New Day Advocacy Center has been around in Ashland for 40 years. Their mission is to empower survivors of domestic and sexual abuse through compassionate services and education.

“Each year, we serve about 250-300 people,” Lyle Poppe shared. He’s the Executive Director of New Day.

And now, they are equipped to help children navigate through this challenging process.

Thanks to a grant from the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, they were able to revamp spaces in their building into a welcoming waiting room and forensic interview room. A trained interviewer speaks with the child, with a multi-disciplinary team listening in from the viewing room.

Together, they all work to get a strong interview, for a strong investigation, for a strong prosecution.

Poppe said they’ve done about a dozen interviews with children since January.

“The important thing about child advocacy services, is a nurturing environment where the victim feels supported and able to communicate what happened,” he added.

Cheri Schulze is the Victim Services Coordinator for New Day.

“We have had clients who have come and said this was a lot better than the last time. And although it’s unfortunate and sad that this is another experience they going through, it feels good to know our efforts have made a difference,” she said.

The closest child advocacy center in Wisconsin to our area is Wausau. New Day hopes to eventually become a certified center.

They also serve Bayfield, Sawyer, and Iron counties as well.

https://www.ndshelter.org/

New Day has been chosen as a Touchstone Honoree by the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation. They’ll be featured during the Touchstone Celebration on WDIO on Thursday, November 14th, at 6:30pm on WDIO.