Centennial Capital Campaign helps agency launch its next century of service
Farmington Hills, MI – Judson Center and its affiliate, Child Safe Michigan, held a Groundbreaking Ceremony on Monday, April 6th for the first phase of a major renovation and expansion of its historic Royal Oak campus at 13 Mile & Greenfield Road.
The project is funded through the human service agency’s Centennial Capital Campaign, which has raised $8.5 million of its $9.5 million goal.
“We are beyond excited about the start of construction on this highly anticipated undertaking,” said Judson Center President & CEO Lenora Hardy-Foster. “The transformation of the campus will enable us to expand services to 900 additional children, adults and families every year. This project reflects our commitment to meeting the urgent needs of the community and building the next century of providing unwavering care.”
The Royal Oak location is where Judson Center began in 1924 as the Detroit Baptist Children’s Home. Today, the agency operates in six counties with programs for children, adults and families in autism, behavioral and primary healthcare, disabilities services, foster care, adoption, and mentoring.
The groundbreaking ceremony attracted 150 people and featured remarks from Judson Center Board Chair Dr. Pauline Furman; State Rep. Natalie Price; Deputy Oakland County Executive Madiha Tariq; Royal Oak City Commissioner Brandon Kolo; The Carls Foundation Executive Director & President Elizabeth Stieg; Judson Center Board Members Tricia Ruby, John Carter, and Mike Kirk; and clients’ family members who told emotional stories about the impact of Judson Center and Child Safe on their lives. The program ended with the symbolic first shovels of dirt to mark the start of construction.
The Master Plan for the campus renovation and expansion includes:
- Larger rooms, offices and zones for Child Safe Michigan and Child & Family Services programs
- Additional spaces for Autism Connections program
- Visitation room suite for Foster Care and Adoption Services
- Creation of an on-site Behavioral Health Clinic
- Addition of a Ring Road for easier access to facilities
- Flexibility to allow for program growth
“Our Master Plan will transform the campus into a more functional site that meets the demand for integrated care,” said Hardy-Foster. “It will enable us to provide outpatient substance use disorder treatment, behavioral and primary healthcare, vocational services for people with disabilities, autism services, and foster care, adoption and foster youth mentoring at that one location.”
The Judson Center Centennial Capital Campaign Committee is co-chaired by Judson Center Board Members John Carter and Tricia Ruby, and Child Safe Michigan Board Co-Chair Keith Pomeroy.
“This is Judson Center’s first major Capital Campaign in its 100-year history,” said Judson Center Chief Development Officer Scott Trudell. “We received three $1 million gifts from The Carls Foundation, the State of Michigan, and an anonymous donor. Plus, our board and executive team members donated $1.2 million. We are incredibly grateful to all our financial contributors for supporting our legacy and mission.”
Engineering and architecture firm Stantec, Nowak & Fraus Engineers, Cadaret Architecture, and Gilbane Building Company have collaborated with Judson Center and Child Safe on the creation, construction and management of the renovation project.
Construction will begin right away and is expected to be completed in a year. The start of fundraising for the second phase of the project will be determined later.
