MERRILLVILLE – Domestic violence is a delicate health concern that requires the support and compassion of an entire community. On Tuesday, Centier Bank continued its longstanding support of The Caring Place as associates presented a $25,000 donation to support the construction of organization’s new $2.8 million facility.
“The Caring Place has been an important resource for thousands of women and children over the years, and we are thrilled to see they are able to help more people in need with a project like this,” explained Mike Schrage, President and CEO of Centier Bank. “Culture and values come first at Centier, and we are proud to be involved in this milestone project that will safeguard victims of domestic violence for decades to come.”
The Caring Place is a nonprofit social service organization serving victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Lake, Porter, and Starke Counties. Currently, The Caring Place operates a 24-bed, 3,000 square foot shelter in Northwest Indiana. The new 8,000 square foot facility will double capacity to 48 beds, allowing the organization to serve more women and children in need. Centier’s donation of $25,000 will allow The Caring Place to construct one of the rooms in the new facility.
“Without the support of community-focused organizations like Centier Bank, we would not have been able to help so many over the years,” said Mary Beth Schultz, Executive Director of The Caring Place. “This donation is going directly to putting a roof over the head of thousands of victims of abuse in the coming years. Thanks to Centier’s contribution, we are now closer to our goal of opening our new facility.”
Established in 1977, The Caring Place has been a safe shelter for women in Northwest Indiana. In addition to the shelter, The Caring Place provides services including awareness and educational opportunities, support groups, advocacy, support, legal counseling, and more.
“We understand the importance to create an environment for people to feel happy, fulfilled, and above all – safe. A strong foundation and a sense of safety are extremely important, and that is why we are proud to support The Caring Place,” said Anthony Contrucci, Vice President of Community Relations and Business Development. “If you cannot feel safe at home it is hard to feel safe anywhere. The Caring Place is that support system in our community and that is why the Schrage and Centier family are pleased to be able to aid in their mission of providing a safe environment for the women and children of our community.”
To learn more about The Caring Place, visit http://thecaringplacenwi.org/. For more information on Centier Bank, visit https://www.centier.com.
