breakup?

That’s one of the reasons why sitting down and developing a plan before ending a relationship is so important. Even if you are not leaving an abusive situation, having a plan is a great idea and can give you the support you need in a difficult time. Keep in mind you can reach out to trained advocates at any time via phone, text, or DM if you don’t know where to start.

Here are a few of the basics to consider before ending a relationship.

💙 What is a safety/breakup plan?
A safety/breakup plan is a personalized strategy to navigate from potentially dangerous situations.

💙 Why is it important to have a safety/breakup plan?
Once you have made the decision to end a relationship, your instinct may be to do it quickly, but during a breakup, your partner might escalate their aggression or threaten self-harm to keep you from leaving. That’s why it’s really important to take the time to make a plan of action and know it might change over time. If you are at all concerned about how your partner might react to a breakup, or if you feel increasingly threatened, it is vital to add more safety measures. Remember, it’s always better to be over prepared and take precautions.

💙 It’s okay to ask for help 
If you are in an unhealthy or abusive relationship, know that the abuse is not your fault and that you deserve to feel safe. Asking for help to leave a relationship that no longer makes you happy or threatens your safety is brave and a sign of strength! There is no weakness in leaning on the people and resources around you.

💙 Conflicting feelings are normal
It’s easy to look back on a relationship and focus on the good parts. Doing this may make you question if you want to go through with the breakup at all — but there are two key things to remember here. First, you may understand the reasons behind your partner’s behaviors, but know there is never an excuse for treating you in an unhealthy or abusive way — it’s not your job to “fix” your partner. Second, feeling sad or missing your partner during a breakup is normal. Trust your gut in making the best decision for you and lean on your support networks to help you through this tough time.

Tips for safely breaking up with someone:

  • Create a safety/breakup plan. Lean on trusted resources or your local domestic violence organization to make one.
  • Let your friends, parents, or a trusted adult* know that you are ending your relationship, especially if you think the other person will try to confront you when you’re alone.
  • It is normal to miss your partner after a breakup, even if they have been abusive. Write down your reasons for ending the relationship and keep them as a reminder. Give a copy to a trusted friend who you have identified to be part of your support system.
  • If you don’t feel safe, don’t break up in person. Trust your gut! Sometimes the safest way to break up is by phone or social media, even if it feels impersonal or mean.
  • If you end your relationship in person, strongly consider doing it in a public place where there are other people around. Have friends or your parents wait nearby and always take a cell phone with you.

If you or someone you know is experiencing an unhealthy or abusive relationship, check out our real-time resources, or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

Get Help

*For LGBTQ+ young people, you might be concerned about being outed during or after a breakup. It’s okay and important to find a trusted adult if your parents are not supportive.

 

Thank you from the One Love Foundation

Thank you, Walmart Giving!

We are excited to announce that Rainbow House received a $4,000 grant from Walmart Giving!  This award helps us to better meet the needs of survivors of domestic violence in our community .  #BetterTogether, #WalmartGiving and #Walmart
Mrs. Helen Walton used to say “It’s not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.”