The story of ROSE Advocates began in 1988 in a small Nevada town when a female resident witnessed a woman being abused in public. After the abuser left the scene, the witness approached the woman and handed her a piece of paper with her name, telephone number and a simple statement saying “I’ll help you.” With the help of this kind stranger, the woman and her small son were able to return to their hometown of Weiser to the safety and support of their family and friends. This woman made a vow to help others who were living this nightmare she had just survived. With the love and support of her friends and family, they formed a secret underground organization 
of volunteers and safe houses to help abused women and children. Their office at that time was hidden in the basement of the Washington County Courthouse. Since that time, the organization has grown into a well-known public organization that covers four counties in rural Idaho including Washington, Payette, Adams and Gem counties. Dolores Larsen Executive Director of ROSE Advocates states that even though ROSE Advocates main focus is assisting 
victims of abuse, they also provide education awareness and prevention for all ages. With October being recognized nationally as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, they are readily available to speak to groups to provide awareness and education about the dynamics of domestic violence and the effects on communities. Through a variety of classes and individual counseling, they provide a nurturing environment that focuses on reestablishing self-worth, self-esteem and empowerment to victims, adult and child, of sexual abuse and domestic violence. The victim services offered include: Advocacy/Domestic and Sexual Abuse, Transportation for Emergency Services, Legal Aid referrals, 24 Hour Crisis Hotline, Emergency Shelters, Protection Order Assistance, Assistance With Victim Compensation, Crisis Intervention/Counseling, Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention, Safety Planning,
Love and Logic Parenting Classes, Empowering Youth (dating Violence) Better Choices For Better Futures (Children’s Group), Court Advocacy/Accompaniment, Due to the fact they provide such a wide variety of victim’s services, they host numerous fund raisers throughout the year to help offset those costs and to help the victims reestablish their lives. On October 3rd ROSE Advocates will be hosting their annual “Freedom From Abuse One Bite At A Time Benefit Dinner” at the Weiser Vendome. At 6pm there will be a no host cocktail hour and then a dinner of prime rib or pork will be served at 7pm with raffles, door prizes and a silent auction to follow. Tickets can be purchased by calling: 208-741-1690 or 208-414-1231. The cost for each ticket is $22.00. The money raised through these fund raisers helps ROSE Advocates help those in need in our communities.
