July 15, 2015 at 3:50 p.m.
Lily's House shelter nearing completion
Lily's House shelter nearing completion
"Lily dedicated 25 years of service to Tri-County Council and retired at the age of 90," the organization said in a press release. "Her passion and personal mission was to help provide a safe place for victims who needed to flee from a dangerous home and find compassion and understanding, and a way to start over. Tri-County Council is very proud and humbled to be able to carry on Lily's legacy by naming the crisis shelter for her. It is not only an homage to her work, but to the heart and spirit of providing a dignified refuge for those in crisis."
Tri-County Council is a private non-profit 501(c)3 tax exempt organization, supported through state, federal and local grants, county and town governments, and civic, church, business and individual contributions. The agency was started in Vilas County in 1978 and went on to encompass Vilas, Oneida and Forest counties. Besides the main office and shelter in Rhinelander, outreach offices are staffed with full-time advocates in Eagle River and Crandon also. The agency maintains a 24-hour hotline for emergency services for victims of domestic violence or sexual assault, (800) 236-1222.
The organization's executive director, Shellie Holmes, explained that the new philosophy in shelters for victims is "security, not secrecy."
"It is important that the community knows and is aware of the shelter so that they are also the eyes and ears of safety, sending a message to perpetrators of abuse that our community supports victims," she said. Holmes added that the facility will be protected by a state-of-the-art security system.
Holmes and the board of directors have invited the community to view and tour the facility prior to the actual opening of the shelter. Bedrooms, living areas, play areas, quiet areas, offices, and outside areas are available for "adoption" by interested groups or individuals.
"The people - women, men, children and families - who need the shelter services Lily's House provides deserve peace and respect during their time of need. No one chooses to be abused," the release states.
"We are excited to give the community a chance to participate in this wonderful project," Holmes said. "It is our hope that the many community groups and individuals who have been such great supporters over the years will come forward and help furnish our new shelter. We have the basics to make this house safe and secure and now we'd like to invite others to help furnish it to be as beautiful, comfortable and dignified as any of our own homes."
For details and more information, groups or individuals are invited to call the office at (715) 362-6841, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to set up an appointment to tour Lily's House during the month of July. The organization hopes to begin using the shelter as early as Aug. 1.
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