Campaign committee for the new Beaman Home Emergency Shelter and Outreach Center will host an Open House on Tuesday evening, Nov. 5, at the new site on North Parker Street to help community members better understand the plans for the facility.
From left are Tracie Hodson, Beaman Home executive director; Max Courtney, campaign co-chairman; Lori Richcreek, Sandi Brill and State Rep. Rebecca Kubacki, committee members; Sue Creighton, campaign co-chair, Diana Macnak and Debbie Yingling, committee members. (Photo provided)

Beaman Home’s campaign to raise $1.8 million for its new Emergency Shelter and Outreach Center has already raised $1.2 million from grants, business and individual donations.  Committee members are now appealing to the community to finalize the fundraising and Catch the Vision of the spacious and updated center.

This campaign is the first time the Beaman Home has requested capital assistance in its 28-year history. Those interested in making a gift may mail their donations to The Beaman Home Capital Campaign, P.O. Box 12, Warsaw, IN 46580. Organizations desiring a presentation about the Beaman Home and its plans for the new site or wishing to organize a fundraising activity may phone 574-372-3503 or email [email protected].

Campaign committee members will be hosting an Open House on Tuesday evening, Nov. 5, at the site of the new facility at 603 N. Parker St., in Warsaw, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The Beaman Home has outgrown its existing donated 1,800-square-foot home where area domestic violence victims have been served since 1985.

Campaign co-chair Sue Creighton indicated that the new expanded Center will allow the organization to combine multiple sites into one space thereby reducing the operating expenses of separate sites currently in use.

Initial construction preparations are in progress and donor, potential donors and interested community members are encouraged to attend to learn more about the project. Plans for the new facility will be shared and representatives from Scearce Rudisel Architects and D J Construction will join staff and board members, a former client and campaign committee members to help attendees understand the changes and additions that will be taking place at the site over the next year.

The Beaman Home opened in July 1985 to a victim waiting on the front porch. It has not been empty since and is often completely full. This past year over 3,000 shelter nights were provided to 150 victims staying in the Emergency Shelter. Women comprised 45 percent of the victims sheltered and 54 percent of those served were children. About 1 percent of the victims were men.

In addition, 117 crisis calls were answered on the Crisis Hotline at 877-725-9363. The Beaman Home’s trained staff provided various types of assistance to over 1,000 domestic violence victims in Kosciusko County each year. In addition, 103 volunteers assisted by providing 4,700 hours of service.

“It’s unfortunate that statistically 1 in 4 women will experience violence in her lifetime. Sadly many of these victims have children who are either directly or indirectly witnessing abuse in their home,” noted Max Courtney, campaign co-chair. “Once they finally find the courage to leave the tumultuous abusive life they’ve been living, they need a safe haven in which to escape. It’s imperative that they have a secure, efficient, functional space to heal and learn skills needed to live their lives violence-free.”

Executive director Tracie Hodson added, “Our intent is to enlarge both the residential and non-resident programs of the Beaman Home thereby eliminating resident over-crowding while still providing exceptional confidential client assistance.  This new facility and our planned program enhancements will enable us to help clients achieve independence from domestic violence.”

More information about the Beaman Home and its services can be found at www.thebeamanhome.org, www.facebook.com/TheBeamanHome or by calling 574-267-7701.