BELOIT — New playground equipment for families staying in the Defy Domestic Abuse Beloit emergency shelter was installed recently, providing a safe place for survivors to engage in a positive way with their children. The shelter location is undisclosed for security reasons. DEFY is a part of Family Services of Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, Inc.

The new equipment includes two slides, an activity wall, a platform, monkey bars and two swings. It was purchased through state funding by the Department of Children Children’s grant. XL Contracting, of Roscoe, Illinois, donated the concrete needed and installed the playground equipment at no charge, using their own tools.

The playground is restricted to families residing in the domestic violence shelter, to protect their safety and confidentiality.

As part of Family Services of Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, Inc., DEFY Domestic Abuse Beloit extends to survivors of domestic abuse all the support offered by Family Services. This includes financial planning; parenting support; therapy and counseling; legal advocacy; and community outreach.

In addition to DEFY Domestic Abuse Beloit, Family Services includes the following: Individual & Family Counseling Program; Sexual Assault Recovery Program; Life Financial Solutions; Praxis Employee Assistance Program; Youth2Youth 4 Change; and The Neighborhood Resilience Project. 

Family Services is a funded partner of United Way Blackhawk Region, United Way of Green County, and the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin.