Access to compassionate, trauma-informed care can make all the difference for survivors of sexual assault. Unfortunately, many rural communities face significant barriers when those services are unavailable locally.
That is why Relationship Safety Alliance received a $10,000 award through Crow Wing Power’s 2026 Operation Round-Up® IMPACT Grant cycle to help relaunch the region’s Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program.
When the Brainerd-area SANE program dissolved in 2025, survivors ages 13 and older were left without local access to medical-forensic examinations. Many were forced to travel long distances during one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives, creating delays in care, evidence collection, and support services.
The funding will help Relationship Safety Alliance rebuild a coordinated regional response serving Crow Wing, Cass, Morrison, Todd, and Wadena counties. Grant dollars will support forensic supplies, HIPAA-compliant equipment, nurse training, outreach materials, and start-up expenses needed to establish 24/7 coverage.
The restored program is expected to provide at least 50 survivor exams annually while strengthening collaboration among healthcare providers, law enforcement, advocacy organizations, and the judicial system.
For nearly 50 years, Relationship Safety Alliance has served the region through emergency shelter services, advocacy, parenting support, and violence prevention programming. Relaunching the SANE program adds another critical layer of support for survivors while helping rebuild an essential piece of public health infrastructure in Central Minnesota.
This investment through Operation Round-Up® reflects the power of community giving — neighbors helping neighbors access care, safety, healing, and hope close to home.