A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the Kendall County Courthouse for the opening of the satellite branch of the Aurora-based Mutual Ground. (Photo courtesy of Mutual Ground)

Michelle Meyer always knew there was a need.

Now, the executive director of Mutual Ground has the proof.

Since opening a satellite branch of the domestic violence and sexual assault services agency inside a small gun closet at the Kendall County courthouse, the Aurora-based nonprofit has seen a major rise in the number of Kendall resident utilizing Mutual Ground’s services.

This year, compared to the same four-month time period last year (February through May), there has been a 63 percent increase in the number of Kendall County residents who have had help from Mutual Ground filing orders of protection.

From February through May 2015, 18 Kendall County clients utilized Mutual Ground’s services for help in filing orders of protection. In that time frame this year, 49 Kendall County clients sought help.

“We’ve recognized the need for a long time,” Meyer said.

Having been a court advocate with Mutual Ground for 10 years starting in 2000, Meyer said she’s seen first-hand the struggles Kendall residents once went through when trying to navigate the world of court-ordered protections without the help of in-house advocates.

“The process of getting an order of protection is not easy,” she said. “It’s complicated. You have to answer a lot of questions and fill out the paperwork appropriately. Our job is to help them do that correctly so it helps the judge to better understand their needs. It helps the system run smoother.”

Often times, without the help of advocates, those seeking orders of protection against abusers will get frustrated with the process and give up. This opens the door for more violence, Meyer said.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the Kendall County Courthouse for the opening of the satellite branch of the Aurora-based Mutual Ground. (Photo courtesy of Mutual Ground)

“The danger in not filing is that they don’t have any legal protection,” Meyer said. Once the order is correctly filed and approved, criminal charges can be filed against the alleged abuser if the court order’s rules are broken.

In addition to helping with orders of protection, Mutual Ground court advocates have also helped 105 Kendall County clients with general advocacy from February through May 2016, up from 58 Kendall clients helped within that same time-frame last year.

Prior to setting up shop at the courthouse, Mutual Ground advocates would make the 30 minutes drive from Aurora to Yorkville to serve their clients. Now, they are just feet away and ready to help on-demand.

Meyer thanked Kendall County State’s Attorney Eric Weis for providing Mutual Ground with space within the government building.

“We started helping more people right off the bat,” Meyer said. But, she’s hoping to take the advocacy a step further and provide counseling in Kendall County for residents who are seeking help.

“We know there’s a need. We’ve doubled the order of protections, so we definitely know there’s people out there that need counseling who aren’t coming to Aurora to get it,” Meyer said. She hopes by bringing services to victim, residents will be better served.

Meyer pointed to Mutual Ground’s satellite office in Batavia which opened a year ago. The center’s counselor, who works just twice a week because of state budget restrictions, has filled her calendar and created a waiting list of victims waiting for counseling services.

The three-part mission of Mutual Ground in helping victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. (Image courtesy of Mutual Ground)

“We can’t afford any more hours because of state funding. It’s very frustrating” Meyer said. “There’s nowhere else to cut. We’re at the leanest budget we’ve been and are trying to stave off hard decisions by watching everywhere we spend.”

That doesn’t change the fact that the need for services is there, and Meyer hopes that with time, the funds will come to be able to provide those services.

For information, visit http://www.mutualground.org/?p=1276

UPCOMING FUNDRAISER

Those who want to help fundraise for Mutual Ground can participate in the 9th Annual Walk for Hope, which will be held on Oct. 22at Blackberry Farm in Aurora.  The event will take place regardless of weather.

Everyone is welcome to participate.

Those who raise $100 or more will receive a free Walk for Hope t-shirt.

The first team to raise $10,000 will be rewarded with a VIP Tent the day of the event. Hot breakfast will also be provided for VIP team members.

There are many sponsorship opportunities available. For additional information, contact Jocelyn Padilla, Marketing and Events Coordinator, at jpadilla@mutualground.org or (630) 897.0084, Ext. 142.

— Mutual Ground sees increase need for its services —