(New Beginnings APFV submission) New Beginnings APFV is excited to announce that after nearly two years of work, the organization has acquired a new permanent address thanks to a property donation from Aurora Lakeland Medical Center, Dr. Edward Kapustka, and the Grout Family Trust on behalf of Dr. David Grout (deceased). The property is located at 20 North Church Street and is the former location of an Aurora medical office.
The new property will provide much-needed relief to New Beginnings APFV counselors, staff, and emergency support personnel as well as their administration offices. New Beginnings APFV provides free and confidential support and advocacy to individuals impacted by domestic and sexual violence in Walworth and Jefferson counties. Services include crisis intervention, legal advocacy, safety planning, individual counseling, housing advocacy, children’s services, medical advocacy, support groups, and information and referral to other relevant community resources.
“This donation will dramatically improve the level of care we can provide,” said New Beginnings APFV Executive Director Suzi Schoenhoft.
“We will have better privacy for counseling, better access to emergency services, and an improved capacity to serve,” Janis Scharnott, president of the New Beginnings Board of Directors stated, adding, “It has been a long process to get here, but after 42 years, we are so thankful to have a permanent home. The fact that it was made possible by such a generous donation from Aurora Lakeland Medical Center, Dr. Kapustka, and the Grout Family Trust makes it that much sweeter. People have been so positive about the move, including the Elkhorn Police Department, Walworth County Sheriff, and the 800+ people living in Walworth County that voiced their support on our behalf when we needed it. We are fortunate to be in Elkhorn and grateful for the time, donations, and kind words. This move is a victory for us all, for our community.”
“With its long history of serving the communities throughout Walworth County, Aurora Lakeland Medical Center is pleased and proud to donate our former clinic to New Beginnings,” said Bob Miller, president, Aurora Lakeland Medical Center. “For several decades, Advocate Aurora Health has been committed to serving individuals whose lives have been affected by violence. Community safety and violence prevention continues to be a top priority within our community health strategy. We hope this gift to New Beginnings will serve as a beacon of hope to survivors and their families and ensure vital services are available in Walworth County for many years to come.” Miller continued: “As a community health organization, Aurora Lakeland Medical Center is woven into the lives of residents and neighbors. Like New Beginnings, we seek to improve the quality of life of all who live in the area. We can’t think of a better use of our former clinic than in serving this shared purpose.”
The office and counseling staff plans to move into their new Church Street location in Spring 2021.
The mission of New Beginnings APFV is to provide supportive services and advocacy for adult and child victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, and human trafficking. We also educate the community about these critical issues. We offer free support and advocacy to individuals and families in Walworth and Jefferson Counties. Our goal is to open Walworth County’s first short-term emergency shelter. To learn more about New Beginnings APFV or to donate, please visit www.newbeginningswalworth.com.
Aurora Lakeland Medical Center has been serving the Walworth County community since 1917. Located in the county seat of Elkhorn, the 64-bed hospital is home to more than 400 providers offering 44 medical specialties including cardiology, orthopedics and urology. For Women’s Health, ALMC operates the first and longest running baby-friendly facility in Wisconsin, with private labor, delivery and recovery suites. The hospital’s outstanding Emergency Department is a Level III Trauma Center, stroke-certified and chest pain accredited, with Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) who provide care and follow-up referrals for survivors of sexual violence, as well as community education. ALMC has been nationally recognized for affirming and compassionate care to help all people live well.
Advocate Aurora Health is one of the 10 largest not-for-profit, integrated health systems in the United States and a leading employer in the Midwest with more than 70,000 employees, including more than 22,000 nurses and the region’s largest employed medical staff and home health organization. A national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care, the system serves nearly 3 million patients annually in Illinois and Wisconsin across more than 500 sites of care. Advocate Aurora is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies and is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology and pediatrics. The organization contributed $2.1 billion in charitable care and services to its communities in 2018. We help people live well.
