Wise Hope brings services to Jacksboro

Thu, 04/20/2017 - 4:19 pm

The Jacksboro Chamber of Commerce welcomed Wise Hope Tuesday as its newest member with a ribbon cutting during an open house at the agency’s outreach office in Jacksboro.
Karen VanderKaay is the victim advocate for the Wise Hope outreach office in Jacksboro.

Jack County men and women suffering domestic abuse can now get help closer to home. Wise Hope Shelter and Crisis Center has opened an outreach office in Jacksboro.

Located in the old motor bank at the corner of North Church and East Archer streets, the outreach office offers an array of services for victims of domestic violence or sexual assault.

Karen VanderKaay, victim advocate, mans the office Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Services VanderKaay and other Wise Hope staff can provide include counseling, crisis intervention, and education. Wise Hope can also assist and support its clients as they navigate the criminal or civil legal system.

“We’re not lawyers, but we can let them know what to expect when they go through the legal process to help prepare them emotionally,” VanderKaay said. “I can help them file a restraining order or accompany them if they need to go to court.”

Wise Hope has served Wise, Jack and Montague counties since the agency began in 2006. Victims of abuse or assault have been able to use the shelter in Wise County, but many have had difficulty accessing some of the other services available like counseling.

Several directors from the agency’s board are Jack County residents including Martha Salmon, Lanora Joslin, Jacksboro Police Chief Terry McDaniel and Sheriff Tom Spurlock. They saw the need for services closer to home and worked to make them available.

To read the full article, see the April 21 Herald-Gazette.