HISTORY AND PEOPLE

Founded in 1978 by Louise Seliski, with the support of a grant through the Minnesota Department of Corrections, the Mid-Minnesota Women’s Center became the fifth battered women’s shelter in the state. Since its beginning, the shelter has provided critical services and a haven to women and children experiencing domestic violence. Louise served as the Executive Director until 2011 when she retired.

 

Originally a large, old home at 13th and Oak streets in southeast Brainerd, the shelter accepted its first family in August of 1978. The original shelter was intended to house six women and children, though was often over-capacity. In 1995, the existing shelter was built in southeast Brainerd and has a 26-bed capacity in six bedrooms. The shelter operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and serves about 120 people annually.

 

Built so it can be divided into two sections, the shelter was able to expand beyond serving just women and their children to serving all people that suffer relationship abuse and need a place for safety. When the shelter is full, temporary housing in local hotels is provided through the use of special grant funds. Early on in our history, Louise recognized that pets are often also abused and bringing them to the shelter with their families provided meaningful comfort. This organization is unique in that family pets are welcomed and the many benefits of their presence within the shelter are embraced.