Missouri Shores Domestic Violence Center Awarded $20,000 by the South Dakota Community Foundation

South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) recently awarded a $20,000 South Dakota Fund grant to Missouri Shores Domestic Violence Center (Missouri Shores). Funding will assist in purchasing new furniture for House of Hope. House of Hope is a new emergency shelter and crisis shelter serving victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and stalking in Central South Dakota.

“Missouri Shores Domestic Violence Center would like to express our sincerest thanks to the South Dakota Community Foundation,” said Sarah Reinhart, Executive Director, Missouri Shores. “The dollars will allow us to provide a warm and welcoming shelter for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and stalking as they seek safety in our brand-new House of Hope. Leaving an unsafe home is the most vulnerable time in someone’s life. One of our priorities is providing a home-like space for them to rest while they make difficult decisions about their future. Thanks to you, victims and their families can comfortably rest within our walls without fear of abuse and violence.” 

Missouri Shores began as a grassroots organization in 1979, with volunteers operating out of the Hughes County Courthouse. Today, staff work to fulfill Missouri Shore’s mission to protect victims and serve survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and stalking and prevent such violence by increasing education and awareness in Central South Dakota. House of Hope will help Missouri Shores meet their goal of providing a safe, home-like environment to the 300-plus individuals served each year. House of Hope has 11 sleeping rooms, staff space, a large, shared kitchen, a shared dining and living room, an indoor playroom, an outdoor playground, two multi-use ADA rooms that can house men, and a “soft” interview room that will allow for law enforcement interviews to take place in a comfortable environment. 

“Missouri Shores Domestic Violence Center is providing a safe haven for those in need,” says Ginger Niemann, SDCF Senior Program Officer, “SDCF is honored to support Missouri Shores, who are helping give individuals hope at a time when they may feel there is none.”