By Kris Leonhardt

MARSHFIELD – The city of Marshfield is being asked to help fund the purchase of the former transitional shelter that closed Dec. 2017.

At its March 13 meeting, Personal Development Center (PDC) Executive Director Renee Schulz approached the board with a request to kick in $80,000 to cover the purchase of the property.

“There are a lot of really, really good organizations and programs out there, a lot of very good nonprofits doing amazing things; but, I guess just for a thought, when I see the services and what we are able to do through PDC, I put us more in the category of public safety,” Schulz said. “We all want to be in a community where we don’t have violence breaking out in families and together we can make that happen.”

The request from Schulz  included $20,000 a year for operating expenses that would help sustain the facility that would provide both shelter and assistance programming for the victims of domestic violence.

PDC announced March 7 that it was acquiring the former transitional shelter from St. Vincent de Paul, who with the help of the community, created the shelter to serve those in need. The shelter is being purchased for the cost of the land value, which is $80,000.

Schulz said that the facility would need $150,000 in added security renovations and $150,000 for operational expenses each year.

PDC is also launching a public fundraising effort, as well as seeking state grants, to help fund the increased resources.

The PDC’s request will be discussed at the March 27 meeting of the Marshfield Common Council.