The State Bank of Toulon has awarded Freedom House a generous $50,000 contribution to the organization’s capital campaign for its new domestic violence shelter in Kewanee, according to a news release from Freedom House.
Freedom House is currently undertaking a full renovation of the former medical arts building at 716 Elliott St., which was donated by OSF HealthCare in December 2024.
According to the news release, the new shelter—expected to open in spring 2026—will include 40 beds and offer a state-of-the-art, client-centered environment featuring ensuite bedrooms for families, counseling and advocacy offices, a communal kitchen and dining space, and a secure outdoor playground. The shelter will operate 24/7 and be staffed by trained, certified professionals prepared to meet the needs of survivors at any hour.
Founded in 1983 by Princeton resident Nedda Simon, Freedom House serves a five-county region comprising Henry, Stark, Bureau, Marshall and Putnam counties. In addition to its 28-bed emergency shelter in Princeton, the agency provides a suite of free services, including a 24/7 crisis hotline, round-the-clock medical advocacy, legal advocacy and comprehensive counseling and psychotherapy for individuals impacted by domestic and sexual violence.
Additionally, Freedom House maintains outreach offices in Geneseo, Cambridge, Kewanee and Lacon, strategically located to ensure that residents across the region can easily access help and support.
According to Chloe Lund, the agency’s chief operating officer, Freedom House has served tens of thousands of survivors since its founding.
“One in four women and one in seven men will experience severe intimate partner violence in their lifetime,” she said. “The need for our services continues to grow.”
For more information on Freedom House, its services, and how to donate to the agency’s capital campaign, go to www.freedomhouseillinois.org.
