Image of the planned design for the new Beaman Home. (Photo provided)

After almost 30 years, The Beaman Home is making the first step of its journey to a new emergency shelter and outreach center as the remodeling of a building,  purchased in 2012 and located at 603 North Parker Street in Warsaw.

Construction/renovation of the building began on Dec. 3. The new space is much needed after operations were executed out of a jam-packed 1,800-square foot, single family home. With the old home serving over 100 individuals per year, and maxing out at about 22 simultaneous residents at one point, it became clear it was time for an upgrade. The new facility will provide 11 resident rooms, 38 beds and ons-site services for male victims, previously unavailable in the other facility.

A picture of the new Beaman Home under construction. (Photo provided)

The old space did not provide the space need to put on the programs that are both desired and needed for community member. According to Beaman Home Executive Director Tracie Hodson, “The new facility is about having space for programming and space for the people. Your journey does not end just because your 45-day stay ends, so the new facility is about providing the programming to make the guests self-sufficient when they leave the Beaman Home.”

The new facility will also provide space for new youth services, which will be important to the home’s efforts moving forward as the staff tries to break the generational cycle of domestic abuse. “Beaman home is very much about figuring out how do we help our kids so that in 30 years when new staff members come in they do not hear individuals come in as victims as adults who say they remember coming in as children with their own based parents,” explained Hodson.

Though the new facility will have a listed address, unlike the previous house, Hodson assured that there will still be an unmatched level of privacy provided. Hodson stated that when victims leave their abuser, it is interpreted as a threat to their authority. As a result, there is a 78 percent increased likelihood that victims who leave their abusers will become victims of homicide. With this in mind, the new facility will also be equipped with a new, state-of-the-art security system.

The Beaman is still seeking gifts in the form of cash or checks in order to fill the new facility with nice furniture. Necessary items that are still being sought include baking pans, mixing bowls, utensils of all sorts, baking sheets, dinner plates, cereal bowls and drink ware. Other needs include furnishing of the staff office and furniture for the resident rooms.

According to Hodson, the facility has received 87 percent of the funds necessary, with estimated $240,000 still needed. Individuals wishing to donate can contact Hodson by emailing her at [email protected] or by calling (574) 372-3503. Donations may also be mailed to The Beaman Home, P.O. Box 12, Warsaw, IN 46580.