BEMIDJI 鈥� After seven long years of planning, and incredible generosity from the community, a new facility for the Northwoods Battered Women鈥檚 Shelter is one step closer to reality.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the shelter was held on Friday at its new location on 30th Street in Bemidji.
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The shelter, which serves victims of domestic and intimate partner violence, has long needed a new building to meet the needs of the people it serves. Over the last two years, the organization has raised $3.9 million to fund its new building.
鈥淚鈥檓 just blown away by the support,鈥� shared Chris Latzke, the organization鈥檚 executive director. 鈥淎 lot of time and energy has been put into this by so many people.鈥�
A wide array of community members were present on Friday to show their support, including members of partnering organizations, law enforcement and local government officials. Speakers highlighted that the day鈥檚 event wouldn鈥檛 have been possible without the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been working with the shelter for seven years,鈥� said Tracy Pogue, a representative of Kraus-Anderson Construction. 鈥淭here鈥檚 been a lot of work to get this day to happen.鈥�
With a crowd standing under the sun, and a line of people with special purple hard hats to support victims of domestic violence, the groundbreaking was complete as shovels hit the earth.
The new building, which will double the shelter鈥檚 capacity to 24, will feature eight separate living areas, complete with their own bathroom and kitchenette, a community great room, private rooms for intake, office spaces and a conference room.
With the shelter currently occupying a small house, the idea of having a space specifically designed for its needs and uses is something Latzke and the other staff are looking forward to seeing.
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鈥淭he biggest thing we鈥檒l have is the space to do our jobs,鈥� Latzke said. 鈥�(Right now) we just don鈥檛 have the space.鈥�
The current shelter has just two bathrooms and no space for private intake. Its multiple floors have made it difficult for those with mobility issues, and Latzke shared that it sometimes feels like everyone is walking over each other in the crowded space.
Once the new building is completed, these issues will no longer be a concern, and staff at the shelter will be able to fully focus on helping those in need.
Construction, which is being handled by Kraus-Anderson, is expected to formally begin later this week, with a timeline for completion estimated at 10 months. The current hope is that the new shelter could open in the spring of 2025.
A new shelter won鈥檛 just mean upgraded living spaces and offices, for Latzke and others at the Northwoods Battered Women鈥檚 Shelter, these improvements will mean more people cared for and supported during a time when they need that help the most.
鈥淭his new building will mean we can serve and support so many more people, we can reach so many more victims and survivors,鈥� Latzke added.
With more people helped, through staying at the shelter, receiving assistance with court orders for protection and other resources, more victims of domestic and intimate partner violence will be able to get the help that they need.
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鈥淲e鈥檙e in the business of saving lives," Latzke left off, "and it鈥檚 important for people to know that services like this are here, to know that it鈥檚 a safe haven.鈥�
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