| About Us
Shelter, Inc. began providing emergency shelter and supportive services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault within the city of Alpena, Michigan in 1977. Since its inception the agency’s service area as well as its array of services has broadened immensely to address a full spectrum of domestic violence and sexual assault survivor needs and social change endeavors. We have developed and implemented quality assurance policies and practices which access input from those we serve, the community at large, staff and referring agencies.
Our current primary service area encompasses the northeast Michigan counties of Alcona, Alpena, Iosco, Montmorency and Presque Isle. Additionally, survivors of personal violence seeking safe haven come to us from far reaching areas of our state, country and world.
Shelter, Inc.’s strategic plan identifies systems change/social reform and a renewed emphasis on the special needs of child victims as current areas of focus. The agency consistently holds to its philosophical ideals which focus on empowerment, self-determination, survivor safety and batterer accountability. Shelter, Inc. continues to foster relationships within the community and faith-based organizations to develop an understanding of the dynamics of domestic and sexual violence and the community’s responsibility to identify and implement changes that will benefit survivors.
Shelter, Inc. is dedicated to assisting victims of abuse and their families in ending the violence and discrimination in their lives. All services provided by the agency are free of charge. Although emergency shelter and 24-hour crisis intervention services remain a major focus Shelter, Inc. also provides the following services:
- Individual and group counseling
- Legal and personal advocacy
- Children’s programming
- Long-term supportive housing assistance
- Life skills management
- Information and referrals
- Food, clothing and household assistance
- Community education/prevention services
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Volunteer services are an integral component of Shelter, Inc.’s programs. The agency is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors consisting of community members from a wide variety of professions, a program participant and a student intern. The organization is also blessed with a dedicated troupe of volunteers who supplement such essential services as crisis counseling, personal advocacy and childcare. For more information regarding our volunteer services, please click here.
Funding sources for Shelter, Inc. include state and federal grants, public and private foundations, community and faith-based organizations and private donors as well as proceeds from fundraising efforts and two thrift stores. For more information about making a tax deductible donation to Shelter, Inc. please go to Online Giving and Other Ways to Donate. To learn more about our thrift stores click here.
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Our staff, who consistently hold to our philosophical ideals of focusing on empowerment, self-determination and systems change, are dedicated to providing quality care to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. To speak with someone regarding our services and programs, please see the contact information below or click here to contact us via email.
Administrative Office
3022 US 23 South, Suite D Phone (989) 356-2560
P.O. Box 797 Fax (989) 356-6659
Alpena, MI 49707
Sandra Pilgrim-Lewis, Executive Director slewis@shelterincalpena.org
Susan Armstrong, HMIS Date Entry sarmstrong@shelterincalpena.org
Kendra Bartz, Employment/Life Skills Specialist kbartz@shelterincalpena.org
Regina Franklin, Support Services Coordinator rfranklin@shelterincalpena.org
Jim Gunderson, Counselor jgunderson@shelterincalpena.org
Sandi Johnson, Housing Advocate sjohnson@shelterincalpena.org
Char McGuire, Housing Program Coordinator charmcguire@shelterincalpena.org
Maria Mills, Counselor mmills@shelterincalpena.org
Mary Mischley, Rural Advocate . mmischley@shelterincalpena.org
Judy Suszek, Financial Manager jsuszek@shelterincalpena.org
Alpena Downtown Office
P.O. Box 797 Phone (989) 356-6265
Alpena, MI 49707 Fax (989) 358-0109
Crisis (989) 356-9650 or (800) 396-9129
Jeff Lewis, Legal Advocacy Program Coordinator jlewis@shelterincalpena.org
Laurel Moors, Children's Program Coordinator lmoors@shelterincalpena.org
Valerie Myrick, Volunteer Coordinator vmyrick@shelterincalpena.org
Val Pfoutz, Volunteer Coordinator vpfoutz@shelterincalpena.org
Oscoda Facility
P.O. Box 658 Phone (989) 739-0144
Oscoda, MI 48750 Fax (989) 739-1179
Pattie Clement-Colombo, Housing Advocate pcolombo@shelterincalpena.org
Beverly Guregian, Team Leader/Volunteer Coord. bguregian@shelterincalpena.org
Housing Advocates housemgrs@shelterincalpena.org
Atlanta Office
11847 M-33 North Phone (989) 464-1352
Atlanta, MI 49709 Fax (989) 785-5339
Seconds on Third
1096 W. Third Street Phone & Fax (989) 734-7306
Rogers City, MI 49779
Susie Kowalewsky, Store Manager SecondsOnThird@shelterincalpena.org
Renee Roeske, Store Manager
Donna Dubbs, Store Assistant
Second Chances
4721 F-41 Phone (989) 739-7989
Oscoda, MI 48750 Fax (989) 739-7986
Janice Wilber, Store Manager SecondChances@shelterincalpena.org
Janet Mezey, Store Assistant
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