County Executive Announces $2 Million Budget Initiative to Complete Construction of New Facility for Domestic Violence Victims
September 24, 2013
Casey Slaughter Becker, Office of the County Executive 608.267.8823, or cell, 608.843.8858
County Executive
DAIS Capital Campaign Still in Need of Community Support to Expand Programming Necessary to Meet Increased Need
Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced today that he is providing $2 million in his 2014 budget to Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS) to complete construction of a new, desperately needed facility and shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children.
“A new, larger shelter will ensure that more families who are living in dangerous or life-threatening situations can gain quick access to the safety and refuge they need,” said Parisi. “This investment, combined with the outpouring of community support this project has received, gives us an incredible opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives. Being a part of this effort is one of the proudest accomplishments in the two-and-a-half years I’ve had the honor to serve as your County Executive.”
Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS) has been conducting a multi-million dollar capital campaign for the last two years to raise funds for construction of a facility on Fordem Avenue in Madison. The new facility will be four-times bigger than the current domestic violence shelter and help survivors get their lives back on track and protect them from homelessness and further violence.
“Since originally announcing our plans for a new building, DAIS has experienced a dramatic increase in visibility which has resulted in more victims stepping forward to request our services. Though we knew that the need in Dane County surpassed our current capacity, we’ve come to learn that the need is much bigger than we had expected,” said Shannon Barry, Executive Director of DAIS. “This investment from the County will enable DAIS to focus our efforts on building further community support for greatly expanded programming and operations to meet this vast need.”
Barry noted that DAIS will continue its fundraising efforts in the months ahead to fund the additional programming, staff, and outreach necessary to meet the growing needs of survivors of domestic violence in our community. Dane County is home to more than 500,000 residents and DAIS runs the county’s only shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children.
Despite these challenges, DAIS has continued to expand its programs and partnerships, serving thousands of women, children, and men in Dane County.
Domestic violence has far-reaching affects on families, and communities. Children who witness domestic violence are far more likely as teenagers to be violent with their peers and dating partners, use alcohol and other drugs, run away from home, or become involved in a gang.
In Dane County, one-third of all cases law enforcement refers to the District Attorney’s office are domestic violence related, but even more cases go unreported to local law enforcement.
The one-time capital expenditure is made possible through an exception in Wisconsin State Statutes. The County Executive’s 2014 budget will be introduced to the County Board on Tuesday, October 1st.
To learn more about DAIS and how to give to their capital campaign, please visit http://abuseintervention.org/give/capital-campaign/.
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