SOS Executive Director Connie Cahoone and Child Advocacy Center Director Lucas Moody updated the Lyon County Commission on the purchase of a new building, capital campaign and renovations during a meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse.
SOS offers services in four separate locations — three of which are rented. They recently purchased 1420 C of E Dr., which currently houses KVOE. Cahoone said the radio station will remain in the building.
The rest of the building will be renovated to house all SOS staff and services.
“This is something that we’ve wanted to do for years,” Cahoone said. “We had a woman come in not too long ago who had a young child on her hip, holding the hand of another one and had tears in her eyes and said, ‘I need to get a protection order.’ I had to look at her and say, ‘I’m sorry, but you’re in the wrong location. We can help you, but you have to go somewhere else.’”
Cahoone said people seeking assistance in domestic violence situations may not always have the strength to get back in the car and go to another location for help. By housing all staff and services under one roof, she said SOS will be able to help more people.
(Read more: Emporia Gazette)