The Wyandotte Nation Victim Services staff will be moving into a new building in November as construction wraps up this month. The Grand Opening of the Tribe’s newest building, the ‘Willow House’ (15 Council Fire Road, Wyandotte, OK 74370), will be at 2 pm Oct. 30 with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Chelsea King, Victim Services Manager, said the name of the building was inspired by tribal ancestors’ belief that the willow tree represents the perpetual renewal of life after a winter of famine.

“We felt that this was the perfect way to represent the journey our clients go through,” she said. “They often come to our program at the lowest moment in their lives, and our advocates work fiercely to show them that there is hope for the future.”

The new building will help expand the services the victim services program can provide. King said the goal of the new building was for victims to receive the services they need – all in one building – rather than having to travel multiple places for various services. The program, part of the Wyandotte Nation’s 477 Program, was also recently awarded a grant to help staff expand the legal services they can provide.

They also provide a 24/7 hotline number, the only tribal victim services program in this area that can provide crisis intervention at any time of day. The number is 877-276-0669.

Services are available for Native and non-native women, men, and children who reside within a 100-mile radius of tribal headquarters. Some of the crimes they serve are: domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, child abuse, teen dating violence, elder abuse, trafficking, MMIP, and survivors of homicide.