Safe House shelter plays vital role for many women and children

The Safe House for Women in Cape Girardeau held a groundbreaking Friday to celebrate the beginning of construction on a new shelter.

The new facility has been in the works for several years. The organization has raised half of the $2.2 million required for the new building.

The current shelter, the address of which is never listed publicly so as to protect the women who stay there, was purchased for $40,000 in the early 1990s, according to a recent story by Joshua Hartwig.

The new facility will increase the number of beds from 17 to 40, and the square footage will go from about 5,000 square feet to about 15,000. The new facility will have 10 bedrooms, more bathrooms, a classroom, library, quiet lounge, family lounge and a children's playroom.

Several opportunities and fund-raising events are in the works to help the Safe House raise the rest of the funds to pay off the facility. We hope you'll find ways to donate in the near future. The Safe House is a desperately needed operation for women trapped in dire and dangerous situations, looking to leave violent relationships and protect themselves and their children.

The new facility is set to open next spring.