To the editor:

According to the most recent Domestic Violence Counts Summary, a one-day, unduplicated count of adults and children seeking domestic violence services in the U.S conducted by the National Network to End Domestic Violence, 64,324 domestic violence victims were served in one day nationwide.

In Michigan alone 2,441 victims were served on that same day.

Services included not only shelter but counseling, advocacy and support groups as well. In rural areas like those in the Copper Country, the need of services for domestic violence victims is no less than the rest of the country.

Domestic violence can happen to anyone. Mental, emotional, and psychological abuse can be just as painful and damaging as physical violence. It is a difficult thing to talk about by the victim or the community but acknowledging the signs of abuse is one of the first steps in ending it.

The Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter has been serving needs of victims of domestic violence and their children in Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon County since 1979. Counseling, advocacy, information and referral services are provided for both residents and non-residents along with offering 24 hour shelter every day of the year. Prevention education, as well as intervention services, is offered by the Shelter. Information about the dynamics of domestic violence and services is offered through community education presentations and other information distributed throughout the service area.

Offering these services requires funding from various sources, one of them being our local Copper Country United Way.

The Copper Country United Way provides funding to 14 different agencies which includes the Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter.

As the Copper Country United Way conducts their campaign, please give generously to continue this resource in our community. The money raised in this campaign stays in our community to help support agencies which provide many needed services here.

Emily Newhouse,

Director