History
Wendy Visscher,Help Center, Inc. Executive Director from 1975-2018
The Help Center emerged from an increasing concern about drug problems in the Gallatin valley among high school and college students. In February 1971, a small group of parents and citizens formed Parents and Children (PAC) with the goal to find a way and a means to provide help to people whenever they needed it, specifically with drugs. The founders quickly realized they would need broad-based community support if it were to succeed. On March 22nd, 1971, the Gallatin Council on Health and Drugs (GGHD) incorporated as a private nonprofit. As a result, a 24-Hour crisis intervention center opened.
“The people immediately responsible for the center were armed only with a genuine concern for people, an idea, and a great deal of courage.” -Wes Davidson, former Executive Director.
The original center was located in downtown Bozeman, running into a great deal of opposition from the outset. It was viewed by many in the community as a hang-out for anti-establishment individuals and groups. The business community began to feel the center’s presence impact their business. Lack of meaningful communication between the Help Center and the community, developed an atmosphere of confusion and mistrust. In May 1971, the original center closed, however, continued to operate as a 24-hour crisis line based in a private home until a new location was secured.
A formal proposal was made to revive the crisis center. They engaged a variety of key community stakeholders to create buy-in. The idea of the new location and revival was demonstrated by financial support. The Circle K Club at MSU held a “Walk for Mankind” and a local radio station held a pledge marathon. They also received a grant from the U.S. Office of Education. In June of 1971, the Help Center became a 24/7 call-in, walk-in all-purpose crisis center in an abandoned house at 323 S. Wallace. The county agreed to rent the house with the agreement that any materials used to renovate the building could be applied toward rent. In July 1971, a new easy-to-remember number was established, 586-3333, which is still used to this day.
The new Help Center had two main goals: Provide help to anyone needing and wanting help and to provide well-trained volunteers who could respond to any crisis or problem and refer to the appropriate professional person or agency. It was a referral and crisis intervention service which provided help to people in need, no matter what the problem via 24-hour telephone, walk-in, and outreach services. This new center had a goal of providing screened, well-trained volunteers who could respond to any crisis or problem and refer to the proper agency or professional when needed.
“The people immediately responsible for the center were armed only with a genuine concern for people, an idea, and a great deal of courage.” -Wes Davidson, former Executive Director.
The original center was located in downtown Bozeman, running into a great deal of opposition from the outset. It was viewed by many in the community as a hang-out for anti-establishment individuals and groups. The business community began to feel the center’s presence impact their business. Lack of meaningful communication between the Help Center and the community, developed an atmosphere of confusion and mistrust. In May 1971, the original center closed, however, continued to operate as a 24-hour crisis line based in a private home until a new location was secured.
A formal proposal was made to revive the crisis center. They engaged a variety of key community stakeholders to create buy-in. The idea of the new location and revival was demonstrated by financial support. The Circle K Club at MSU held a “Walk for Mankind” and a local radio station held a pledge marathon. They also received a grant from the U.S. Office of Education. In June of 1971, the Help Center became a 24/7 call-in, walk-in all-purpose crisis center in an abandoned house at 323 S. Wallace. The county agreed to rent the house with the agreement that any materials used to renovate the building could be applied toward rent. In July 1971, a new easy-to-remember number was established, 586-3333, which is still used to this day.
The new Help Center had two main goals: Provide help to anyone needing and wanting help and to provide well-trained volunteers who could respond to any crisis or problem and refer to the appropriate professional person or agency. It was a referral and crisis intervention service which provided help to people in need, no matter what the problem via 24-hour telephone, walk-in, and outreach services. This new center had a goal of providing screened, well-trained volunteers who could respond to any crisis or problem and refer to the proper agency or professional when needed.
Help Center, Inc. Timeline & Major Milestones
1971 |
Incorporated as a nonprofit on March 22, 1971 as Gallatin Council on Health & Drugs. Originally opened a center in downtown Bozeman, but quickly closed. Moved to 323 S. Wallace in June 1971.
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Wallace St. Location
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1975 |
Telecare program was inherited from Bozeman Health. This program provides daily phone calls to elderly or home-bound individuals.
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Edith Reichmuth, Help Center volunteer for 25 years
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1986 |
Sacks Thrift of Bozeman opened in downtown to help provide funding for programs of Gallatin Council.
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Sacks of Bozeman in Downtown
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1992 |
Moved the 24-hour crisis center to 421 E. Peach St., where it remains to this day.
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Peach St. location when first opened.
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1994 |
Sacks of Belgrade opened to expand our presence in the county and to provide additional funding. We sadly closed this store in July 2019.
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Sacks of Belgrade
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1996 |
The Sexual Assault Counseling Center opened. This program provides trauma-based medical, legal and personal advocacy, and on-going counseling/therapy to reduce the long term mental and physical health effects of sexual abuse. Staff Counselor-Advocates navigate interactions with law enforcement and the justice system from the presentation of abuse through the court case, increasing the survivor’s sense of safety right from the start.
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Counseling room
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2003 |
Official name of nonprofit organization changed to Help Center, Inc.
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Current Help Center logo
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2005 |
Montana 211 was implemented. 211 is a number set aside by the FCC as an easy-to-remember, universally recognizable number that connects people in need to available resources. Montana became part of the national 211 network. The Help Center program collaborates with four other Montana nonprofits to provide this phone service to 36 out of the 56 counties and connect all Montanans to community resources through Montana211.org.
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2007 |
In 2007, the Help Center program also became part of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL). An individual in our area calling the national 1-800-273-TALK number is was routed to our center to provide local assistance. To this day, we are one of two crisis centers in the state that answers this number, along with Voices of Hope in Great Falls.
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2012 |
Help Center, Inc. merged with an established nonprofit, the Hearts & Homes Family Resource Center. Hearts and Homes began in 1990, providing support to foster parents and children who had been removed from their birth families. This program was welcomed to continue to meet the need of keeping families connected. They provide a variety of services including supervised visitations, parent coaching and education.
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Hearts & Homes Supervised Visitation Room
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2015 |
The Gallatin County Child Advocacy Center opened. This program provides a child-friendly, safe and neutral location in which law enforcement Child Protective Service investigators may conduct interviews with children who are victims of abuse. This a multidisciplinary approach to the investigation, prosecution and treatment of child abuse, particularly sexual abuse. Families are also provided with counselor advocates and wrap-around services.
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Child Advocacy Center interview room
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