JUDSON CENTER & CHILD SAFE MICHIGAN TO BREAK GROUND ON MAJOR TRANSFORMATION OF ROYAL OAK CAMPUS

Centennial Capital Campaign helps agency launch its next century of service

Farmington Hills, MI – Judson Center and its affiliate, Child Safe Michigan, will hold a Groundbreaking Ceremony for the first phase of a major renovation and expansion of its historic Royal Oak campus at 13 Mile & Greenfield Road on Monday, April 6th from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

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 will include a program beginning at 10:30 a.m., featuring remarks from state and local government officials, Judson Center and Child Safe Michigan leaders, and major donors. The event will end with a photo opportunity of local leaders and project partners symbolically turning the first shovels of dirt to mark the start of construction.   

The project plan includes:

• Larger rooms, offices and zones for Child Safe Michigan and Child & Family Services programs
• 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 provideoutpatient 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 shortly after the groundbreaking ceremony and is expected to be completed in a year. The start of fundraising for the second phase of the project will be determined later.

About Judson Center
Judson Center, trusted by Michigan families for more than 100 years, is a non-profit human service agency providing expert, comprehensive services that strengthen children, adults and families impacted by abuse and neglect, autism, and developmental, behavioral and physical health challenges so they can achieve whole health, well-being, and maximum potential. Since opening its doors in 1924, Judson Center has grown to change the lives of more than 13,000 children, adults, and families each year. Judson Center has offices in Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, Wayne, Genesee, and Jackson counties. Judson Center’s headquarters are located at 30301 Northwestern Highway, Suite 100, Farmington Hills, MI 48334-3277. Learn more at www.judsoncenter.org.

About Child Safe Michigan
Child Safe Michigan, an affiliate of Judson Center, provides foster care, adoption, and mentoring services to neglected and abused children in Southeast Michigan. In addition to providing expert, comprehensive services, Child Safe Michigan offers children safety and stability that allows them to grow and thrive. The agency received the 2019 Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Child Welfare Team Excellence Award for outstanding commitment to Michigan’s children and families. For more information, visit www.childsafemichigan.org.