218-828-1216
1414 MAPLE STREET, BRAINERD
Louise Seliski Shelter
Previously known as the Mid-Minnesota Women’s Center, our facility was founded by Louise Seliski in 1978. Louise served as the Executive Director until 2011 when she retired. The shelter was renamed in honor of her contributions to ending domestic violence. While women and children are still our clients, the new name reflects the inclusion of all survivors regardless of age, race, gender, religion, ethnicity or disability.
What is Domestic Violence?
The wide range of behaviors that fall under domestic violence can be overwhelming and confusing. It is defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control. Physical and sexual abuse may be the first types of violence that come to mind, but emotional and psychological abuse are behaviors that are just as damaging. Actions that intimidate, humiliate, manipulate, injure or wound another person are all considered domestic abuse. There is no discrimination of age, race, gender, religion or sexual orientation. Domestic violence can happen to anyone. More recently, relationship abuse has become a more widely used term as it recognizes all forms interpersonal violence can take.
What We Do
Many people stay in a violent relationship because they feel they have nowhere to go. We are a nonprofit organization providing a safe, secure facility for those seeking a way out of their violent situation. Our intake is open 24-hours a day and provides the resources and services to advocate for survivors of all types of relationship abuse. With respect, honesty, confidentiality and accountability, we support survivors in developing their personal goals. Family pets are welcomed and the many benefits of their presence within the shelter are embraced. Pets that may be too large for our facility can be fostered until they can be reunited with their family.
Services We Offer
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24-hour Emergency Shelter
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24-hour Crisis, Information and Referral Line
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Assistance in Filing Orders for Protection and Harassment Restraining Orders
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Accompaniment and Support at Court Hearings
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Facilitated Self-Help Support Groups
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Public Speaking and Professional Training
For more information on the Shelter, please contact us:
218-828-1216 or info@relationshipsafety.org
2602 OAK STREET, BRAINERD
Alex & Brandon Child Safety Center
The Story of Alex and Brandon
Alex, 5, and Brandon, 4, lived with their mother in Brainerd and regularly attended a support group for children. In 1996, during an unsupervised visit with their father, the boys were murdered. This devastating loss was the catalyst for the creation of the Alex & Brandon Child Safety Center in 2000.
What We Do
The Alex & Brandon Child Safety Center provides a safe, secure, neutral, family-oriented space for supervised parenting time and safe exchange of children between parents/caregivers. For those in family crisis, this service is invaluable, and can be lifesaving. We provide a nurturing environment where families can interact in a comfortable, home-like setting. Healthy relationships between parent and child do not have age limits, and we seek to be the safe space needed to facilitate growth in these times spent together. We also provide a safe environment and resources for parents and their adult children that may be under stress because of financial reasons, as well as elder abuse.
For more information on costs and how to schedule an exchange or visit, please contact us: 218-828-0022 or info@relationshipsafety.org.
Services We Offer
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A safe facility for supervised visitation
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Family-friendly environment available 365 days a year
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A secure, confidential system that provides:
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No contact between parents/caregivers
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Safe exchanges
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Multiple methods of supervised visits
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Education and support for adults and children
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Nurturing parenting skills for families in Supervised Visitation Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible? People who:
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Fear violence or intimidation connected with exchange/visitation.
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Fear the other party will not return children after a visit.
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Are connected to foster care because of abuse or neglect and are still allowed supervised visits.
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Are concerned about other forms of relationship abuse.
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Are court-ordered to have supervised visits.
GROUPS AND OUTREACH
Support and Education
Support Groups
Feeling alone during a time of crisis can be overwhelming, disabling and isolating. Talking with and being surrounded by people that can relate to the experiences you are enduring can be healing and empowering. The Relationship Safety Alliance offers free community support groups—led by trained facilitators. Our dedicated volunteers will provide supervision of children during these meetings. Some examples of groups we’ve facilitated are Circle of Change groups, domestic violence support groups and children’s support groups. Check out our Events page for our current groups.
Education
The first step to acknowledging and ending relationship abuse is knowing what it is. The Relationship Safety Alliance is available for presentations on various topics including healthy relationships, the effects of violence on children, elder abuse and dating violence. School classrooms (elementary through college), community organizations, and professional groups are all excellent places to hold a presentation. These presentations promote advocacy that can transform our communities into healthy places where abuse is not tolerated.
For more information on support groups or to discuss a speaker request, please contact us: 218-828-1216 or info@relationshipsafety.org