About

Empowerment and Hope for Every Survivor

Since 1979, the Diane Peppler Resource Center has supported survivors of domestic and sexual violence throughout the Eastern Upper Peninsula. From our beginnings as a grassroots task force to a full-service 24/7 shelter, we continue to be driven by compassion, safety, and justice.

The Diane Peppler Resource Center is committed to empowering survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault by fostering a safe and supportive space. Our mission is to provide resources, education, and advocacy that inspire healing and long-term change.

Our Story

The Diane Peppler Resource Center (DPRC) opened its doors initially to aid victims of domestic violence in 1979. This program became possible due to the dedication of many community members.

Two years before our doors opened a task force was formed in Chippewa County. This task force was composed of representatives from Law Enforcement, Social Workers, Attorneys, Professors, and members of both the Religious and Business Communities.

These dedicated individuals spent many hours of their personal time looking for resources to help reduce domestic violence in our community. Two members of that group have touched the soul of our current existence. They are Diane Peppler and Elizabeth Foley.

Diane helped this project to become incorporated. After her death in 1980, we honored her memory by naming the agency the Diane Peppler Resource Center. Elizabeth was on the original task force and dedicated over 25 years of service to the Board of Directors.

The first funds that became available were through a law enforcement grant. This money allowed victims up to three days at a local motel. This was a very temporary solution to a major problem. Within six months the task group received money through a governor-appointed board, the Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board which is still functional to this day, now known as the Department of Victims Services.

Over the course of 40 years, we have had the opportunity to receive several grants to enhance our services. Like many streams of government, they don’t all last, depending on the climate of the current government. We have been able to receive funding to enhance our presence in Luce and Mackinac Counties, making us an Eastern Upper Peninsula organization, covering the residence across 6,711 square miles, 3 hospitals, local, county, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies, and 4 islands.

We are grateful to our community partners; tribal advocacy services, local schools, college and university, city, county, and federal government entities, religious leaders, and all of the other human service agencies. We could not do what we do without the support of every donor, volunteer, supporter, and survivor.

Today our services are strong, just like the survivors who have sought them out. We provide assistance to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and stalking. We offer crisis counseling, advocacy, shelter, transportations, need assistance for essentials, food, clothing, medication, youth services, legal advocacy, and volunteer opportunities.

Our shelter facility is a 21-bed home with a family room, play room, work out facilities, laundry facilities, fully operational kitchen, client computer, and staffed 24-hours per day. We have a 24-hour crisis hotline which is operated by volunteers. We have staff on-call 24 hours per day to assist wherever they are needed. We receive donations of any possible tangible good you could imagine to assist the survivors when setting up their own household.

The struggles and determination of our predecessors has not gone unnoticed. We honor their hard work by continuing to take up dedication to the cause for those who cannot fly their own flag due to safety reasons. We honor the survivors and their families by ensuring the work we do will live on long past our time with Diane Peppler Resource Center. We honor the founders by honoring their history and the commitment they entered into on behalf of our survivors.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide resources, education, and advocacy that inspire healing and long-term change.

To provide a safe and violence-free atmosphere, from domestic and sexual violence, human trafficking, teen dating violence and stalking, in which survivors can recognize their options to have the opportunity to continue living violence free.

To educate our community, schools, and systems that domestic and sexual violence can happen to anyone.

To create a healthier environment honoring all genders, national origins, ethnicities, religions, races, and/or sexual orientations by providing on-going public advocacy, education programs and services.

Our Philosophy

We will treat survivors with dignity and respect and provide them the support and advocacy necessary to help reestablish their sense of well-being.

Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Assault, Human Trafficking, Bullying, and Stalking is a violent act committed against a person’s will. These are universal crimes occurring across all spectrums of life. This criminal conduct cannot be tolerated as it has devastating effects on the victims and the entire society.

A comprehensive community response to intimate partner violence and sexual assault, human trafficking, bullying, and stalking through education, advocacy, and other appropriate interventions are necessary to bring about change to end the violence.

The Diane Peppler Resource Center is committed to working within the social system to hold the perpetrator accountable. We are further committed to promoting the empowerment of survivors so they may make informed decisions for themselves.