LUSK - The Lusk Council heard from a visitor seeking their support on May 6.

The visitor on the agenda was Richelle Balcazar, the director of the Converse Hope Center. This center specializes in advocacy for victims of crimes in Douglas. Converse Hope Center has a satellite office in Glenrock. Soon, Converse Hope Center will be absorbing Niobrara County’s Helpmate. Helpmate shut down less than a year ago.

“We are a nonprofit that serves victims of crime, predominately domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking,” said Balcazar. “For the last fiscal year, we have been assisting a temporary patch while the Helpmate Crisis Board tried to rebuild.”

Converse Hope Center has been assisting Lusk and Niobrara County since the dissolution of Helpmate. Last year, the center assisted in over 17 victims of crime within Niobrara County. At the time of the Town Council meeting, Balcazar and Converse Hope Center were 99-percent sure they would be taking over the advocacy of victims in Lusk and Niobrara County. In a later interview on May 12, Balcazar stated that Converse Hope Center’s absorption of Helpmate was a certainty.

“It was really our hope that the [Helpmate] board would be able to make a comeback,” said Balcazar. “Unfortunately, they were not able to do that. So, we are looking at our capacity to be able to come in and regionalize and become Converse/Niobrara region.”

The timing is not quite perfect for Converse Hope Center since their new fiscal year has just begun. According to Balcazar, some funds have been set aside to help start a new satellite center in Niobrara County. During the end and beginning of the fiscal year, Converse Hope Center begins to apply for grant funding. Balcazar said there is still a need for a larger portion to fund Niobrara County completely.

“We want to offer the same wrap-around services at the same level that we do for Niobrara County,” said Balcazar. “Just estimating startup costs, I am looking at $92,000 to $98,000. Now, I do want to be transparent with that. Many of the figures are in flux and I don’t know what is exactly available at Helpmate.”

Balcazar has been working the numbers, projecting the cost for a full-time advocate. Balcazar is already looking into insurance, office space and transportation costs.

“That is what has been written into the estimated cost,” said Balcazar. “In talking with the division of victims services, they have been able to pledge $49,000 to $95,000, which is not great. They would like to do the higher end, but with some of the changes in funding on the federal level, there are concerns most of the money will be gone.”

Balcazar laid out the amount Niobrara County will need if she is able to procure different funding.

“With that, we are looking at a deficit of about $60,000 and we will be trying to write grants. If I can get my board to use some of our reserve funding, we are still looking at a deficit of around $29,000,” said Balcazar. “So, that is one reason I am coming to you today. I am coming to see if there is any available funding available.”

Some of the current challenges in creating a budget for Niobrara County, according to Balcazar, will be insurance, office space, travel pay, and shelter space. However, the Helpmate board has been in communication with the Lusk Housing Authority concerning the provision of office space and a shelter space. According to Councilman Tom Dooper, the office space and shelter space has been approved.

“I was wondering if there would be a vehicle that could be donated in kind,” said Balcazar. “I noticed one thing about Niobrara County law enforcement is there has been several requests for transporting victims. My concern is we have two other vehicles we use. Purchasing a new vehicle would just increase the costs.”

During the 2025 fiscal year, Converse Hope Center provided 17 victim’s needs, 464 services, 17 transports, and 22 shelter nights. Some of the overnight stays were in a motel rather than in a shelter space. Balcazar said there has been about $9,000 worth of victim expenses.

“We have noticed a lot of the need is just getting people into housing here,” said Balcazar.

Balcazar plans to build and grow responsibly. According to Balcazar, the satellite center in Glenrock began slowly.

“I want Niobrara County to have stability with our services. We would start small and build up,” said Balcazar. “It would be a lot like what we did with our Glenrock program.”

Balcazar is hoping to hire someone from Niobrara County. She hopes to hire the most qualified candidate. Training for the newly hired advocate would be in Douglas. Converse Hope Center could change its name to be inclusive of Niobrara and Converse County.

Balcazar asked the council to help with $10,000 to $20,000, which could be applied to the $29,000 deficit. Balcazar said the center is not looking for a blank check. It is Balczar’s hope to have the Niobrara County office open by July 1. The office would be open one day per week. Balcazar will not know about available funds until October.

Town Attorney Denny Meier explained to the council they could not just donate public money, which is not the town’s money. Meier said that such a contribution would have to be a budget item. He suggested the formation of a joint powers board with the county to help the services rather than calling it a donation. Mayor Doug Lytle asked Balcazar how the city of Douglas managed its funding for Converse Hope Center.

“The Converse County, city of Douglas and town of Glenrock all have what they call ‘aid to other’,” said Balcazar. “I don’t know how exactly that fund is made available, but I will check into it.”

“I think what we need is to meet with the county and possibly have a joint powers board,” said Mayor Doug Lytle. “Helpmate has been vital for our town. There are some people that have no place to turn. I think if we can get together with the county, we can get that accomplished. I think we’ll be able to figure something out. I believe we will have people that will be advocates.”

Balcazar will be meeting with the Niobrara County Commissioners next.

“From the Town of Lusk, I want to thank you for taking this on,” said Lytle.

If anyone would like to volunteer to be a victim’s advocate or donate, please visit Converse Home Center’s website at www.conversehope.org.

The next Town of Lusk Council meeting will be June 3 at 5 p.m. at the Town Hall.