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The Only Domestic Violence Shelter in Sioux Falls Is Getting A Bigger Building

Courtesy Photo
Ground breaking ceremony for the new facility at the Children’s Inn.";

 

The only domestic violence shelter in Sioux Falls is getting an upgrade. A groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility took place Tuesday.   

Governor Kristi Noem helped kick off the first day of construction on a new building for the Children’s Inn.  

“This ground is not just going to heal people, it's going to heal hearts, and souls and stronger families and exactly what South Dakota is about.” 

For almost six years the nonprofit has been operating at or above capacity.  

Amy Carter is the Operations Director for the Children’s Inn. She says the upgrade is needed.  

“Our current location at Western we have 40 beds and 24 bedrooms. In the new location we will have 38 bedrooms and 96 beds. Our bedrooms will be larger, so we'll be able to accommodate families better. I'm excited about that. To give people that space that they deserve while they're healing from their abuse.” 

Carter says this past year was difficult. Domestic violence cases rose in Sioux Falls. The Children’s Inn saw an increase in crisis calls but a decrease in people seeking shelter services.  

“Which makes a lot of sense, because that might be their only option was to contact us via phone versus actually being able to come in for help. But we know that between child abuse and domestic violence, that there's a lot that went on during the pandemic that we might not start to see the effects right away.”  

The new building will be located on east 8th street. It is scheduled to be finished in December 2022.