INSPIRATION FOR THIS POST:

In the last comment I had originally simply noticed a Minnesota Member of the SVN board and how many of the board members are, habitually, acting the same — their social sphere is court-connected nonprofits and/or government or (more frequently) both at the same time, or in fast sequence.

My intention had been to simply show this to a group up in Minnesota, not that I expect it’ll produce a change of heart or tactics.

Then I brought the same comment down here, and posted it. I also spent at least two hours looking (again) at an industry which overlaps and parallels some of the practices of the Supervised Visitation Industry –and that’s the Prison Industry and all its components. Essentially, our tremendous, geographically varied, multi-climate, multicultural, 3,000-mile wide (California to New York/New Jersey/ etc., or if you will, in reverse, Atlantic to Pacific) plus Hawaii plus Alaska plus territories COUNTRY — is essentially beoming one giant system of networked control for the purpose of commerce – in people who need to be re-trained.

If the system weren’t kicking out generation after generation of the abused and oppressed to start with (the “huddled masses” of fame who were welcomed to the USA for refuge from oppression and famine and genocidal or religious wars elsewhere) — these businesses and the under-educated, over-entitled individuals working in them, would be out of a government-sponsored job!

In other words, we probably would’ve figured out (more locally) ways to handle out own issues without all this. It wouldn’t be ideal — but then again it just not might be perpetuating slavery and violence bordering on extinguishing entire sectors of society as independent species — like mothers without fathers in the home, or creative thinkers who don’t want to create more efficient weapons and means of monitoring their neighbors.

Not to pick on a single person (Dorie Twist) from Hennepin County, Minnesota — but she’s sitting on the SVN Board (or was), so I figure that’s fair game for any member of the public who knows it exists. However, with some apologies for picking on someone probably not equipped stand up without her affiliates and associates to justify this behavior on her own. I did a “quick-check” on the related organization, only to find a fake corporation name (it only existed for one year) but that the same agency is (1) still going strong enough; (2) that, as we have come to understand, to flee domestic violence to a shelter means, literally, to engage with a fatherhood-funded and definitely pro-father nonprofit and agency: this one is a central hub for their region, looks like; and (3) there have been corporate shape-shifting name-games which seem characteristic of the field.

This proud executive director had a gap in her linkedIn page during the 1990s. It eventually surfaces that she was a GAL during this time. The extensive academic qualifications eem to include (all that I could see) 3 years of accounting 1980-1983 in Hennepin Technical College (“About Us” page actually has the following quote. The school seems to have developed as an extension of local school districts and grown upwards towards post-secondary….

FOUNDED IN 1972
Hennepin Technical College (HTC) was built to fulfill an employment gap. There was a need to supply a skilled workforce to a growing community. Today, the need for highly trained employees with hands-on experience has never been greater. HTC is the right choice when bridging people and jobs.

This is not a liberal arts education encouraging diversity of ideas, writing skills (which helps with understanding of ideas), or broadened spiritual or personal horizons. It’s training for specific occupations, apparently mostly in government. This is who is running an organization whose purposes cross some of the most challenging spiritual, personal, religious and all other categories of life — the breakup of parents around issues of violence by one towards the other, with kids… However, if the handling of these situations are simply modeled on a pre-fab model, then all it requires is training in and access to the model, to operate it — which is what supervised visitation as a CONCEPT (as well as Batterers Intervention, etc. etc.) are based on. The TRAINING of humanity according to purchased models, paid for in part by the public, and based on theories which APPARENTLY don’t work. (The business part does, just not the stopping-the-violence part).

It would seem that titles like “Executive Director” and writing grants applications, plus bonding with fathers’ groups, appears to give someone a sense of power, importance, and place in the world which might not be obtained in fair competition with non grants-grabbing corporations, or individuals.

[details on this particular Board Member/Service Agencies (the QuickFactChecks) are on the section on similar color, below. I felt it appropriate to remind us about some of the larger fiscal players in the same state, and that this influence is felt throughout the state, including on the smaller ones.

SVN Board listing (good idea to scan who’s on it this year…)

Ms. Twist of Alexandria, MN:

As Executive Director of Wings Family Supportive Services, her many accomplishments have included:

Created and implemented the agency’s (=that Nonprofit’s) first advanced statistical database for collecting victim services. Database has been in place since 1999. Worked with other crisis centers in Minnesota helping them incorporate our statistical tracking and database system for their own use.

Developed and coordinated Hope Connection Safety Center in 2000. Instrumental in writing the United Way, Initiative Foundation, and Blanden Foundation start up grants. Managed the center through very limited funding and developed it into a very well known, full to capacity, visitation center program in center rural Minnesota.

Prepared budget proposal and assist with writing of the federal grant, “Arrest Program, How to Hold Offenders Accountable.” Hands of Hope Resource Center was one of two grant recipients in Minnesota to receive this OVW (Office of Violence against Women) federal grant. Attended and Certified at the Office of Justice Financial Management Training in Washington D.C.

Active participant in perusing legislative funding changes for Visitation Centers across Minnesota. Recently testified on behalf of Hope Connection Safety Center at the House of Representatives hearing on the importance of visitation centers being funded.

I looked at LINKEDIN (not full profile) which shows some work and education history. We can see three years of accounting (1980-1983) at “Hennipen Technical College” (a misspelling of the county name which includes Minneapolis; it’s “Henn-e-PIN” and not “Henn-i-PEN”), and after about 1999, its’ pretty well government sponsored centers. Hopefully the math is better.

(in reverse order of course):

Current
Office Manager at Thawzall, LLC [[makes heaters, I believe]
Chaplain’s Assistant at Central Minnesota Chaplaincy

Past
Owner at Dorie’s Miniature Schnauzers
Executive Director at Wings Family Supportive Services
Assistant Director at Hands of Hope Resource Center

Education
Hennipen Technical College
Hopkins High School

Connections
51 connections

Websites
Company Website
Dorie Twist’s Experience

Office Manager
Thawzall, LLC
March 2013 – Present (4 months) Alexandria, MN

Chaplain’s Assistant
Central Minnesota Chaplaincy
November 2012 – Present (8 months) Todd County Sheriff’s Department

Owner
Dorie’s Miniature Schnauzers
2011 – 2013 (2 years)

Executive Director
Wings Family Supportive Services
January 2007 – October 2012 (5 years 10 months)

Assistant Director
Hands of Hope Resource Center
December 1999 – January 2007 (7 years 2 months) Little Falls, Minnesota

OK, first of all, the SVN page references “Wings Family Supportive Services.” I also note that in the providers list, the same name has an inactive link, to “Alexandria Young Professionals” website.

MINNESOTA BUSINESS ENTITY SEARCH HERE ON THAT NAME show that it was filed as an Assumed Name for a certain individual (not corporation) on 11/13/2007, and was “Cancelled” on 2/27/2008 – it is now “Inactive.” The owner is listed as “Kristin Sievert, 708 East 7th Street, Starbuck, MN 56381” which was also its principal place of business… Interesting, but not atypical for the field… That address belongs to (at least) a Bed & Breakfast called “Inn In The Pines” which assumed business name was filed on 11/28/2007 and is still active.

Kristin E. Sievert’s linkedin self-summary:

Kristin Sievert’s Summary

I like a challenge. No, I thrive on a challenge. I do grant budgets first because they’re the most fun.

I have had a wide range of jobs. Some I have liked, some I have loved, and some have been solely a learning curve. The best ones, have been the ones that have made me learn, think and take chances at the same time.

I haven’t found the job that is everything I want. Ideally, it’s in the non-profit realm. My goal would be to work myself out of a job. Give me dollars and data to play with, without the drama that all too often accompanies it.

Let’s use creative and out of the box thinking to encourage someone to change their own life. Let’s make imaginative use of resources to benefit everyone who is willing to try. Let’s see what’s possible if you are brave enough to ask and answer the hard questions.

Kristin Sievert’s Experience

Supply & Shipment
Bath and Body Works
Public Company; 10,001+ employees; LTD; Retail industry
November 2007 – Present (5 years 8 months) Alexandria, MN

Working on my 6th holiday season at BBW. Love the products so it’s very easy to sell!

Owner
Inn in the Pines
May 2001 – January 2012 (10 years 9 months) Starbuck

Small, comfortable bed and breakfast.

So, since “Wings Family Supportive Services” as an active business name in Minnesota, does NOT exist, apparently — then who are these people doing business with it, and to and in its name?

Here’s some press, with my interjected commentary.

Published March 02, 2012, 12:00 AM, in Echo Press
Wings Family Supportive Services receives ‘Agency of the Year’ award**

[[**From Minnesota Fathers and Families Network!!]]

Kimberly has two dads and she is grateful for the part they played in her life as a child. When Kimberly was 4 years old, her mother divorced her father and was remarried. Both fathers were very present in the care of her,*** according to Dorie Twist, executive director of Wings Family Supportive Services in Alexandria.

[[***Kimberly, while 4, didn’t record her words for the press. Apparently her four-year old, or older self, was not available for interview, or a direct (sourced) quote. The SVN provider will speak for her in absence of some real quotes, evidence, or independently verifiable information that the statement is at all true, or even believable. THis is the last time “Kimberly” is mentioned in the article anyhow.]]

…
“Research has found** that children that have active and involved fathers in their lives are more successful in school and less likely to drop out, are more self-confident with their respective male or female identities, are less susceptible to peer pressure, and less likely to get in trouble with the law,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be a biological dad; it can be anyone in that male role.”##

[[**like the statement about Kimberly, this also isn’t worth citing — it’s hearsay to the readers. But because the person is an “Executive Director” of something, that makes it more noteworthy.
##Oh– so it’s not about parenting at all — it’s about gender after all?? So long as there’s someone in the MALE role. But I thought this was all about preserving Families! (watch next sentences — then it goes back to being about “parents” which by presumption MIGHT include a female one, although the word “mother” is also not mentioned after the opening soundbite, Kimberly’s mother remarried….”]]

Wings Family Supportive Services believes that it is a child’s right to have a relationship with both parents. It strives to foster positive parenting techniques with parents that will allow children a healthy and secure childhood.

It’s those kinds of efforts that earned Wings Family Supportive Services statewide recognition.
[[Not it’s not — it’s because the field it’s in has been widely networked, federally supported, lobbied for, and much, much more — in Minnesota and internationally.]]

The Minnesota Fathers and Families Network (MFFN) presented Wings with its “Agency of the Year” award during MFFN’s annual summit on January 23-24.

Wings Family Supportive Services is an active member of MFFN. The mission of MFFN is to enhance healthy father-child and family relationships by promoting initiatives that inform public policy and further develop the field of fatherhood practitioners statewide.

For more information on MFFN, visit the website at http://www.mnfathers.org.

The Father’s Resource Program works to promote healthy fatherhood. Its primary goals include:
[[yada, yada, yada, the usual routine…]]
In addition to the Wing’s Father’s Resource program, Wing’s Family Supportive Services also has a transitional housing program for single mothers and children who are in need of housing due to domestic violence and homelessness,** PLUS Kids Parenting Time Center, and Child and Youth Services are available to parents and children of the area who are in need of services.

**
Mothers are hereby alerted that should they flee domestic violence from the fathers of their chidlren, to the point they actually have to end up in a battered woman’s shelter and file for a protective order, they are apt any more to be doing so through an agency which has been centralized to provide fatherhood resoruces, and which believes that it’s bad for kids to separate from their fathers…

Here’s the same agency (nonprofit grantee) “a href=”http://www2.mnbar.org/barfoundation/Meeting%20Notices/031513/Wings%20Family%20Supportive%20Services%20Inc%20Grant%20Application.pdf”>requesting (and getting) a $3,000 grant from the Minnesota Bar Foundation, 2013. It describes itself as a the hub for FATHERHOOD programs in the West Central Regional Area, and more. Worth reading for a “how it works” headsup.

However, as I haVE NOTED ABOVE, “WINGS FAMILY SUPPORTIVE SERVICES” doesn’t actually exist (legally that is — it would appear from the state business search entity. All disclaimers (including my responsiblity for any action a reader takes on this without checking beyond the source I checked!!).

So who is the money going to?

Another article from the Echo Press, and we see that Ms. Dorie Twist (with her 3 eyars of accounting from Hennepin Technical College) besides being a fathers’ rights groupie (if that’s not obvious, keep reading) is also a woman who has functioned as a GAL. Is that relevant? You Betcha. However, I notice the name she’s now associated with is instead “Wings in Alexandria” and that the consolidation and centralization of STATEWIDE services to fathers has begun. Centralization sure helps with control, doesn’t it?

That’s life in the USA, where we have government of, for, and by the people. (Some people, that is…) Pay close attention to this press release posing as responsible investigative reporting by a journalism major, in the Echo Press again

Fatherly advice: Alexandria program offers parental guidance in West Central region

by Crystal Dey (Sept. 14, 2012, the Echo Press)

When one door closes, another opens. In this case, the open door will help fathers be a bigger part of their children’s lives.

They’ll have access to assistance with visitation mediation and advice on legal issues involving parenthood and child support procedures.

Wings in Alexandria has preserved the Otter Tail County Father’s Project by consolidating the program with the non-profit organization’s existing Father’s Support program and creating the West Central Father’s Resource Project. The service previously provided in Otter Tail County has been discontinued.

While Wings intends to continue serving fathers statewide, and existing clients, the primary benefactors of the new program’s services will be men in Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Todd, Traverse, Wadena and Wilkin counties. If a father is a resident of one of the 11 counties, or if a case involving his child originated in one of the counties, a father can use the resource.

However, Wings Father’s Program Coordinator Mike Klein said the program is always open to other counties and that it truly has been a statewide initiative. “We’re not going to close doors to current clients,” Klein said. “If the 11 counties are a success, we could expand.”

THE FATHER’S PROGRAM

In 2008, Wings created a father’s program that primarily served Douglas County. The project was piloted by Wings Executive Director Dorie Twist, who had observed the complexities fathers were having in the courts. Twist was a guardian ad litem for children’s interests in the 1990s.**

**(this explains the gap in her LinkedIn profile, above, which I was wondering about. Also notice, not on the same profile is that she is board of directors of SVN!! To be a GAL generally speaking can employ, is working as a public employee, or contracting directly with the courts.)

In the 1980s and 1990s, the responsible fatherhood movement began in the U.S. The movement sought to overcome barriers of income, race and politics; it has grown into educational and social service programs. In 1991, the first fathers’ resource center opened its doors in Minneapolis.

Wings aims to enhance the services it offers currently and sustain the program despite decreasing grant revenues. Funding for the program will come from contractual agreements with social service departments in individual counties and from private entities.

The Otto Bremer Foundation has given Wings a $70,000 grant to be used over two years. The United Way has also made contributions, Twist said.

The Father’s Resource Project is a support advocacy program; a place for fathers to turn when they have questions about how to proceed with establishing recognition of parenthood, visitation rights, child support issues and mediation when a peaceable relationship does not exist between the father and mother of a child.

“In some instances it is overwhelming,” Klein said.

PARENTAL RIGHTS

Oftentimes, fathers don’t know that establishing paternity is not the same as guaranteeing parental rights. Recognition of parenthood gives a father – or mother – the right to ask for his or her rights. Minnesota state statute requires that a request be made for visitation, Klein said. Although the program is targeting men, women are invited to use the service as well.

Klein said the program guides fathers through the legal process and explains the why and how questions that arise with procedures. Usually, a father goes through the court process representing himself, and needs support and advice. Klein added that it can take anywhere from six months up to years before a father’s rights are granted.

Additionally, payment or non-payment of child support is not a reason to – or not to – have visitation, Klein said. Aside from word-of-mouth exposure, Wings relies on child support agencies, social services and legal services offices to make referrals and let people know such services are available through Wings.

A FATHER’S INFLUENCE

Statistics have shown that a father’s involvement in a child’s life helps prevent behavioral deviancies such as delinquency, substance abuse, truancy and depression. In correlation with the relationship, a father who is more active in a child’s life is more apt to pay child support.

Lower income fathers generally place a higher emphasis on active parenting behaviors such as time spent with a child, playtime and monitoring the child’s well-being.
“It’s really about what’s in the child’s best interest,” Twist said.

A co-parenting relationship is needed between the child’s parents to cultivate a healthy environment in which to grow; the Father’s Resource Project aids in developing this bond.

Klein said it is the father’s duty to help the mother be the best mother she can be for the children.** The Father’s Program provides neutral territory for exchange of a child between mother and father.

“There is a huge need for supervised visitation,” Klein said.

Also, after time, the relationship between father and child needs to be rebuilt. Visitation centers help with the transition. [[etc. etc.]]

***Translation: Men who require supervision to see their own kids are supposed to help Moms be better mothers??? At what public cost for this concept??

2011, in the same periodical, here’s Dorie Twist being quoted yet again about homeless program under Wings Family Supportive Services (which business name hasn’t existed in MN since 2008), this time it’s getting a HUD grant of $42K. For someone with so little (identified, at least) education — she’s getting a LOT of press.

Remind me not to worry about MY kid that had to sacrifice a decent college education to get away from family (or origin, in this case) abuse and violence after being dumped by her Dad, who managed (thanks to this fatherhood rhetoric, and some funding seems like) get her away from her nonabusive MOM completely.

My kid can go into government (drop her conscience off at the door, or course) and make a really good living taking names, taking donations, and telling lies about who her business is and concealing what it actually does….Sure beats legally (and illegally as to taxes) stealing from taxpayers in the name of the public good to living a life of REAL crime, whatever that is…

While most people slumber comfortably on a plump mattress in a quiet room surrounded by four walls, some women and their children are sleeping in cars to avoid domestic violence.

Today, an estimated 35 families in Douglas County are escaping or transitioning from violent homes, according to Executive Director Dorie Twist of Wings Family Supportive Services, Inc. in Alexandria.

Their painful experiences are often hidden from others, but the trauma and threat of future violence remain.

In response to a growing need, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan recently awarded Wings Family Supportive Services a two-year grant for $42,519.

The funds will go toward Wings’ Supportive Housing Program that will provide two or three apartments for permanent housing to families fleeing domestic violence with a disabled family member.
. . . .
“We do not have any other places to send them to,” she said.

Many times, people want to blame victims instead of focusing on the actions of violent offenders.

The reasons women stay in these relationships are complicated and numerous. When the women feel they have nowhere else to live, their choices are limited, she said.

[[**yes, particularly as family courts won’t let them leave half the time, and insist on co-parenting as the norm…see OTHER articles citing Dorie Twist, same newspaper…]]
…
“We have a lot of good things in our community,” Twist said.

The United Communities Advocating Non-violence (UCAN) committee in Alexandria works on domestic violence prevention, Twist said.

Unbelievably, I DID easily find an organization and EIN for UCAN (if not a tax return). IRS Select Exempt Check:

51-0557811 United Communities Advocating Non-Violence Inc. Alexandria MN United States PC

While there, turns out WINGS does have an EIN:
41-1712692 Wings Family Supportive Services Inc. Alexandria MN United States PC

Trying to actually locate this organization, BY NAME, I failed (other than in press releases). I also see no active website, although it’s supposedly coordinating statewide father’s services and getting money to do so from the Minnesota Bar Foundation… (maybe I should go read a tax return?). I then looked at the street address, didn’t come up with much more, except a “CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION COUNCIL.”

There is an AlexandriaMN.org business chamber of commerce, with a listing of this group “since 1999” (interesting — how could a business whose name didn’t exist until 2007 have been a member of the chamber of commerce since 1999? Oh — I forgot the real assumed name of 2007 was in Starbuck, MN…) However its web link is broken. The name is “Wing’s” not ‘Wings’ in this listing, and associated with “Mikkel Anderson”

Wing’s Family Supportive Services
1417 S Broadway St.
Alexandria, MN 56308 | map | directions
Mikkel Anderson
(320) 763-6638 | fax: (320) 763-6639
Visit Site

Having located an EIN# (which is where — serves me right — I should’ve started with “WINGS”) I then went to foundation finder and found a rather unusual search results by this EIN# above: At least as to that database (which labeling may not m atch the actual returns) listing — the group WINGS didn’t exist under its own names until 2011. However, a closer look at their tax returns may tell:

(i’m getting real tired of making tables and have removed two columns on this one. If you want to see the search results, here’s the link to search (by EIN, in this case!)

ORGANIZATION NAME STATE YEAR TOTAL ASSETS EIN
Wings Family Supportive Services MN 2012 $514,740.15 41-1712692
Wings Family Supportive Services MN 2011 $506,705.86 41-1712692
Listening Ear Crisis Center Project MN $552,665.4 41-1712692
Listening Ear Crisis Center Project MN $601,778.17 41-1712692
Listening Ear Crisis Center Project MN $676,836.38 41-1712692
Listening Ear Crisis Center Project MN $841,776.31 41-1712692
Listening Ear Crisis Center Project Inc. MN $1,094,383 41-1712692
Listening Ear Crisis Center Project Inc. MN $1,089,983 41-1712692
Listening Ear Crisis Center Project Inc. MN $1,067,246 41-1712692
Listening Ear Crisis Center Project Inc. MN $959,074 41-1712692

Couldn’t find corporate records, but a website claims it’s the oldest all-volunteer crisis center in the nation; http://theear.org/ — since 1969. there is a link for Sexual Assault (none for Domestic Violence).

I feel like posting these EINs to see where money’s coming from and going to. I’m also curious when Ms. Twist got involved. However, as early as 2002, we can see the Kids Exchange Center was involved:
You can see the dates (200306) towards the end of each “URL before “_990.pdf”

http://990s.foundationcenter.org/990_pdf_archive/411/411712692/411712692_200306_990.pdf

http://990s.foundationcenter.org/990_pdf_archive/411/411712692/411712692_200406_990.pdf

http://990s.foundationcenter.org/990_pdf_archive/411/411712692/411712692_201206_990.pdf
That’s the 2011 year tax return (year displayed is tax return year + 1). We can see by now it is producing $19K of “program service revenue” while continuing to take in contributions and ca. $467K of gov’t grants.

I’d like to note how (as of 2011) the Program Service Accomplishments are expenditured:
$160K FOR AN 8-UNIT HOUSING COMPLEX FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN LEAVING VIOLENCE, AND SERVICES.

$96K FOR SUPERVISED VISITATION AND EXCHANGE SERVICES SO THE KIDS CAN SEE THEIR EX-BATTERERS.

$30K for FATHERS’ SERVICES.

$19K for “other” (See schedule O)

On this one, the Executive Director “Dora Lee Twist” is working 40 hrs/week for a modest $46K.

I also see that it IS listed as a MN charity on the OAG website. I still don’t know why it’s NOT listed as a business…

Organization Name WINGS FAMILY SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, INC.
Organization Type CHARITY
Contact Person ATTN MIKE ANDERSON
Address 1417 BROADWAY STREET
City ALEXANDRIA
State MN
Zip Code 56308-
IRS Code 501(c) 03
Purpose or Description Provides a variety of direct advocacy & support services to victims of sexual assault, battering & general crime.
Phone Number (320) 760-2393
Status ACTIVE
Extension None

And you can even look up the past 3 years of basic financial stats. Here’s YE 6/2009:
(for better view, see link above):

Organization Name WINGS FAMILY SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, INC.
Federal ID# 411712692
For Fiscal Year Ending 6/30/2009
Income
Direct Public Support $170,140
Government Grants $56,961
Other Revenue $43,418
Total Revenue $270,519
 
Expenses
Amount Spent for Program or Charitable Purposes $322,389
Management/General Expense $20,893
Fundraising Expense $1,651
Total Expenses $344,933
 
Excess/Deficit $-74,414
Total Assets $601,778
Total Liabilities $54,980
End of Year Fund Bal/Net Worth

The corresponding 990 is here — and doesn’t separate “government grants” from others. It’s signed by Ms. Twist. I notice they have the same three categories of program services — and that the 990finder database has it listed under the wrong program name (i.e., “Listening Ear”). Whassup with that?
The program is operating at a multiple-thousand-dollar deficit, however as the nonprofit is (as many do) consistently accumulating assets, it still had $601K left.

The Directors on this return showed as:
Andria Garcia, Diane Lehn, Scott Formo, Ellareain Butler, Chris Huether, Jeanne Frederick (Bd Chair) David Godding, Teri Brandt Doralee Twist ($45K). Government Grants were $56, and Travel, about $7K. Essentially, the goverment grants are paying this fatherhood advocate’s (which Ms. Twist obviously is; see press release articles above) salary and someone’s travel expenses (possibly to conference?).

Also 4th program category of “other” is now $33K and is basically, looks like, informational.

The biggest question I woudl want answered, if this were my area, is the corporate name mixups — why is this name not listed as valid in the state of Minnesota except for 2007-2008? How can an organization of this size be legitimate as a charity, but not operate legally as a corporation, when it owns property and receives federal grants?

Most offensive, in my opinion, is the blatant combination of transitional shelters for DV victims with children — and a clear fatherhood slant and program approach, in their other materials. The type of men most likely to profit from such programs are those who most likely drove the women and children into the shelter to start with.

NOTE: In the same “linkedIn” before the Wings Supportive Family Services, Ms. Twist (now on Board of the SVN.org state-skipping nonprofit organization) lists “Hands of Hope Resource Center.” I found the address under a little falls (Chamber of commerce) listing as a “CIVIC ORGANIZATION” as follows:

Hands of Hope
Stephenie Och
107 2nd Street SE
Little Falls, MN 56345
(320) NNN-NNNN

Hands of Hope Resource Center
Charles Hempeck
107 2nd Street SE
PO Box 67
Little Falls, MN 56345

Please notice the address — this is the address of the Morrison COunty (MN) Courthouse!
http://www.placeography.org/index.php/Morrison_County_Courthouse,_107_Second_Street_Southeast,_Little_Falls,_Minnesota

This lists some articles on it, including a 2003 one noting their budget was being cut, and they’d been collecting cell phones and used printer cartridges to raise money. Someone should’ve cut DAIP’s budget (or, rather MPDI, above), that is, if this shelter actually helps victims.

Little Falls center that helps abuse victims finds unique way to raise funds
Posted: Wednesday, December 10, 2003
JODIE TWEED
Staff Writer
Collecting pop cans or soup labels may be ways for a few organizations to make extra money.

But a central Minnesota agency that provides support services to victims of sexual assault, domestic abuse and other crimes has found an interesting way to raise much needed funds after being hit by state budget cuts — by collecting used cell phones and empty printer cartridges.

However, Hands of Hope Resource Center based in Little Falls and Long Prairie has a tough road ahead, despite the center’s best efforts.

The center is anticipating a potential $190,000 loss starting with the 2004 fiscal year in June, said Kim Gruber, Hands of Hope domestic violence and intervention coordinator. That’s nearly half of the center’s $400,000 annual budget. This is attributed to a projected $51,000-$55,000 loss in state funding for the resource center and a few large federal, state and county grants previously awarded to the center that are ending in June as a result of budget cuts. They will be applying for additional grants, but nothing is guaranteed.

“Basically, what we are doing is looking at ways to sustain what Hands of Hope is and what services we provide,” said Gruber, who has spearheaded the cell phone and printer cartridges fund-raising campaign. “You get minimal funds for it but every little bit helps.”

41-1740880 Hands of Hope Resource Center Inc. Little Falls MN United States PC
IRS registratin and EIN#
It looks stably small (about $100++K/year assets). I looked at the one year (2006) it showed higher assets to see where the money was coming from and going to:
They got $650K of government grants. Program service expenses show ca. $520K of this was providing EDUCATION and VICTIM SERVICES (undifferentiated, though completely different things) — served 3,997 educationally and 535 victims. What kind of help was that? Revenues included $20K Offender/Visitation fees and I noticed that also Contract expenses included about the same amount, $20K under the schedule at the back, & 85K of furnitures and equipment (depreciated of course). None of their officers was paid anything, yet it shows salaries totaled $278 + $15K — about $294K.

By 2011 (return) their corporate purpose was “To Advocate, Educate, and Promote Social Change for Persons Affected by Violence….” Their “$360K” Contributions and Grants revenue was spent $303 on salaries and $84K “other expenses” resulting in LESS of a deficit than the prior years. While there’s greater description in the Program Services — it’s STILL all lumped under one fee, “trainings” with actual services. I notice they “educated” about 4400 people to still, just 533 victims (+534 “secondary” probably their kids?) helped, plus sexual assault victims.

etc. I notice a pastor as a treasurer….