Abbie News, August 2026

4 days ago
4 min read

IN THIS NEWSLETTER

We're hiring!
Join the Great Fish Community Challenge
Montana Justice Foundation grant award
Round up at Nelson's Ace
"Skills for Supporting Survivors" training (Sept 22)
Stayin’ Alive Celebration (Oct 10)

WE'RE HIRING!

Are you looking for a meaningful career that directly serves members of our community? Do you want to work alongside a group of supportive, dynamic, and dedicated staff?

Join the Abbie crew as our next Shelter Advocate, a key member of our residential program team. This core staff position oversees daily operations at our confidential shelter, providing essential day-to-day support to survivors of intimate partner violence.

To learn more about the Shelter Advocate position, visit our Careers page and apply today. The position is open until filled!

Job Description

GREAT FISH COMMUNITY CHALLENGE

2026 Great Fish Community Challenge season is officially here! This annual fundraising campaign is hosted by the Whitefish Community Foundation and benefits 80+ nonprofits right here in the Flathead Valley.

Your gift to the Abbie Shelter during the Challenges lefts up survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, and teen dating violence by strengthening our Helpline, confidential shelter, mental health support, court advocacy, and community education programs.

Designed to maximize the generosity of our community, the Challenge allows donors to contribute to multiple local organizations in one single transaction. Gifts made during the campaign will also be multiplied by a percentage match, further increasing the impact of donors' contributions.

The Challenge is open now through September 11. Learn more about the Challenge and how to support the Abbie and dozens of other incredible organizations here.

Give Now

"Without the help of the Abbie's court advocate, therapy, and belief of the staff, I wouldn't have had the courage to do what was best for me, my mental health, and my future.

Forever grateful!"

- Anonymous Abbie Shelter client

MONTANA JUSTICE FOUNDATION GRANT AWARD

We are thrilled to announce that the Abbie Shelter recently received a generous $20,000 grant from the Montana Justice Foundation (MJF). This statewide nonprofit is dedicated to achieving justice for all Montanans,

and awarded a record $2.34M in funding to organizations across the state this year.

We are honored to be among this year's MJF grant recipients. This vital funding bolsters our services for survivors seeking assistance as they navigate our local judicial system. Every week, the Abbie Shelter's Court Advocates help community members request Orders of Protection, access Crime Victims Compensation resources, and more. As the only community-based victim advocates in Flathead County, this critical support from MJF ensures that our services remain available to all of our neighbors in need.

Learn more about MJF

ROUND UP AT NELSON'S ACE

Thanks to our friends at Nelson's Ace Hardware in Whitefish, you can shop locally and support the Abbie Shelter at the same time this September!

Starting Sept 1 and running all month long, round up your purchase at Nelson's to make a contribution to the Abbie right at the register. This is a quick and simple way to directly support Flathead County survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault.

If you're repainting an empty nest this fall, readying your garden for winter, or generally handling maintenance needs around your home or business, consider visiting Nelson's Ace in Whitefish to both purchase your supplies and uplift survivors when you check out.

Thank you, Nelson's, for featuring the Abbie Shelter in your round up program!

"SKILLS FOR SUPPORTING SURVIVORS" TRAINING

Skills for Supporting Survivors, Part I: Causes and Effects of Abuse

Did you know that the Abbie Shelter offers free community trainings? Beginning next month, we're hosting a three-part series at the Flathead County Library where we'll review practical skills and trauma-informed tips for supporting survivors. In Part 1 of the training, we'll identify the causes and effects of different forms of abuse while exploring helpful tools, like the Power & Control Wheel.

We believe that a community educated about intimate partner violence is more prepared to recognize abuse and protect survivors. Often, when someone is experiencing harm, their family and friends want to help but don't know how. We know that social support is the best predictor of recovery during and after abuse, but how do we safely support survivors? Join us on Sept 22 to learn more.

This training is free and open to the public. Anyone directly impacted by abuse, as well as friends and family of survivors and community members in general, are all encouraged to attend.

Skills for Supporting Survivors

Part I: Causes & Effects of Abuse

Tuesday, September 22

12pm - 1pm

Flathead County Library

Basement meeting room

247 1st Ave East Kalispell

Community Education

STAYIN' ALIVE CELEBRATION