There have been some changes at Artemis House in Butte and Lawrence Counties as the group works to expand its services.

Donna Fischer of Belle Fourche is executive director of the organization, which assists victims of domestic violence and sexual assault

The operation has two shelters for women and children, in Spearfish and Lead.

"We serve Butte and Lawrence Counties and part of Harding County. We're trying to expand our coverage, let the rural towns know that we're here, what services are available, and that we're trying to make new, positive steps for the Artemis House," Fischer said.

Half of Artemis House's six-member staff currently is from Butte County. Janet Fischer, manager of the Artemis Boutique in Spearfish, is from Belle Fourche. Rural advocate Mary Koens is also from Belle Fourche. She not only is the staff at the Belle Fourche office but also has regular hours Thursday afternoons in Newell and Wednesday afternoons in Whitewood at the library.

Donna Fischer said the program isn't only for victims of obvious physical or mental abuse - and the services aren't limited to women and children. Men use the services, too.

For example, Koens said, "Men will come in and say, 'She left me with the kids.'"

At Artemis House, there is help for a man to learn how to be a single parent - something many men seldom imagine happening and something Koens calls "kind of a sign of the times."

"I do the outreach and the education, and it doesn't matter your age and gender - violence is wrong for everybody. We shouldn't be hitting each other," Koens said.

Last year, the operation served 516 people. The two shelters have frequently been filled to capacity with women and children; agreements with Sturgis and Rapid City shelters have helped with the overflow.

The Spearfish shelter is licensed for 23 people, and the shelter in Lead for 5 people.

"Are we out of room a lot? Yes," Fischer said.

"If a man comes in to us, which happens, we put them up in a motel," she said. "Sometimes, we have had to do that for women, too, when we're full."

Before Christmas, both shelters filled, and they have been full until two weeks ago. Rapid City and Sturgis shelters have been full recently, too.

Artemis House is generally funded by grants from state and federal sources as well as donations and fundraisers. Donna Fischer said she hopes that eventually, the boutique will be the major source of funds.

Koens said that another role for the organization is to help people learn more about the "dynamics of domestic violence" and to work with other organizations that help families.

"We've even done emergency day care."

Koens said they have had both men and women ask for help with disciplining their children. Many people, she said, have come from violent homes and know there should be a better way. Artemis House has resources to help.

There are support groups in Spearfish, and one is planned for Belle Fourche to meet on Thursday mornings.

Artemis House helps set up support groups throughout the area it serves, Koens said.

"That's what we're about: helping people to move ahead."

The Artemis House phone is staffed seven days a week, 24 hours a day. The Spearfish phone is 642-7825, or 800-999-2348. The Belle Fourche office phone is 723-0964.

The Artemis House operation is also listed on the Rapid City and Northern Hills' 211 telephone service, which is sponsored by the local United Way and is a telephone center to help answer nonemergency needs, although it can refer people for emergency assistance.