Since 1977, the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center has been a lifeline for thousands of individuals and families across the Fargo-Moorhead area and beyond. For decades, we have sat beside victim-survivors in the emergency room. We have walked with children navigating abuse and supported parents managing trauma. We’ve educated classrooms, collaborated with courts, and helped people rebuild after unimaginable pain.

But over the years, we began to notice a disconnect. The very name that once made us visible—Rape and Abuse Crisis Center—had begun to create barriers. Victim-survivors questioned whether they were “hurt enough” to reach out. Community members assumed we were only a shelter. Even professionals hesitated to make referrals because the word “rape” felt too loaded for a student presentation or court handout.

We heard heartbreaking stories:
“I wasn’t raped, so I didn’t think I could come.”
“I thought it had to be a crisis to qualify.”
“I needed help, but your name made me feel like maybe it wasn’t for me.”

That’s when we knew it was time for a change—not in what we do, but in how we show up.

Today, we are proud to introduce Sollera.

Why the Change?

The transition from Rape and Abuse Crisis Center to Sollera was not taken lightly. It came from years of listening to the people we serve, working closely with staff and stakeholders, and holding space for the stories that shape this work.

We held focus groups with victim-survivors, donors, educators, and healthcare professionals. The message was clear: our services are more critical than ever—but the name no longer matched the full scope of our impact.

“Crisis” felt limiting. Many people come to us years after harm has occurred, seeking long-term healing. “Center” was confusing. We are not a shelter—we are an advocacy, education, and counseling organization. And while “rape” and “abuse” are central to the reality we confront, leading with those terms was causing potential clients to self-select out of services that could change their lives.

We are not erasing these words. We are not hiding from hard truths. But we are creating a name that opens the door instead of closing it.

What Sollera Means

Sollera is a name rooted in hope.

Inspired by sol (Latin for “sun”) and Soteria (the Greek goddess of safety and deliverance), Sollera evokes warmth, guidance, and resilience. The name honors our legacy while allowing us to grow.

This is our third logo, but a version of the sun has been part of our visual identity since the very beginning. It remains a constant—symbolizing hope, light in the darkness, and the steady presence our community can rely on.

The double “L” in Sollera symbolizes a path—representing two people walking together. Because that’s what we do. We walk beside every person who reaches out for help, without judgment, without expectation, and without conditions.

We know healing is not a straight line. It is a journey. And Sollera exists to be a consistent presence on that path, wherever it leads.

Who We Serve

Sollera supports individuals of all ages, identities, and experiences. Our work extends across Cass, Clay, Traill, and Wilkin counties, but our reach often goes far beyond. Anyone who walks through our doors or picks up the phone is welcome here.

We support:

  • Children who have experienced or witnessed abuse
  • Teens navigating dating violence, stalking, or harassment
  • Adults processing past trauma or facing current danger
  • Parents managing court-ordered custody exchanges
  • Offenders engaging in accountability and education
  • Educators and professionals seeking prevention programming

We are here for those in crisis and those in recovery. For those who just need someone to believe them. For those who aren’t sure what to call what happened—but know they don’t feel safe.

Whether harm happened five minutes ago or fifty years ago, Sollera is here.

Our Services: What Hasn’t Changed

While our name has evolved, our services remain as vital—and as free—as ever:

  • Crisis & Healing Support: Confidential counseling for victim-survivors and their families
  • Hospital Advocacy: 24/7 presence in emergency rooms for victims of sexual violence
  • Prevention Education: Age-appropriate programs in schools and community settings
  • Offender Programming: Court-ordered education that addresses the root of harm
  • Supervised Visitation & Safe Exchange: Providing safety and structure for families navigating custody
  • System Advocacy: Partnering with healthcare, law enforcement, and courts to strengthen community responses

We are also embedded in 14 community response teams, making us not only a service provider but a collaborator in creating systemic change.

Why This Change Empowers the Community

This rebrand is not about marketing. It’s about mission.

It’s about ensuring that no one rules themselves out of care because they don’t think they’re “badly hurt enough.” It’s about removing the stigma that keeps people silent. It’s about making sure our educators feel supported when we walk into classrooms. It’s about reflecting the scope and sophistication of what we actually do.

Most of all, it’s about ensuring access. Because when someone is hurting, the last thing they should feel is confusion or shame.

Now, when someone sees the name Sollera, we want them to feel warmth, trust, and possibility. We want them to know that this is a place where they will be believed, respected, and supported—no matter what their story is.

What Stays at the Core

While our name is new, our soul has not changed.

Sollera remains committed to:

  • Confidentiality
  • Nonjudgmental care
  • Equitable access for all people
  • Honest, transparent leadership
  • Treating every individual with dignity, regardless of background, need, or ability to pay

These are our non-negotiables. These are the values that will guide us as we grow.

A Call to Our Community

If you are someone seeking help—please know you are welcome here.

You do not need a label for your experience. You do not need to be in an immediate crisis. You simply need to know that you matter, and that healing is possible.

If you are a donor, a neighbor, a parent, or a professional who cares—please continue to stand with us. Your support ensures that healing is free, available, and waiting—for the people who need it most.

You may never know the name of the person you helped. You may never see their face. But you will have changed their story.

Welcome to Sollera.

The name is new.
The mission is enduring.
The invitation is open.

Learn more, get involved, or seek support at sollera.org.

Together, let’s build a community where everyone has the space to heal.