PAVE Receives Multi-Million Dollar Grant
The State of Wisconsin has awarded $3.2 million of Neighborhood Investment Grant funds to Dodge County on behalf of PAVE (Protect. Advocate. Validate. Educate.), Dodge County’s only emergency domestic violence shelter. The Neighborhood Investment Grant funds are provided through the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and are intended, in part, to address the needs of communities through long-term investments, including shelter and housing needs of vulnerable populations. The awarded funds will enable PAVE to begin construction/renovation of their new location, which will include administrative offices, crisis counseling meeting rooms, and a larger shelter to safely house victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Dodge County.
“We are extremely grateful to Dodge County Administrator, James Mielke along with the Dodge County Board of Supervisors for always being supportive of PAVE and for recognizing the need for a new shelter by agreeing to collaborate with PAVE on the application for these funds,” said Ashley Welak, Executive Director of PAVE.
Since 1978, PAVE has been providing emergency shelter, comprehensive programming, and support for those experiencing domestic violence throughout Dodge County and more recently, northern Jefferson County. PAVE supports adults, children, and teens by offering free and confidential access to a safe and secure shelter, outreach, prevention education, and advocacy.
Over the past three years, PAVE advocates answered 3,000 calls on their 24/7 crisis hotline and provided more than 10,500 nights of refuge. They frequently operate at capacity with a waiting list and are forced to find other options for victims seeking shelter.
PAVE has operated their current shelter since 1990, but as an older single-family private residence, housing up to 22 people in five bedrooms and two bathrooms, it is grossly undersized to meet the increased demand of those in need of victim services. The existing facility cannot accommodate the expanding needs of programming, nor is it consistent with best practice in providing an appropriate environment of healing for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
After years of research on how to best provide quality trauma-informed care services and gauging the community’s support through a comprehensive feasibility study, PAVE concluded that the need for a new shelter was apparent. Welak states “Trauma-informed care is defined as practices that promote a culture of safety, empowerment, and healing. The current shelter lacks sufficient space to provide this care. Therefore, in January 2020, PAVE launched their Growing Stronger Together Capital Campaign. The timing was unfortunate with the onset of the pandemic two months into the campaign. We decided to scale back our fundraising efforts out of respect for everyone’s well-being – both physical and financial. Despite that, we were able to raise the funds needed to purchase an existing building, which will be renovated to become the new home of PAVE. In addition to the purchase of the building, donations and pledges received to date, will offset other building expenses not covered by the grant. We have been heartened by the generosity of our community and we sincerely thank everyone for their support. The funds we were able to raise, along with pledge commitments, were integral components to the application for the Neighborhood Investment Grant. It was vital to demonstrate community support for the project.”
PAVE has been working closely with WDS Construction and an architect from Excel Engineering Company. Conceptual drawings and floor plans are complete, and the project is ready for bids. They hope to begin construction this summer. The estimated overall project cost, including the purchase of the building, construction, and furnishings has increased approximately 20% from PAVE’s initial campaign goal due to inflation and cost of materials. It is PAVE’s goal to create a shelter experience that focuses on the physical, psychological, and emotional safety of victims, survivors and their families. The new facility will offer updated security, larger living spaces, and individual kitchenettes for preparing and sharing family meals. Other benefits of the new space will include a safe exchange area for co-parenting circumstances, indoor and outdoor play areas for children and accommodation for family pets, which are often used as pawns in domestic abuse situations.
Ashley Welak who has been with PAVE for over 12 years and has been Executive Director for three of those years, added, “The biggest goal I had when I took over as ED was to build a new shelter. Victims seeking emergency refuge are vulnerable and in a state of crisis. They come to us needing safe housing that promotes healing and empowerment. PAVE works tirelessly to make our community safer by working on the frontlines with victims and survivors as they navigate through the criminal justice system, understanding the cycle of violence, and assisting victims in reclaiming dignity eroded by abuse. On behalf of the PAVE staff, our Board of Directors and those we serve, I would like to thank Gov. Evers, the State of Wisconsin, Dodge County and all the businesses and individuals who have supported PAVE for allowing us to continue to serve those affected by domestic violence.”
