- Our Mission Statement
- Our Philosophy
- Our History
- Our Volunteers
- Dr. Bemmann Honored With Governor's Award/Memorial to a good friend of the DVC
To offer safe shelter and supportive services for every adult and child victim of domestic violence and to engage the community in working toward the strengthening of families and prevention of domestic abuse.
The Manitowoc County Domestic Violence Center (DVC) is a non-profit organization providing supportive responses to people in the Manitowoc County area who are experiencing violence in their lives. Abuse is neither justified nor acceptable under any circumstances.
Abuse can take on many forms including:
- Physical
- Verbal
- Sexual, and
- Emotional
For many survivors, abuse can have a long lasting effect which can be damaging and devastating if left untreated. Realizing that domestic violence has been a way of life for many families for a long time, we seek to break the cycle of family destruction. We dedicated our agency to the belief that " No one deserves to be abused."
In support of that belief, we offer a 24 hour, 7 day a week crisis line, a shelter home for women and their children; supportive counseling services; support groups; financial, legal, and medical advocacy; community education programs; child care; emerggency transportation; follow-up services; and a transitional living program.
One of our most important services is to provide support in a warm, friendly, non-judgmental atmosphere. Each person has the right to decide the next step. We provide information and options for people to make their own decisions.
The Manitowoc County Domestic Violence Center (DVC) was organized in 1977 to help alleviate the problems of domestic abuse. The Mental Health Association's Adult Services Committee on Spousal Abuse was instrumental in providing the groundwork for the formative stages of the agency. Other agencies and organizations involved in the planning and implementation of Manitowoc County's domestic abuse program included: the League of Women Voters, National Organization of Women. Spouses of Recovering Alcoholics. American Association of University Women. Manitowoc Counseling Center, the County Department of Human Services and local clergy.
CETA monies provided the bulk of the funds during the initial two years of existence and covered most of the staff salaries through July 1982. In July 1979, the agency received a Federal Law Enforcement Assistance Administration grant. The DVC became a participating member of the Two Rivers/Mishicot United Way in 1979, and was accepted in 1980 as a member of the Manitowoc United Way. The DVC began receiving money from the State of Wisconsin, Department of Health and Social Services in 1982 and from the County of Manitowoc in 1984.
In May 1980, an emergency shelter facility, donated by the Manitowoc Company, opened for women and children needing a safe haven from abuse. In October 1988, the DVC purchased and remodeled a former convent owned by St. Mary's Catholic Church. Funding to purchase and remodel the building was received through local donations, federal and state grant monies (HUD and WHEDA), First Wisconsin Bank and the West Foundation.
The Domestic Violence Mandatory Arrest Task Force was formed in 1987 with countywide representation from local law enforcement agencies, the court system, probation and parole, the Human Services Department, counseling agencies and the DVC. Through the work of this Task Force, Manitowoc County implemented a mandatory arrest policy on June 1, 1988, nearly one year prior to Wisconsin's statewide mandatory arrest law. This group continues to meet to ensure coordination and cooperation among agencies involved in the community.
Volunteers are essential to the work of the DVC. Every aspect of volunteering is greatly appreciated. There are a variety of activities that you can be involved in at the Domestic Violence Center. The following is a brief description of the primary volunteer needs.
- Child Care Provider: Supervise children in the shelter during support groups and/or on an individual basis so moms can go to appointments or meet with staff.
- Court Legal Advocate: Assist clients with completing the paperwork for restraining orders, accompany clients when they file legal papers, and/or attend injunction hearings at the courthouse.
- Shelter Helper: Assist and interact with residents in shelter as needed. Cook, clean, listen, and various other activities. A staff member is always on duty for assistance.
- Shelter Worker: Assist and interact with residents when staff are not available or extra help is needed. Could also answer the telephone (crisis line); provide supportive telephone counseling.
- Fundraising: Assist with fundraising for agency programs. Food and information booths.
- Community Education: Make various group presentations on domestic violence and the DVC. Presentations may be done individually or by a group. Distribute brochures.
- Clerical: Assist with clerical duties.
- Telephone: Answer phones and respond as needed. This includes the crisis line.
- Transportation: Transport residents as needed using own and/or agency vehicle. Run errands for food, etc.
- Group Assistance: Assist or co-facilitate support groups: women’s, children’s, or mom’s group.
For more information on volunteering, contact us at the DVC 920.684.5770 or email dvc@sbcglobal.net
In December, the board members, staff and many clients of the Domestic Violence Center lost a dear friend and colleague, Dr. Kathryn Bemmann. Dr. Bemmann was born October 29, 1931 in Kellnersville. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1949 and attended Marquette Medical School as one of three women in a class of over 100. She received her M.D. in 1956 and was the only woman to complete the Residence in Psychiatry in 1961 through Marquette and the Milwaukee Sanitarium. In 1958, she married attorney Irving Stewart Bemmann, whom she loved and admired until her death.
Dr. Bemmann’s accomplishments were numerous. She owned and operated a mental health clinic in Waukesha, was President of the American Medical Women’s Association in 1994 and was a founding mother of the Waukesha Women’s Center. Dr. Bemmann returned to Manitowoc in 1995 after the death of her husband. She joined the Board of Directors of the Domestic Violence Center in 1996. As a board member, she brought an enthusiasm and hopefulness which was contagious. Dr. Bemmann was profoundly generous with her knowledge, time, money and most importantly, her wisdom. She was an active member of the Fundraising, Community Relations and Nominating Committees. She recruited many members of the current Board with incredible judgment of character and devotion. With Dr. Bemmann as Chairperson of the Transitional Living Campaign, the Domestic Violence Center was successful in acquiring property and developing a self-supporting Transitional Living Program within one year.
Dr. Bemmann understood domestic abuse and its effects on women and frequently referred women to the DVC. She was always willing to help the DVC staff in difficult situations. A measure of her concern for victims of domestic abuse and her willingness to give was her offer to share her home with a client if needed. Her confidence and commitment to push forward inspired others to do the same. Her professionalism, knowledge, experience and compassion changed the nature of the Domestic Violence Center forever. She will live on in the work that we do and the work that we do will be more wonderful because of her time with us.
Dr. Kathryn C. Bemmann was selected as a recipient of the 2001 Governor's Council on Domestic Abuse Award. Dr. Bemmann devoted her entire life and medical career to addressing the issues of domestic violence in relation to women.
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Contact Information:
Manitowoc County Domestic Violence Center
1127 S. 22nd. St, Manitowoc, WI 54220
Crisis Line: 920-684-5770 or 1-877-275-6888
Business: 920-684-4661 Fax: 920-684-6344