The Caring Place, Inc. opened its new 48-bed domestic violence shelter on a private, five-acre, residential campus in Valparaiso. The 8,000 sq. ft. shelter is called a Center for Change. It contains 12 family-sized bedrooms, six shared bathrooms, a bright and comfortable children’s playroom, a large kitchen, and offices for confidential meetings with clients. All rooms and common areas are wheelchair-accessible on one main floor. There are four ADA-compliant bedrooms, each with a shared bathroom.
“Because of support from the Valparaiso city government, local law enforcement, community groups, private foundations, and many generous individual donors, all of the pieces came together to make this Center for Change,” says Joanne Urschel, board chair of The Caring Place, Inc. “Thank you for making this dream come true.”
Last month, fourteen clients and their six children moved into the new shelter. One mother commented, “That day was the first day in a long time that my toddler could take a nap.”
“This accomplishment belongs to the community,” says Mary Beth Schultz, President and CEO of The Caring Place, Inc. “At times in our lives, we are all broken—like pieces of a puzzle. And when we come together, we form something whole, healed, and complete. Thank you for being an essential piece of our puzzle. Thank you for being an essential piece of ending domestic violence.”
In January 2017, The Caring Place, Inc. board of directors began a capital campaign to raise funds for the construction of the new shelter, now called a Center for Change. One year ago, October 15, 2018, Berglund Construction broke ground for the building. October 17, 2019, they marked the significance of the occasion at a private ribbon cutting ceremony.
The Caring Place, Inc. provides service and shelter for victims of violence and their children. Through education and awareness, we empower all members of the community to live in peace. To learn more, visit our website: www.thecaringplacenwi.org or call our Advocacy Center at (219) 464-0840.