CHI - Mercy Hospital Valley City

Every minute, nearly 20 people in our country on average are physically abused by an intimate partner, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. On a local level, 53 domestic assaults were reported in Valley City in 2014. A goal of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) is to reduce violence in the communities its affiliated hospitals serve. In 2015, CHI awarded funding to seven North Dakota hospitals, including CHI Mercy Health, to work at decreasing incidents of domestic violence. The grant awarded to CHI Mercy Health will provide $133,778 over three years, with the objective of reducing intimate partner violence by 20 percent by 2020. Our approach to helping community members build stable, happy relationships is two-pronged. During phase one, we will provide education at local high schools and college campuses as well as to law enforcement agencies and other organizations about the prevalence of domestic violence. During phase two, we will initiate empowerment training for individuals through the Within My Reach program. "The Within My Reach program was founded on two core beliefs," says Stephanie Mayfield, Foundation/Mission Director at CHI Mercy Health. "First, everyone wants a happy, healthy, and stable relationship. Second, what people do in romantic relationships affects their ability to work, complete their educations, and raise children." The Within My Reach program is designed to boost self-confidence, highlight the warning signs of abusive behavior, and help people make good choices, as well as develop more effective communication, decision- making, and stress-management strategies. All community members can benefit from the workshop and provided education. In particular, however, workshops will be offered to college students for proactive education. "Prevention is key," Stephanie says. "By educating young adults at a time of so much change and growth, we can help set them on the path toward identifying and establishing healthy relationships." Through the 2015 Catholic Health Initiatives Mission & Ministry Fund grant awarded to CHI Mercy Health, six volunteers have completed training to deliver domestic violence education to our community. Mary Lee Nielson, Jacob Olson, and Stephanie Mayfield have completed their training to become domestic violence outreach community educators. In addition, Jacob, Barb Bjorum, and Stephanie Roelfsema have received designation as Within My Reach workshop facilitators. Alana Wendel, Emergency Room Manager at CHI Mercy Health, is also planning to begin training as a Within My Reach workshop facilitator. Domestic violence education for community leaders and law enforcement officials began in May. In the fall, the initiative will expand to local schools and college campuses. Groups interested in holding a domestic violence workshop are welcome to call Stephanie Mayfield at 701-845-6557 to set one up for their organization. Leading the CHARGE Healthy Relationships = Strong Communities Left to right: Alana Wendel, Stephanie Roelfsema, Jacob Olson, Stephanie Mayfield, and Barb Bjorum. Not shown: Mary Lee Nielson. 3 www.mercyhospitalvalleycity.org /// CATHOLIC HEALTH INITIATIVES

• Cover