New family wing allows Rose Brooks Center to add beds to emergency shelter

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The rise in domestic violence led to a big need for more emergency shelter space in Kansas City. 

Tuesday, Rose Brooks Center gave 41 Action News the first tour of its new family wing, as a two year project nears completion.

Crews are putting the finishing touches on the bedrooms, laundry facility and office and meeting space. 

The added wing will allow Rose Brooks to house 25 additional women and children each night.

CEO Susan Miller says the wing was designed with families in mind with a focus on comfort and privacy.

"They can just be together as a family and that's really important,” Miller explained. “In the past several years, we've seen an increase in the number of women who are bringing children with them. And their families are large. So we want to make sure we have space for them.”

Rose Brooks Center has exceeded capacity every night since June of 2009. The shelter was often forced to turn away women and children.

The new wing is expected to open next week. 

For more information on escaping a domestic violence situation, or for information on volunteering, visit www.rosebrooks.org .