By Kris Leonhardt/Shane Fitzsimmons
Press Times staff
GREEN BAY – On Nov. 1, the Golden House Donald J. Schneider Family Residence Center and Mulva Family Foundation Outreach Center cut the ribbon on a new facility that will increase its capacity to serve victims of domestic abuse.
Golden House’s On the Rise campaign raised over $8 million to fund the $10.1 million, 34,000-square-foot facility on University Avenue, which will double its capacity.
The facility was constructed on the same footprint as the previous facility and includes 20 private client rooms with its own bathroom.
“We went from a 15,000 square footage, 11 bedroom, to a brand new 35,000, 20-bedroom facility,” said Golden House Executive Director Cheeia Lo.
“Our previous building has shared communal living space and shared bathrooms. I’m really excited to announce that all of our residents will have their own bathroom and a little kitchenette area. We created a space for families to come and heal while at Golden House. We know that leaving an abusive relationship is one of the hardest times in their life, and at Golden House, it is our mission to provide a trauma-informed safe space for families and individuals to come.”
Lo said that in the last year, staff has seen an increase in individuals coming in for services.
“Right now, we have provided shelters to over 333 families. Last year, we were at 310 families. So, the need is there in our community.
“We are averaging about 1,000 hotline calls a month. At a time when people should be safe, they’re not safe in their own home. The individuals that come to Golden House, they do have a home, they’re just not safe in their home.”
The campaign still has a little over $2 million to raise, of the $10.1 campaign, to meet costs.
Lo said that the facility should be completely opened by the end of the month to start serving clients.
For more information on the campaign, visit Ontherisegb.com.