MISSION STATEMENT:  WINDOW Victim Services will provide advocacy services for crime victims, strive to provide a safe community through education and work to change attitudes and values that tolerate and accept abuse.

In 1986, WINDOW began as a grassroots, community based advocacy program to assist battered women in Pine County.  In response to the need to other types of services, Crime Victim Services (serving victims of general crime) was added in October 1993 and Sexual Assault Survivor Services was added in July 1994.  In July 1995, funding for a Children’s Advocacy Services program within the Battered Women’s Program was secured.  Sexual Assault Survivor Services expanded into neighboring Kanabec County in October 1997 with Crime Victim Services following in 2000.  In January 2002, Elder Abuse Services and in July 2002, Abused Children Advocacy Services were added to serve both Pine and Kanabec Counties.  WINDOW began providing Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Services in 2004.  Through strategic growth and adherence to philosophical standards and goals, WINDOW has become a model for community based victim services programs.

In 1999, WINDOW was able to purchase a former church in Hinckley through foundation grants, community support and securing a mortgage.  Utilizing labor from Pine County’s Sentenced to Serve crew, the building was remodeled, forming office and meeting rooms to meet the needs of the organization well into the future.  Additionally, grants have been successfully secured for a new roof and gutters, a deck, a secure outdoor play yard for children, a security camera system and materials to remodel the basement to create a visitation/safe exchange center.

There is one office located in Hinckley which allows for coordination and cooperation of services.  WINDOW also has outreach offices within the county attorney’s offices in both Pine and Kanabec Counties.  One organizational structure allows for the majority of contributions and State and Federal grants to be expended on direct client contact and educational services.  WINDOW consistently spends less than 10% of agency revenue for administrative purposes. 

WINDOW’s primary commitment is in providing advocacy services for crime victims.  To accomplish this mission, all advocates are cross-trained on all issues of victimization, however, each individual advocate is assigned and is responsible for goal accomplishment and statistical reporting for their particular program component.  This method streamlines the process for victims, allows more efficient use of personnel time and effective utilization of agency resources. 

Community awareness and education are key to meeting our mission to work to change attitudes and values that tolerate and accept abuse.  Through violence awareness months throughout the year, advocates make concentrated efforts to inform the general population on issues of victimization occurring within their communities.  Community outreach is an important factor in making citizens aware of our services.

WINDOW is fortunate to have the support of the communities it serves and is able to attract and retain skilled and committed volunteers.  Additionally, WINDOW enjoys exceptional cooperative and collaborative relationships with law enforcement, county attorneys, child and adult protection, probation, public and parochial school personnel, clergy, state and city leaders, and department of corrections personnel as well as other community service organizations in both counties.  Commitment to maintaining and improving these partnerships is a priority for this organization.