Residents raise concerns over women’s shelter

By Jennifer Eisenbart

Editor

A proposed women’s shelter in Burlington by the Women’s Resource Center of Racine has floated under the radar through the discussion stage for close to two years, according to Sherry Hartog.

Even in August, when the proposed shelter was announced publicly, Hartog – the director of services for WRC in Western Racine – said that no objections were raised.

But now, as a final location for the shelter is being discussed – with that location being near one of Burlington’s elementary schools – the objections seem to be coming out of the woodwork.

Burlington resident Bob Grandi is speaking out against the idea of another shelter in Burlington, and added that the location on Amanda and Kendall streets near Cooper Elementary School is a problem.

Mayor Bob Miller wasn’t sure if the issue had even gone to City Council – city staff confirmed it had not – and City Administrator Kevin Lahner said a number of meetings have yet to be held to finalize the process.

“All I know right now is that there’s an interest from the Women’s Resource Center to buy a building, and there may be some concerns about its location,” Lahner explained.

WRC Executive Director Cherie Griffin said the mayor indicated support of the project when discussion began in April.

Griffin said finding a building that fit the group’s needs was a “long wish list,” but the building on Amanda Street fit the bill. An offer has been signed, and the closing date on the property is Dec. 1.

“Our goal is to rehab as much of the property as possible in December and January,” Griffin said, adding that staff would be in the building in December.

A schedule of town-hall type meetings is already set to discuss the shelter – and the WRC is close to closing on the property on Amanda Street. The building will house services and programs, with about four to five rooms being used as temporary shelter.

Complaints like those coming from Grandi, Hartog explained, are coming in at the 11th hour.

“There may have been many options a year and a half ago,” Hartog said. Now, with the purchase process nearing completion, she is frustrated by the sudden complaints – and by what she feels is an underlying sentiment of “not in my back yard.”

“It was relayed to me and my supervisor that we had enough poor people in Burlington, and we didn’t need anymore,” Hartog said. “I say domestic abuse is not a poor issue. Domestic abuse is a power and control issue.”

In a letter to the Standard Press this week, Grandi questioned both the need for another shelter and its location. In a telephone interview on Tuesday, Grandi said the Transitional Living Center in Burlington has been accepting domestic abuse victims when need creates an overlap of services, he added.

“TLC has the ability to take on more people,” Grandi said. He also said that TLC accepts people who commit to their program, and accountability is part of that – and is not a part of the program at the shelter in Racine.

TLC and the Women’s Resource Center are two programs independent of each other, with different philosophies.

“(We allow people to) heal in a manner that best suits them,” Hartog said. The program does not have the structure of the TLC homelessness program, but is addressing domestic violence more than financial issues.

“The reality is that one in four women and one in eight men … are victims (of domestic abuse),” Hartog explained.

Hartog views that flexibility as a positive portion of the treatment, though she did acknowledge that some of those who seek help from the WRC have issues such as chemical dependence and poverty.

That said, she also wants it known that women and children need the help regardless of their economic status or personal issues.

The location of the shelter near a school, she argued, didn’t necessarily increase or decrease the chances of problems.

“I don’t know that the risk is any greater (than other violent situations),” Hartog said. “This stuff happens all around. It doesn’t only happen where shelters are.”

Hartog explained the property would have security cameras installed, as well as shatterproof glass and doors and redone landscaping to ensure the safety of the occupants.

Griffin stressed the security that would be put in place, and also that law enforcement would have an increased presence.

She also added that the center has received support from community members as well.

“We’re going to focus our attention on the people who have always believed in us,” she added. “We have to have equitable services, and that means what is east of (I-94) is west of the I as well.”

The WRC has scheduled meetings to inform the public about the shelter and its purpose. The first is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. for families with students enrolled at St. Mary’s, St. Charles and Cooper – all within close proximity.

While the site near the schools is top on WRC’s list, the final site has yet to be determined.

A general meeting for the public is set for Monday, Nov. 17, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Burlington Public Library.

There are also meetings scheduled for Norway, Union Grove, Rochester and Waterford in the coming month.