Artemis House, Victims of Violence Intervention Program, Inc.

Mission

Our mission is, “Providing services to those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault and offering education, advocacy and awareness to the community.”
Our vision is, “Striving for Violence-free Communities”.
Our purpose is, “Your Journey; Our Mission”

What's New

September 2011 Capital Campaign Update
The Victims of Violence Intervention Program, Inc. dba Artemis House is nearing the ground breaking ceremony for their new facility. Executive Director Teri Royer announced the funding for the facility is secured and construction plans are finalalized. The Environmental Review Record is complete, and bids are advertised with a September 29 bid opening.

The John T. Vucurevich Foundation awarded VVIP $425,000 for the facility. The Community Development Block Grant award of $459,000 will be administered by the Black Hills Council of Local Government, Ali DeMersseman, Community Development Planner and Executive Director Blaise Emerson. These two grants combined with the capital campaign efforts will fund the facility.

Jim Haeder collaborated with Royer in the initial design of the 5,555 sq. ft. facility which will accommodate up to 42 clients in the 7 suites, 5 bathrooms, kitchen, dining room, living room, basement for storage, and administrative offices. The current facility will be demolished due to asbestos and a crumbling foundation. It was determined that renovation for the current facility would be cost prohibitive. The new facility will be constructed on the site.

Royer attended several Spearfish city council, public works, legal and finance, and planning and zoning commission meetings, as well as a public hearing. Beginning last August she initially requrested Mayor Krambeck sign on behalf of the City of Spearfish as a sponsor of VVIP's CDBG application for rebuild of our structure. She has since been working with the Mayor, City Council and City Planner Jayna Watson. Royer requested the Spearfish City Council consider a formal
approval for use as a shelter (use permitted on review) and an infill/redevelopment permit, which allowed for a slight increase in lot coverage from 40% to 44%. The City Council approved these requests as well as waiving the use permit on review fee, the building permit fee and dump site fee for construction of our new faciltiy. Royer is very grateful to the City of Spearfish for their support.

Royer and board chair Tammy Silvernagel have been working with Steve Williams, AIA, Williams and Associates Architecture, Inc. on the construction documents, finalizing the plan, lighting layout, power, telephone, internet and cable as well as cabinet design, floor covering, siding, and windows. The site survey, asbestos inspection and geotechnical investigation are completed.

The Governor's Office of Economic Development reviewed the construction plans and bid package to ensure requirements are met. A pre-bid meeting was held on September 14th. Bids will be opened at 1 pm on September 29th. Contact Williams and Associates for information.

Royer stated, "We were so pleased each and every time money for the project came in during the process, and thank everyone for supporting our program. The capital campaign officialy began on November 1st. By December 21st, the John T. Vucurevich Foundation grant was awarded and on April 13th, Governor Dennis Daugaard announced the CDBG application was approved.

We will continue to accept campaign contributions as the project progresses. We are very excited for those we serve, that we will be able to provide a comfortable place for them to call home for a while."

The Artemis House provides shelter to those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault.

Success Stories

A woman came to the shelter for the third time. She was homeless due to domestic violence. This time she was determined to stay free from domestic violence. She continued to go to work, save as much money as possible and heal. She is now looking for an apartment for herself. She has built a support group of friends she can count on and she continues to work.

A young man came to the office with a small child. His wife had sent her cousins to beat him up. He was frightened and embarassed. His story was one like so many we have heard from women. We assisted him to go to the shelter. We assisted him to get a protection order. He was relieved and spent the first few days just playing with his son and healing. We were able to see the change in his appearance as he felt safe and put the pieces of his life back together. He now has a job and has his child in day care. He believes his wife does not know where he is. He feels she will not bother him any longer. He is looking for his own place to live and will be moving as soon as he finds a suitable home.

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