It’s not often that a local nonprofit can secure a seven-figure grant. But that’s the case for Southwick House after a $1 million lead gift from the Walter S and Evan C Jones Testamentary Trust.
The Jones Trust notified Southwick House administrators earlier this month. Executive Director Susan Brinkman says the award left her nearly speechless.
The move jumps the Southwick House transitional housing facility to the one-third point towards goal of $3.6 million.
Southwick House is working to build a 9,000 square-foot facility on six acres of property at 115 East Logan. Southwick House is planning to serve women and their children in the congregate areas of the home. In addition, with two non-congregate units, the agency can serve entire families as well as single-parent dads or moms with teenagers. Under its prior name of Plumb Place, the agency helped women in crisis situations through services like emergency shelter, transitional housing, case management, life skills education and therapy groups.
The current goal is to close on the property this month and begin construction early next year.
The Jones Trust, meanwhile, has expanded on its original mission of providing educational and medical support to fund needs in community development and human services for residents in Lyon, Coffey and Osage counties.
Southwick House is a United Way of the Flint Hills Community Partner, and United Way Executive Director Daphne Reed Mertens says the “impact of this gift will be profound.” Mickey Edwards, who chaired the Plumb Place Steering Committee, says, “Our community and its children and families are lucky to have the legacy of the Jones family to ensure that they can be healthy and have their needs met.”
More information is available at southwickhouse.org and the Southwick House Facebook page.
