The Selig family has gifted $2.5 million to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, to be used toward the Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee.
The Peace Center, a 78,000-square foot facility that will cost about $21.2 million, is scheduled to open in 2016. It will offer services aimed at domestic abuse victims through both a child advocacy center and a family justice center.
The center, at 619 W. Walnut St. in Milwaukee, will include a shelter for victims, a law enforcement services space, medical and social services, legal services, district attorney services, mental health and AODA counseling, job training and faith-based services.
“The new center will end the splintered approach that has made it difficult for battered women and abused children to receive needed care and bring their abuser to justice,” said Carmen Pitre, executive director, Sojourner Family Peace Center.
A state grant of $10.6 million was awarded to the project in June 2013, and the private sector will fund the remaining amount.
Bud Selig co-founded the Child Abuse Prevention Fund in 1987, which offers financial support for primary child abuse prevention projects across the state. The Seligs’ gift to the Sojourner Family Peace Center will be used to expand prevention, identification and treatment of child abuse; professional and community education; child trauma therapy; foster children health screenings; and Project Ujima, which focuses on youth abuse victims’ needs. It will also incorporate the Child Abuse Prevention Fund and a Child Abuse Pediatrics Fellowship Program.
“The Selig family has made a profound impact by providing a voice for many of Milwaukee’s most vulnerable children and families in our community,” said Peggy Troy, chief executive officer, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. “We are so grateful for the Seligs’ long-standing dedication, which allows us to ensure children in Milwaukee and other parts of the state receive the best care possible and gives hope to families and children who are victims of domestic abuse.”
“Children and families for generations will benefit from the work done by Children’s Hospital and Sojourner to prevent and treat domestic abuse,” said Gov. Scott Walker. “We are committed to helping our most vulnerable citizens, which is why we included over $10 million in the most recent budget to partner with Children’s Hospital and Sojourner on this project. The Selig family’s generosity brings further attention and funding to this issue and is a wonderful gift to our community.”
