Anna Marie's is a safe house for battered women and their children, but it is so much more. It is a place that gives these women time to come to grips with where their lives are going and how they are going to deal with it. The staff assists the clients with finding housing, getting supplies to set up housekeeping (many come with the clothes on their backs), looking for employment, and giving them support with group or one on one counciling right there at the facility. Many of the staff accompany the clients to get an order for protection & in some cases going to court for the abuse they have suffered at the hands of their spouse or significant other. Sometimes that abuser can be another family member and coping with that can be debilitating. They also offer after care (after they leave Anna Marie's) just for some guidance and help in getting signed up for programs that will help them to be independent. In all cases the staff is very caring, knowledgable, and helpful in getting these women started over in their life. It is a great place and a wonderful organization.l
I once worked at Anna Marie’s and I guarantee this is not the place for victims to stay nor staff to work. Management does not care about anyone or anything except their funds. There are great advocates but they are rarely noticed. Management refuses to acknowledge anyones opinions and concerns if they do not align with there’s. Worst part is nothing changes for future employees
I was appalled by how selfish the staff were to me when I went into this organization. Yes, they were helpful to be a safe place, but they refused to comply with your work schedule and any life you might have outside there. I was almost fired from my job because this place refused to grant me an approved overnight to go to work. I was basically forced to leave, because they kept saying they would give up my bed even though I was working overnight. I found this incredibly unprofessional. I then went to try and file an OFP with them and they turned me away because of a stupid 15 minute policy they have and I work in healthcare, where my hours are erratic, which they were aware of. I got stuck at work and was turned away based on this ludicrous policy. I would call this a shelter, but I'll never trust them with my life or my safety again. It is truly sad because even a former worker there says they have changed since she had worked there, and certainly not for the better. I am currently in fear of my abuser and this organization has once again failed to assist me in being safe from him, based on ludicrous policies they created and disgusting staff who only care to eat the food and chat with eachother, rather than help these women and children. If you really want help, I would suggest going through the court house yourself and avoiding this place if you can help it.
I volunteer at Anna Marie's only a couple hours a week as a child mentor. I am currently working on my Masters of Divinity at a seminary close to Anna Marie's. I have found the atmosphere for the kids staying there to be open and safe and fun. It normalizes their days so they can move toward healing and empowerment. They have creative activities that challenge and nurture the kids, the staff I have worked with have been amazing. I feel heard by them and appreciated every time I am there. I have quite a bit of child psyche in my background and I find that the staff is psychologically savvy , which can allow for even more healing and health to be present in their work. Anna Marie's has been a true gift for me.
Anna Marie's Alliance is a remarkable organization. The services they provide for women in abusive relationships help these women and often their children on so many levels. They not only provice them with a safe haven, but also help them to get back on their feet and continue to help them after leave. I have known people that have needed to go to Anna Marie's and they spoke very highly of their experience.
It is so powerful to help women have a safe, happy holiday season after all they've been through. It makes us appreciate what we have even more. Providing gifts to women at Anna Marie's is one of the best things we do each year and we look forward to it!
It is great to go visit the women after they leave the shelter and help them any way possible. This is a great thing for those women that still need a little bit of confidence once they leave the shelter. Just them having someone to talk to and have confidence says a lot. Tell your story here and help others understand this charity
My journey begins with a hope; a hope that all women who want to move forward in their life will have the opportunity to find and utilize tools that will assist them acheive their goals. Anna Marie's Alliance not only provides these opportunies to their clients, but they are constantly reinvesting in the volunteers as well. Volunteering is a funny thing in the more you give the more you get. Anna Marie's Alliance is an amazing organization that changes and saves lives. I am proud to be a small part of the change in women's lives.
My civic participation within this organization has become one of the high points in my life. From the first day, the staff welcomed me with open arms and empowered me to help make a difference in the lives of their consumers. I am always greeted with a smile- much like the consumers. I have learned different faucets og the organization and even interviewed for a position-but due to budget constraints wasn't able to make the move. These women are actuating, and being the change that they want to see in the world! I'm proud to be affiliated!
This charity is such an empowering one I can't put into words the sense of empowerment I feel every time I walk in their doors. They have so many knowledgeable and helpful people working and volunteering for them it is unreal. They gave me the opportunity to come in and perform massages for the clients which is not only needed by the clients but also by the staff. I am thankful for what I see them doing to better and prepare the women for life outside of an abusive and controlling atmosphere.
As a computer tutor, my experience with the women is limited to our time in the lab. I really enjoy working with the women, though I often feel I can't help them enough. This is not a function of the shelter, but of the amount of time and energy I am able to devote to it. Some day I hope to be able to do more, because I really like the organization, and the women who I have helped. Anna Marie's provides such a critical service in our community, and they do it with respect for all the families who stay there. Computer skills are not necessarily one of the highest priorities for women at the shelter, so often they are really in need of basic needs. But I think Anna Marie's does their best to provide more than just the basics – in hopes of helping the women transition to a better place when they leave.
I work at St. Cloud State University's Women's Center. Anna Marie's provides great resources for our students who are dealing with domestic violence. They are always available for consultation when I am working with a student and have been willing to come up with creative solutions to assist our students. Anna Marie's has been a wonderful partner in our community and made a difference in the lives of students.
I have been involved in many facets of board work with Anna Marie's Alliance: board chairperson, Personnel Committee Chairperson, Civic Engagement initiative to promote healthy relationships in workplaces, charitable gambling, permanent housing task force, etc. Anna Marie's provides a safe place for women and children; they work with women to take control of their lives and set goals to become independent. This organization works in partnership with many other organizations and always pushes to be the best at their work. They speak out about justice issues and innovative ways to reduce domestic violence against women.