Emporia’s Southwick House is quickly closing in on its $3.6 million goal for its capital campaign to bring a new transitional housing facility to the community.
During an interview on KVOE’s Talk of Emporia Friday morning, Southwick Board President Jeremy Dorsey told KVOE the agency is roughly $300,000 away from said goal. Several events and individuals have helped to push the agency to this point, with Dorsey first giving a tremendous amount of credit to now former Executive Director Susan Brinkman.
Dorsey also says the purchase of 115 East Logan, the land at which the new facility will be constructed, from the Kretzinger Family last year helped to bolster donations, calling it an “anchor” for the cause.
As KVOE News has reported over the past year, plans are to construct a 9,000 square foot facility that will include 14 rooms and a self-contained non-congregate room to serve women and families in need. During her time as Executive Director, Brinkman had stated her intention to have work underway on the facility by springtime this year and Dorsey says that target is still well in sight, noting bids for the project may be going out early next month.
As for a completion date, Dorsey could not offer specifics on that front; however, he is highly optimistic it will be ready to go before the end of the calendar year.
If you would like to support the efforts of Southwick or would like more information on the agency, visit Southwickhouse.org.
