The Family Crisis Center has served as a resource to East Idaho residents since the 1980s. In 1987, a group of concerned citizens recognized the lack of resources for victims of abuse and assault and created the Family Crisis Center. It’s a non-profit agency and provides safety to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault to Madison, Fremont, Jefferson and Clark counties.
Public Awareness Coordinator Julie Leavitt said that when people decide to get help, they can come to the center and find what they need.
“We’ll get them connected with a counselor and we know what funding resources are available to help them specifically,” she said. “We’re kind of like a resource hub for them.”
The Crisis Center provides someone called an advocate for anyone who comes in for help. The advocate knows the resources available to victims and can connect them with what they need.
The Crisis Center also operates a thrift store and a food bank. The thrift store is called “Second Helpings.” Leavitt said the money spent at Second Helpings goes back into helping the victims. The store is open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM and Friday from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
The food bank is open for all residents of Madison County as well as victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. Food is distributed to Madison County residents on Wednesdays from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
In 2017, the center served 747 adult clients and distributed more than 21,000 boxes of food.
Community members can make donations or volunteer at the Crisis Center thrift store and food bank. Every item donated either directly or indirectly supports the victims the center serves. The center accepts canned food, fresh food, cleaning supplies, hygiene products, paper towels, lightly used clothing and toys, books, dishes and more.
The center also provides a 24-hour crisis line, immediate response teams, emotional advocacy, shelter, legal and court advocacy, support groups, counseling and other services.
“We have so many people actually coming to get that,” Leavitt said. “It is incredible that that resource is there for them and we have a lot of great providers. We work with a lot of local stores who give us the food.”
For more information or for a complete list of services and donation items, visit familycrisiscenter.wixsite.com, call 208-356-0065 or email crisis@ida.net.
If you have an emergency, call 911.