CASDA nears goal for new shelter

The Center Against Sexual & Domestic Abuse has raised enough money to begin renovations on its new building.

CASDA has raised $900,000 toward the renovations. That’s 75 percent of the way there as they hope to raise a total of $1.2 million. CASDA had its offices and shelter at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, but has now moved to the Essentia Health building on 21st Avenue East in Superior.

Director Kelly Burger says they haven’t had to interrupt any services, but space is tight.

“Our emergency shelter program had to relocate to an undisclosed location, a three-bedroom house. We were at the university running an eight-bedroom facility and we had to drop down to a three-bedroom facility during the renovations.”

Burger is optimistic they will finish the fundraising soon. “We’ve had great support from our community. In my 22 years at CASDA, we’ve seen the community rally together always for CASDA. And I see that as being no different for this campaign. It’s been very great to see that you know they understand that unfortunately these services are needed and are vital to this community.”

Burger says the shelter remains busy throughout the year.

“What we see is at the beginning of the year is when it usually gets a lot busier. It seems that moms tend to wait to leave until after the holiday season, which makes sense. She doesn’t want to uproot the kids from the normal expectations of being home for Christmas and the holidays. So, we do see an increase usually at the beginning of the year.”

Some of the big donors include ALLETE, Charter Films, Essentia Health and private contributions from citizens.

Renovations are expected to be done in February.

Wisconsin Public Radio can be heard locally on 91.3 KUWS-FM and online at www.wpr.org.

Tags: news, family, superior, money, crime