Next Steps Center Holds Ground-Breaking Ceremony in Beloit

The center will offering case management, counseling and child care for those who can’t find affordable housing and seeking to transition to a life of economic self-reliance.

“I can’t think of a more appropriate location than the former Royce School,” said Family Services of Southern Wisconsin President and CEO Kelsey Hood-Christenson. “This building will be filled with families once again.”

She noted the center is the result of several partnerships. Community Action of Rock and Walworth Counties will provide daycare services to up to 70 children in the neighborhood.

The center will have 18 fully furnished apartments and serve families throughout Rock County.

The program model would provide housing and assistance for families for up to two years as they are transitioning to self-sustainability.

Also, the City of Beloit and Rock County provided $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the center. Family Services is heading up a fundraising campaign with the goal of raising $3.6 million to support the project.

“When Family Services started down this path, it was out of a. deep concern about the shortage of affordable housing and child care,” Hood-Christenson said.

Marc Perry, executive director of Community Action of Rock and Walworth Counties, said the center will open doors of opportunity for many families.

“It is going to be life changing for the people involved and transformative for the community,” Perry said. “Everyone deserves access to opportunity.”

Beloit City Manager Jerry Gabrielatos said the project is a prime example of adaptive reuse, transforming a former school into a transition center for families who are struggling. He said he and the city staff hear about the burdens of seeking affordable housing and quality day care every day.

State Sen. Mark Spreitzer said the center will meet crucial needs in Rock County.

“We know there is a critical need for this project,” he said.

Designed as an innovative new approach to addressing individual and family needs, Next Steps will provide comprehensive services aimed at breaking the cycle of generational poverty while promoting community unity. The center will offer critical services, including case management, mental health therapy, children’s services, and financial counseling.

Hood-Christenson said she hopes construction will be done in January of 2025 and the first families will be utilizing the center by March of 2025.

“But, you know it’s construction, so you never really know,” she said, noting there may be hiccups in the project along the way.

Gilbank Construction is the contractor for the project and Angus Young is the architect for the center.

For more information about the Next Steps Family Resilience Center and how to support this initiative, please visit www.familyservices1.org.