Healing the Hurt in the Community
Founded in 1977, Rape and Abuse Crisis Center (RACC) is the only crisis center in the Fargo-Moorhead area, and offers a comprehensive array of crisis intervention and prevention services in Minnesota and North Dakota
How Fargo’s Rape and Abuse Crisis Center is Helping Victims and Their Families through the Aid of My Best Friend’s Closet
Founded in 1977, Rape and Abuse Crisis Center (RACC) is the only crisis center in the Fargo-Moorhead area, and offers a comprehensive array of crisis intervention and prevention services in Minnesota and North Dakota. Thousands of victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse find themselves at their door for many important needs, from counseling and criminal justice advocacy to child therapy services, medical advocacy and more.
RACC has relied on volunteers since its inception—which is how they became acquainted with Meredith Haugen. Meredith was an avid volunteer who generously shared her time and talents with RACC until her death in 2007. Her family found it fitting that memorials honoring their daughter be used to support a cause that she loved and in 2008, the Meredith Haugen Play Therapy Room opened its doors for children who were victims of abuse and violence.
Activity in the therapy room addresses cognitive, behavioral and emotional issues that kids and teens may be experiencing and allows opportunities to explore thought-provoking questions. Kids want to feel safe when they talk to someone about what happened. Roleplay, sand tray and other types of art develop ways for children to express their traumatic experiences and promote a new sense of courage and trust.
Play therapy allows children to express themselves freely without restrictions and in a safe space. Play is how kids rehearse for life. By exploring feelings through play, kids learn to overcome obstacles while enjoying personal satisfaction and having fun. Children can learn life skills and express their imagination while using the room.”
Myla Korbel, RACC Chief Program Officer
Kids want to feel safe when they talk to someone about what happened. Roleplay, sand tray and other types of art develop ways for children to express their traumatic experiences and promote a new sense of courage and trust.”
– Rachelle Brown, RACC Licensed Counselor
Play therapy allows children to express themselves freely without restrictions and in a safe space. Play is how kids rehearse for life. By exploring feelings through play, kids learn to overcome obstacles while enjoying personal satisfaction and having fun. Children can learn life skills and express their imagination while using the room.” – Myla Korbel, RACC Chief Program Officer
Meredith Haugen had a Child Psychology degree and was dedicated to serving children in abusive situations, specifically children who were victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence.
Role-play, like this play courtroom, help children safely navigate and process scenarios they might experience in real life.
My Best Friend’s Closet’s previous owner and Meredith’s mother, Glenda Haugen, began hosting the Fabulous Fashion and Friends event to provide ongoing support to child services at RACC. “I am grateful that this sunny room is available to the children in our community. Little kids who have experienced violence and/or abuse rely on this safe place and its specialized therapists for help and direction. I’m honored that Jennifer Fischer, the new owner of MBFC continues to support the children who rely on RACC.”
Over 6,000 children have relied on RACC since the room opened. From educational therapy toys, games and apps, RACC strives to offer children the very best care that they need. But they can’t achieve this alone; to continue to make this happen, support is needed in order to provide updated technology and care that the kids can utilize for healing as well as beneficial training for RACC therapists to attend.
Children deserve to live free of abuse and violence, tragically that’s not always the case. That’s why RACC and My Best Friend’s Closet are making a change—and you can help too!
This Fabulous Fashion & Friends event supports critical services that protect a child from additional abuse and long-lasting trauma.
Support the Cause
My Best Friend’s Closet and RACC are excited to host their annual Fabulous Fashion & Friends event on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at the Avalon Events Center! Join us for a dinner, short program, silent auction and fashion show.
Avalon Event Center
2525 9th Ave S Fargo
April 27, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
Check-in & Pre-Party
Published March 20, 2023
