The Friendship Center Fills Unique Community Role

The Friendship Center’s recent annual report highlights the impact of community support in 2023.

(HELENA, Mont., Apr. 9, 2024) – The Friendship Center served 722 known individuals in 2023. In their recent annual report to the community, they highlighted the breadth of their services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking (DVSA) in the tri-county area.

The Friendship Center fills a unique role as the only agency serving the tri-county area with victim services for those impacted by DVSA. Other than dialing 911, The Friendship Center is the only place a person can call when they are in an immediate crisis resulting from interpersonal violence. In 2023, The Friendship Center received nearly 1,800 calls to their 24/7 crisis line and provided 7,391 services, including legal advocacy, in-hospital response for survivors of sexual assault, safety planning, emotional support, community referrals, and more. They also provided 8,541 nights of shelter to 108 adults and 49 children.

After implementing a new client database and integrated helpline in early 2023, staff have been able to capture accurate data confirming what they knew anecdotally: There is more demand for their services than ever before. With a growing population and greater awareness of these issues, they anticipate the demand to continue rising.

“We know people are experiencing this violence, and no one should have to go through that alone. While some might find these numbers alarming, our staff finds hope in them. It means that people are reaching out for the help they deserve,” said Gina Boesdorfer, Executive Director of The Friendship Center. “We would love nothing more than to achieve our vision of everyone in our community thriving in safe and healthy relationships. Until that happens, The Friendship Center is here as a resource and a light in what can be the darkest times in people’s lives.”

Beyond direct services, The Friendship Center works to interrupt cycles of violence and prevent it from happening in the first place through education.

“We have been welcomed into schools throughout our service area to work with students who are eager to engage in conversations about healthy relationships,” said Boesdorfer. “Everything we talk about and teach applies to both romantic relationships they might be starting to explore as well as friendships and other platonic relationships in their lives. The students inspire so much hope for the future and we are really encouraged by the demand for this program.”

The Friendship Center also advocates for a community free from violence by working with systems-based partners in the criminal justice system and healthcare. Somewhere in each victim’s story is a perpetrator, and The Friendship Center works closely with these partners to hold them accountable.

The Friendship Center’s funding is comprised of grants from government agencies and private foundations as well as contributions from individual donors.

“I cannot overstate how much we value our community’s commitment to our agency,” said Boesdorfer. “Government funding is quite fickle and restrictive in the way it can be used. Each person’s situation is different. Individual contributions keep us nimble and able to respond within the context of each person’s circumstance.”

Visit thefriendshipcenter.org/annualreport23 to see highlights from 2023 and download an infographic summarizing the impact of The Friendship Center’s supporters and partners over the past year. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking, contact The Friendship Center anytime at (406) 442-6800.

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About The Friendship Center

Founded in 1971, The Friendship Center is the community resource for addressing and preventing domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking through advocacy, education, and outreach in Lewis and Clark, Broadwater, and Jefferson counties. Learn more at thefriendshipcenter.org.

Contact:

Kim Patterson, Development Director

(406) 442-6800

kim.p@thefriendshipcenter.org