Jessica Jinsky, Program Services Manager with Wisconsin Rapids Family Center, stopped by WFHR studios for an interview on Mid-Day Magazine.
By Laura Bergh
The interview opened up with some recognition that this is an uncomfortable subject. Host James J. Malouf expressed the importance of enduring these conversations despite the discomfort. Often the perpetrators of domestic violence hide in those silent moments where people choose not to endure uncomfortable conversations. In order to make a change in our society around this issue, a big step is talking about it more openly.
Jinsky then shared some statistics regarding Domestic violence in Wisconsin. Last year 85 people were victims of domestic violence. Placing Wisconsin 6th in the nation for cases such as these. Statistically everyone knows at least one person who is or has been a victim of domestic violence. Individuals and families fleeing domestic violence often have no safe place to go, or seek assistance. That is the mission of the Family Center. To learn more, visit their website here.
The Family Center began its operations in 1984 as a grassroots organization with one simple 5 bedroom shelter home. The home was staffed around the clock by volunteers to help care for the families there. The current shelter home was built in 2004, and is still in use today. The new shelter has 6 rooms, each with their own private bathrooms, two shared living rooms, shared dining rooms, and other shared spaces. Through an “Adopt-a-Room” project, which allowed donors to finance the remodeling of entire rooms in the shelter, the entire shelter has been remodeled as of 2023! To check out the update photos of the shelter you can visit their website or click here.
Jinsky and Malouf then discussed the importance of considering these organizations in the voting booth. As a result of government oversight the Family Center in Wisconsin Rapids is running its operations with $400,000 less in funding than the previous year. Being on the board of the Family Center himself, Malouf emphasized that the people working there are the ones sacrificing, not those in need of help. The employees of the Family Center have cut their own wages, and hours to make up as much of that loss as they could. These are people who are a safety net for the community, and shouldn’t have to sacrifice themselves like this, yet are. They both expressed gratitude for the support provided by the community to keep this shelter running. If you would like to help you can visit their donation page here.
Wisconsin Rapids Family Center is “Painting the Town Purple” for October, which is domestic violence awareness month. Several local businesses are taking part, they have painted storefronts purple, or ask employees to wear purple. Support of those businesses is a show of support for victims. Malouf then made a point to encourage other business owners to step up in support of this important cause.
The Family Center of Wisconsin Rapids will be holding a vigil for victims of domestic violence. This year it will be held at Wisconsin Rapids Community Theatre on October 24th at 6:00 PM. They hold this vigil annually, and this year’s theme is “Heal, Hold, and Center” they are using it as a reminder to help to “heal” survivors, to “hold” space for them, and to “center” those most vulnerable. This is a free event to attend, and will also feature presentations of appreciation towards certain vital contributors. To learn more about this event you can visit their website, by clicking here.
To listen to the Mid-Day Magazine interview with Jessica Jinsky in full you can visit our website, or click this link here.
