New battered women's shelter to break ground in Bemidji this week

More than 550 victim-survivors were turned away from Bemidji's Northwoods Battered Women's Shelter in 2022 due to a lack of space. Crews break ground this week on a new $4.1 million facility funded by grants and donations.

"I'm blown away by the community's support. Everyone believes in this and knows that it's needed," said executive director Christine Latzke. "Our business is saving peoples lives."

Plans to replace the 46-year-old facility are decades in the making. With increased capacity, Latzke said the organization will refer fewer people to sister shelters and provide more programming. Advocates are on duty 24/7 for mental health services and legal referrals and to accompany clients to court.

https://www.startribune.com/new-battered-womens-shelter-to-break-ground-in-bemidji-this-week/600365364/