Cape Safe House for Women to hold ceremonial groundbreaking for new shelter

The Safe House for Women in Cape Girardeau has raised half of its $2.2 million goal and will host a special groundbreaking ceremony next month to celebrate the beginning of construction of a new women�s shelter.

�It�s a $2.2 million project, and we have raised $1.1 million. So we�re continuing on with our fundraising efforts,� executive director Jessica Hill said, �But in the meantime, the need for the new shelter is so great that we are making progress for construction.�

The building contract has been awarded to Columbia Construction, Hill said, and the Safe House is also working with The Bank of Missouri in hopes of completing the new shelter by spring of 2019.

A ceremonial groundbreaking is scheduled for 2 p.m. April 6 at Cape County Park North, across from Shelter No. 5 near the weeping willow tree, according to Hill.

�We would love for all of our supporters and community partners to join us for the groundbreaking,� Hill said. �Our board, staff and partners in the process will be breaking ground to celebrate the beginning of the construction phase.�

Hill said the Safe House has a campaign committee gathering pledges from businesses and individuals in the community for the remaining million dollars needed to fund the project. Events also are planned throughout the spring and summer to help reach the goal, in addition to the proceeds from this year�s VintageNOW fashion show, slated for October.

An annual banquet is being planned for sometime this summer �that will be another opportunity for people to get involved and support the campaign,� Hill said.

The Safe House, according to Hill, is also working to identify individuals, businesses and local foundations interested in becoming part of the effort to bring the new, larger shelter to the Cape Girardeau community.

�We are very exited about the progress of our campaign,� Hill said.

This is also the first time the organization has embarked on such an �ambitious campaign,� according to Hill.

The current shelter was purchased for $40,000 in the early 1990s when the Safe House was established, Hill explained, which was made possible by a �local, grass-roots campaign.�

�Currently, we�re only able to house about half of the people who need it in our community,� Hill said. �When that happens, when we�re full, or when someone has a disability that they�re not able to negotiate stairs, or if they have a teenage son, then we�re currently not able to accommodate them.�

Hill said in cases such as those, they must look at transportation options to other shelters or turn to clients� family members in another state, or temporary hotel placement.

Ideally, Hill said, the Safe House would like to be able to bring someone into the shelter so they can stay �right here in Cape Girardeau community� � within proximity to their work, children�s school and support system from friends and family � and rebuild their lives to then become part of the community again.

�We�re looking at going from 17 beds to 40, so we know we need double the capacity, and we�re going to be able to provide double the capacity with the new shelter,� Hill said. �We�re also going to go from about 5,000 square feet to about 15,000.�

The new facility will have 10 bedrooms, more bathroom facilities, along with a classroom, library, a quiet lounge, family lounge and a children�s playroom, Hill said.

�It�s just going to have a lot more places to be. Because right now we have a little-bitty kitchen and a little-bitty living room, and that�s it,� Hill said.

Hill said the nature of communal living could be challenging, especially when it�s compounded with the other trauma clients have experienced.

Hill said she is excited to be able to provide a quieter, more peaceful place for women and their children.

jhartwig@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3632