If you are experiencing abuse or violence, there is help. Please call Minnesota’s Day One Crisis Hotline at 866.223.1111
to connect to an advocate in your area.
If you are experiencing abuse or violence, there is help. Please call Minnesota’s Day One Crisis Hotline at 866.223.1111
to connect to an advocate in your area.
by Rachel Kytonen
Forest Lake Times
An area woman who spent her entire adult career serving survivors of domestic violence, while also successfully leading the charge for the opening of the first emergency domestic violence shelter in Isanti and Chisago counties, is being honored for her lasting legacy.
Roxie Karelis, who died unexpectedly on Nov. 13, 2020, at the age of 65, served as the executive director of The Refuge Network from January 2007 until The Refuge merged with Family Pathways in 2014. The Refuge, which served both Isanti and Chisago counties, provided support services to victims of domestic violence such as crisis intervention, information and referral, advocacy, court assistance, hospital and law enforcement response, support groups, community education, mediation and paralegal services and emergency shelter.
During Karelis’ celebration of life service held Oct. 16 in Cambridge, it was announced that a group of family and friends of Karelis have launched a nonprofit in her honor, called Roxie’s Hope. The mission of Roxie’s Hope is to provide financial assistance to survivors of domestic violence who are living in a shelter and transitioning to independent living.
Rachel Kytonen, County News Review
In December 2016, Gayle Cupit (third from left), general manager of City Center Market, presented a $620 check to Roxie Karelis (second from left), director of community services for Family Pathways, to help support The Refuge Network.
Roxie Karelis, who died on Nov. 13, 2020, dedicated her professional career to helping survivors of domestic violence.
The “O” in the Roxie’s Hope logo was doodled by the late Roxie Karelis. At the time of her death in November 2020, friends and family of Karelis learned she was in the beginning stages of creating a new nonprofit with a continued focus on helping people, and had drawn the flower that is serving as the “O.” This group continued Karelis’ work and has recently created the nonprofit Roxie’s Hope in Karelis’ memory.