Staff from Freedom House were presented with a donation of $5,000 from the Kewanee Rotary Club at the club’s meeting on Feb. 3.
Following the presentation, Tonya Fitzpatrick, outreach specialist, provided an update on the Kewanee Shelter progress.
Fitzpatrick showed club members several slides that featured the architectural rendition of the shelter’s layout. She also spoke about the room arrangements, the kitchen area, the dining room and areas for teens and younger children to use for studies and play. Fitzpatrick went over the security measures that will be in place, potential staffing and intake procedures when someone seeks shelter, including average lengths of stay.
“We will have room for up to 40 individuals and expect that we will fill up quickly after we open,” she said, adding that the shelter will greatly benefit those in Henry County who can’t travel to Princeton for safety. “With nearly half of those seeking services from Henry County, this second shelter will greatly enhance our ability to help survivors of domestic violence from Kewanee and surrounding towns.
Freedom House was established in 1983 by Princeton resident, Nedda Simon. It is open 24/7 and there is no charge to victims for services. The administrative office and original shelter are located in Princeton, and the agency serves 5 counties: Henry, Stark, Bureau, Marshall and Putnam. Outreach offices for counseling services are
located in Kewanee, Cambridge, Geneseo, Lacon and Princeton.
Last year, the agency was gifted the property at 716 Elliot St. by OSF Health Systems, and renovations are underway. Plans are to open early this summer.
Fitzpatrick shared with the group that the support from law enforcement has been tremendous and that Kewanee has been very receptive to having the shelter in town. She passed out literature and encouraged the audience to follow the agency on social media.
“You can watch our progress, learn more about our services, and make individual donations if you wish,” she said.
Trisha Shafer, manager, outreach/facilities, joined Fitzpatrick in thanking the group for their continued support.
“Your donation doubles as an investment in Freedom House and in Kewanee,” she said.
***Diana Whitney is the board president for Freedom House.
