New director leads shelter as need grows
WISCONSIN RAPIDS – A new leader is taking over at the city’s primary domestic violence shelter just as arrests and reports of domestic violence are creeping up.
Susan Sippel, a gregarious and dedicated woman who attended college in Stevens Point and has worked about 12 years at the city’s Family Crisis Center, started Aug. 1 in her role as director of the Family Center, which provides housing and services to victims of domestic violence.
Her first challenge will be serving a growing list of clients who need her agency’s services. Since 2012 the number of domestic abuse and violence incidents to which the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department has responded has increased every year, as has the number of victims served at the center.
With that growth in demand for services in mind, the Family Center sought to hire a new director capable of advocating for and managing resources to meet the need, said RaeAnn Thomas, Family Center board president.
“Sue has accomplished some great things in her professional history,” Thomas said. Sippel’s resume, dedication, knowledge and integrity brought her to the fore of candidates considered for the position. Vickie Hodge resigned the position in April.
“We needed a director to be well connected in the community, and that comes naturally for her. She not only knows the facts but knows how to work with people,” Thomas said.
Sippel is no stranger to domestic violence issues — she’s worked in the field for more than two decades, the past 11 years as director of the Manitowoc County Domestic Violence Center. In Manitowoc she spearheaded a $2 million capital campaign to build a new shelter in the city.
Prior to working in Manitowoc, Sippel worked almost 20 years in the Stevens Point area. Making the move to Wisconsin Rapids is “like coming home,” she said.
“I enjoy challenges and I’m excited to be here. I’m an idea person. As far as goals (for the Family Center), I hope to take some of the knowledge I’ve gained over the years to see where this agency can go,” Sippel said.
Her immediate goal is to meet community leaders and spread the word about services she can offer to victims of domestic violence.
“Our partners we work with are wonderful, particularly area law enforcement,” she said. “Their knowledge and dedication is impressive.”
Local police officials said that officers routinely meet with Family Center staff and advocates to ensure that their responses to domestic violence issues are appropriate.
“The department wants to employ the most comprehensive and effective response to those victimized by abuse and that simply wouldn’t be possible without the Family Center, its advocates and its resources,” said Capt. Quentin Ellis, Wood County Sheriff’s Department.
While the role of police is to maintain community safety and uphold the law, the Family Center provides the services and shelter victims of domestic abuse and violence need.
“It’s a team effort,” said Chief Kurt Heuer, Wisconsin Rapids Police Department. “While the protection of the victims is a priority for law enforcement, the Family Center provides the much needed shelter, services and advocacy for the victims.”
The Family Center provides shelter services to folks throughout central Wisconsin and provides counseling, advocacy and other services to people in the southern half of Wood County, Sippel said.
Reporter Liz Welter can be reached at 715-898-7008, or by email at lwelter@gannett.com. Find her on Twitter as@welter_liz.
For more information
What: The Family Center
Where: 500 25th St., North, Wisconsin Rapids
Telephone: 715-421-1511
Website: www.familyctr.org
By the numbers
Wisconsin Rapids Police Department domestic violence reports, arrests
2013: There were 129 reports with 149 arrests
2014: There were 132 reports with 141 arrests
2015: From January through July 31, there were 91 reports with 98 arrests
Source — Wisconsin Rapids Police Department
People helped at The Family Center
2013: Served 1,204 people
2014: Served 1,325 people
2015: On track to exceed 2014 number
Source — The Family Center
Services provided by The Family Center
Victim services
Children and youth services
Transitional services
Senior and vulnerable adult services
Hmong services
Sexual assault services
Visitations services
Pet safety program
Source — The Family Center