Womens Center of Mid Minnesota — Local services in Brainerd

This shelter changed me and my children's lives. Th sky is the limit because of the endless amount of support and care provided by the advocates and amazing people that work here. We came from the metro area and began our new life here. The staff gave me time to rest upon arrival, we had tattered clothing and were exhausted from leaving a terrible situation. We were fed and offered warmth which is why we began to arise from our "slumber" The community loves this shelter, it couldn't be more clear by the amount of love people have by dropping off endless amounts of donations for the women and children, our entire wardrobe was restored as well as some housewares and shoes for myself and the kids. The staff cheer you on while you reach new heights. I stayed here for six weeks and was able to attain housing immediately, all paid for by different partnerships. They helped me with different areas of my life and if I ever needed someone to talk to none of the advocates ever turned me away. In order to succeed here you have to fill out all paperwork for programs and search for ones on your own, I was never turned away even with a prior eviction on my housing record. If the kids were sick they gave us rides to the clinic and picked us up when we called. The rooms are nice and clean and the staff deep clean everything after a client leaves. The DV group offered changed my entire perspective after attending and I found new strength and hope in myself, this place is God's hidden treasure. Please do not turn away from this amazing place due to bad reviews. I am now a proud member of the chamber of commerce right alongside this business and I have found resilience and courage to break free from an abusive relationship. May God continue blessing this shelter and all the people that work hard at keeping women and children safe. You were our answered prayers. We love you...

I have been receiving services from here for well over a year now on and off. At which point me and my son had to reside here for a period of 4 months. This is an asset to women and families. Like anything, you get what you put in. And when all seems hopeless they are there to accommodate you through every struggle every accomplishment just anything. I know that individuals can come from very difficult and painful situations but this is a SAFE place. I have at times felt more safe and relaxed with their building than at home. And that’s ok that’s why they are there. I’ve seen some individuals take advantage of space and resources they offer and more often than not they are there the ones struggling with the change that needs to occur within them. Bad attitudes will hinder any positive experience too.

After being in my own home now for 6 months I continue to stop there for emotional support, resources, and just to maintain the relationships I have formed with some very solid staff of women there.

They truly cared for me and my children in every situation...

The lead advocate had active shingles and came to work every day. She never wore a mask and when she told the weekly group that I attended, she said that it wasn’t contagious if we didn’t come in direct contact with it. I left the group that day and I called the next day and spoke with her supervisor. I reported to the supervisor that shingles were highly contagious and nothing was done. When I went back to group the next week, I wore a mask. A couple weeks later, the lead advocate called me at home and told me not to come back to group. Someone should close the doors permanently to this place. It’s a joke. While going to a weekly group for over a year, I watched women that needed help get nothing. It was terrible. What I witnessed, women used it to get low income housing vouchers. That’s...