Recognizing Domestic Violence

Board members Rogers Grigulis, Jay Sorensen, Irma Kalnina, and Rita Kremere (left to right) take the opportunity for a ceremonial groundbreaking at the family shelter site.

The Kids First Fund has committed to a partnership with the Latvian Children's Fund to establish a residential shelter for abused children and their mothers in the Latgale region of Latvia in the town of Rugaji. As part of its commitment, the Kids First Fund will provide up to US$200,000 for the development of the new shelter. Total construction costs of the new building will be $1.4 million with the remaining funds contributed by the Latvian Children's Fund and the German Christian Children's Fund.

The two-story structure will accommodate a minimum of 30 mothers and children in 14 private bedrooms. The ground floor will include administrative offices, therapy rooms, and an inside playroom/gymnasium. The ground floor will also feature a conference room that can be used as a children's activity room and a place for older children to do homework. Living quarters for mothers and their children will be on the second floor (or the first floor in European terms). This floor will feature more than one family lounge area, a dining room, bathrooms, and accommodations for nighttime shelter supervisors.

Rugaji, in the Balvi district, is the host municipality for the family shelter. The village has provided a considerable piece of land for the building, which will also accommodate an outside play area, basketball court, parking lot, and excellent grounds for self-sustaining vegetable gardens. The building will be heated by a wood-fired furnace using the plentiful wood supply of the region. The family shelter is within walking distance of local schools, shops and a church.

Construction of the family shelter is planned to begin during Spring 2008 and should conclude within 12 months.