Five community members awarded for service
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RONAN — When victims of domestic violence and abuse embark upon the road to recovery, there are a few dedicated individuals who go above and beyond to make sure the victims’ immediate and long term needs are met. Safe Harbor, a domestic violence and abuse organization in Ronan, awarded five community members with a lunch at Ninepipe Lodge and pins for their outstanding service to the community. The celebration coincided with National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
“They have set the bar for others by modeling behavior as exemplary as testified by their peers. All of these individuals were nominated by co-workers or clients,” said Dana Grant of Safe Harbor. “It’s really about who are the heroes in our community? Sometimes heroes go unsung. No one knows all the good deeds that they’ve done. It’s a good way to honor some of those heroes that we feel have done something really special that involves their work around domestic violence or sexual issues.”
Awardees included Judith Bromley, who helped Safe Harbor merge with DOVES, another domestic violence organization.
“She was thrust into a position with a lot of extra expectations,” Grant said. “She really rose to meet those expectations. There were some financial issues that her board wasn’t able to take care of and she was able to take care of that.”
Dr. Paul Gochis was also recognized but was not at the luncheon.
“He came to our attention through some of the clients that he’s worked with and also some of our clients,” Grant said. “In the last year we had an unusually high number of young mothers or pregnant mothers to be. When we were working with them, he was there in many instances and so often with our clients there are all sorts of fears about their family, about how they will be judged, about how others will see them, about how it feel when they go back to a relationship. He was never judgmental.”
Shara Giles, secretary at Arlee Elementary, was awarded also.
“People kept talking about her openness and her willingness to help people find solutions,” Grant said. “She was willing to be educated and take the time to understand the system and understand what options are available. That’s so important, especially because across the reservation in these smaller communities, there’s a disconnect between getting services sometimes. Yes, Arlee’s not that far from Missoula and not that far from other places, but if you live there and it’s pretty rural how do you get help? How do you find the right person? One of the right people is (Shara).”
Tribal police officer Don Bell was awarded for his work, and for gaining the trust of people who may not always put their faith in law enforcement.
“For a lot of victims, the law enforcement part is a very scary piece, because maybe they’ve had a bad experience before,” Grant said. “There are all these mixed feelings. Working with law enforcement can be super challenging. They have their job and are focused on it and it doesn’t always coincide with taking care of the victim. Don is able to follow his course as his law officer and work with them in a way that reassures them so they think that the system might work for them. Don is able to make that connection with the client.”
Shelley Otoupalik, a nurse practitioner at St. Joe’s, was awarded for always being receptive to those in need “day or night,” Grant said.
“A lot of times, the situations that are being dealt with domestic violence take place at night,” Grant said. “It might be the middle of the night. It’s not necessarily a time everyone’s at their best. Sometimes advocates don’t get there immediately. Shelley and her crew are the ones that are really there. She is so compassionate and so healing in her process. She truly exemplifies the idea of a health professional or doctor or nurse.”
Marlene Heath, an advocate of the tribal Victim Assistance Program was awarded for her “tireless” work with domestic abuse victims. Heath works with victims who are in the later stages of rebuilding their lives.
“Later in the process when they are trying to find their own place in the world and reestablish themselves they might have no job, no money,” Grant said. “It’s really hard to find a place, plus they are trying to work through all they’ve been through. She is one of those people who really helps people sort it out.
She is very determined to help them. She’s not going to let them get too caught up, she’s going to help them stay on track.”
