We are at what, 7.1 million right now of our 14 million goal, so we’re a little over halfway. We’re very excited about that.”

Community Educator Grace Verbrugge

Members of the Hastings Area Rotary Club recently welcomed representatives from 360 Communities for a visit that blended updates, encouragement, and a clear invitation for local residents to stay involved in supporting neighbors facing domestic and sexual violence, food insecurity, and housing instability.
The presentation, led by Community Advocacy Supervisor Molly Cihla and Community Educator Grace Verbrugge, focused on the organization’s expanding services, a major shelter project underway in Eagan, and the many ways community members can contribute time, talent, and financial support.
Cihla, who grew up in Hastings and has worked with 360 Communities for nearly a decade, said the visit was partly intended to reconnect with local Rotarians ahead of a public fundraising push tied to the organization’s capital campaign.
“Thank you for having us,” Cihla told the group. She explained the organization wanted to return with practical suggestions for how residents can help support people experiencing domestic and sexual violence, especially as awareness increases around the new shelter project.
The upcoming campaign aims to strengthen services for survivors across the region. Verbrugge said the effort has already reached an important milestone.
“We are at what, 7.1 million right now of our 14 million goal, so we’re a little over halfway,” she said. “We’re very excited about that.”
The new shelter, currently under development in Eagan, represents a significant shift in how survivors are supported. Designed with comfort and safety in mind, the facility will reflect what staff describe as a trauma informed approach, one intended to help residents feel secure as they begin rebuilding their lives.
“We know that when people come to a shelter that they have a good experience in, that they feel safe and they feel comfortable in, they are much less likely to return to their abuser,” Verbrugge said.
One feature expected to set the shelter apart statewide is its pet friendly design. Many survivors delay leaving unsafe homes because they cannot bring animals with them. The new facility will allow families to remain together.
“We are going to be the first fully pet friendly shelter in the state of Minnesota,” Verbrugge said.
The shelter will also increase capacity. While earlier facilities together served 46 people, the new location will have space for 50, expanding access even though the beds will no longer be located directly in Hastings.
Cihla said that change has created some uncertainty locally but emphasized that services remain available to Hastings residents.
“I think Hastings is in a unique position, because we used to have a shelter here,” she said. “And so, I think there’s uncertainty in the community about what we can offer and where we can offer it.”
She reassured Rotarians that support remains accessible.
“We’re still here, here for people,” Cihla said. “Hastings folks can call, we have a community advocate who supports folks in Hastings.”
Transportation assistance is also available for anyone who needs help reaching the new shelter.
“When people call us, we just ask if they have transportation,” she said. “If not, we just talk about it and we’ll get them to us. They don’t need to worry.”
Beyond the shelter project, the presentation highlighted the broad scope of services provided by 360 Communities, including food shelves, violence prevention programs, court and hospital advocacy, crisis response, and support groups for survivors and families.
Volunteers play a major role in keeping those services running. Verbrugge described opportunities ranging from helping stock food shelves to assisting children staying in shelter.
“We have so many incredible volunteers who make our work possible every day,” she said.
In some cases, volunteers complete a 40-hour training program that prepares them to work directly with survivors in hospitals, courtrooms, or on crisis lines. The training is offered twice each year and is free to participants.
“If you’re not familiar in the advocacy world, an advocate has to have the 40-hour training certificate in order to be a like certified advocate to work with clients,” Verbrugge said.
The organization also encourages people to contribute specialized skills. Some volunteers help with curriculum development, art projects, or peer education programs, while others assist with donation drives or outreach efforts.
“Healing looks so different for everyone that we work with,” Cihla said. “So we might not be thinking of a really creative idea that you all have based on something you’re doing, or a talent you have.”
She shared an example of one volunteer who helped develop training materials still used today.
“That curriculum has trained our advocates for the last few years,” she said. “It’s been awesome.”
Throughout the visit, both speakers emphasized that strong relationships with community groups like Rotary help extend the reach of services to people who might otherwise remain isolated.
“We see it as not just us serving people and having it be a one-way thing,” Verbrugge said. “We see it as building community.”
That approach reflects the organization’s broader philosophy, she added, which centers on mutual support and long-term stability rather than short term solutions.
“When we invest in our community, we’re building people who can then have that ripple effect and help others,” she said.
Verbrugge, who is also a Rotarian herself, said partnerships with local clubs play an especially important role in connecting residents to resources and strengthening awareness.
“As Rotarians, right, it’s service above self,” she said. “And if you think about the four-way test, a lot of our work really does focus on those tenants.”
The organization’s leadership and stability have helped staff focus more directly on serving people rather than constantly pursuing funding, she said.
“We’re able to focus on people, which is what we all want to do,” Verbrugge said.
Still, she encouraged community members to remain engaged through donations, volunteer service, or professional expertise.
“I am here to invite all of you to bring your time, talent and treasure to 360,” she said. “Because we don’t need it. The community needs it.”
As Hastings continues to adjust to changes in shelter location and services, both speakers said community awareness remains essential. Conversations about domestic and sexual violence can be difficult, but they are necessary, especially as new resources come online.
For Rotarians and others in attendance, the message was simple. Support is available, partnerships matter, and even small efforts can help neighbors move toward safety and stability.