For nearly 30 years, the location of The Beaman Home Shelter for victims of domestic violence has been kept quiet. Some have questioned why the location of the new Emergency Shelter and Outreach Center are now known to the public. In fact, a large sign indicates the location of the new site on North Parker Street in Warsaw.
During the planning phase for the capital campaign to build a new shelter, the Beaman Home Board decided it would be appropriate to move forward with the new location being publicly known. In 1985 the topic of domestic violence was talked about mostly behind closed doors. Today it is openly discussed, and The Beaman Home plans to be easily accessible to anyone in need of assistance.
Taking a break from the fundraising campaign for the new Emergency Shelter and Outreach Center, Executive Director Tracie Hodson shared her thoughts. “The location of the current shelter was always considered confidential and undisclosed. When we opened in July 1985, security technology was limited and unaffordable for a small startup agency like ours. The decision to keep the Shelter location ‘secret’ was for safety purposes at that time.”
She indicated that, while The Beaman Home leaders and staff have done their best to keep the location confidential, after all these years of being in the same home and serving hundreds of families each year, the secret is out. If you don’t know where they are, it doesn’t take much effort to find someone who does know and is willing to share the information.
Beaman Home’s large number of supporters appeared at the Board of Zoning Appeals last year when they asked for a variance for the property they have purchased on Parker Street, and it was prominently covered by local media. Hodson added, “Once construction starts this summer, the needed permits will be a matter of public record as well.”
Hodson also acknowledged that technology has advanced so much that protection can be more easily maintained for the victims who stay in The Beaman Home Emergency Shelter. Board members have visited several other domestic violence shelters in our state which have gone “public” over the years and have learned from them.
“We have studied their security systems and protocols, and we will have equipment and procedures that will work well for our site,” she added. The security system for the new Beaman Home will be designed simultaneously with the design of the building allowing appropriate protection for those who come to them for help.
Hodson quickly added, “The vision for the new facility includes not only the Emergency Shelter but also an adjacent Outreach Center. Every year, Beaman Home works with hundreds of community families who may not need the shelter services, but who still come to us for guidance and assistance as they struggle to put their lives together after they leave their abusive relationships.”
Individuals who are healing from the wounds left by an abusive relationship face similar struggles, and frequently lack the support systems they once had in place. Often these families face rebuilding their lives without many of the friends and family they once relied on because breaking the ties with the abuser also means breaking ties with many of the people who knew them as a “couple.”
The new site will allow Beaman Home to have active outreach programs designed with these families and their unique needs to break the cycle of violence in mind. The board ofdDirectors recognized that such programs would mean more families coming to the facility each week for assistance, counseling and training. Knowing this, it would be unrealistic to expect the new location to remain a “secret.”
The campaign to build the new Beaman Home has reached nearly 70 percent of the $1.8 million goal. Plans call for construction to begin in late spring with occupancy expected by the end of the year. Campaign leaders encourage community members, organizations and businesses to become involved in the fundraising to enable The Beaman Home to finalize its plans.
To find out how you can become involved, contact Hodson 574-372-3503 or via email at tracie@thebeamanhome.org.