The Dubuque Y’s Crisis Services Program Helps Women in Need

When it comes to supporting local non-profits, there might not be an easier and more impactful program than Kwik Care.

If you're not aware, Kwik Care has helped raise both funds and awareness for local nonprofits. Each month, Kwik Stop and Dairy Queen help collect donations for a different organization. Donations can be made easily by requesting your total purchase at any of those businesses (including at the gas pumps at Kwik Stop) be rounded up to the nearest dollar. The additional cents used to round up will be donated to the respective charity of the month.

This month's Kwik Care recipient, and the first of the 2024 calendar year, is the Dubuque Y's Crisis Service Program. They provide equal-access, trauma-informed sheltering services to survivors. Michelle Ernst and Abbye Portzen of Crisis Services stopped by the studio, alongside Heather Hamm of Kwik Stop/Rainbo Oil, to talk about all the great work they do:

We are a 30-day emergency shelter. We [provide people] who are fleeing domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking [a safe space]. They call us and they are free to come in for a free 30-day stay. We do not charge them a thing. We help them find housing, we help them restart a life outside of their abuse, and we offer them opportunities to get employment or resources cause some have obstacles that stand in their way [....] to help them move on. - Michelle Ernst

The funding raise will help support the shelter as a whole, including a food pantry for the clients, the maintenance of the shelter, staff wages, and everything in between. The Dubuque Y's Crisis Services Program is never not open and never not staffed.

Here are all the locations where you can make a donation to the Dubuque Y's Crisis Service Program in the month of January:

• Kwik Stop on Pennsylvania Avenue
• Kwik Stop on JFK Road
• Kwik Stop on University Avenue
• Kwik Stop on E. 16th Street
• BP Kwik Stop on E. 16^th Street
• Kwik Stop on Twin Valley Drive (Key West)
• Kwik Stop on Gateway Drive
• Family Mart by Kwik Stop on 32^nd & Central
• Kwik Stop in Peosta
• Kwik Stop in Delhi
• Kwik Stop on Kerper Boulevard

All month long, Kwik Stop and Dairy Queen will be taking donations that will go directly to the Dubuque Y's Crisis Services Program via the aforementioned Kwik Care canisters at the counter or if customers request their purchase-total be rounded up to the nearest dollar (the difference going to the Dubuque Y).

Take a listen to my interview with Heather Hamm of Kwik Stop and Michelle Ernst of the Dubuque Y below! Below are some links if you find yourself in need of crisis services:

• Website: https://dubuquey.org/crisisservices/
• Crisis Services 24/7 Line: 563-556-1100
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ymcacrisisservices/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dbqy_crisisservices/