The New Haven non-profit ‘r Kids Family Center broke ground Friday on the first phase of a $4.2 million expansion project for its 45 Dixwell Avenue facility.
The project will add a second story to the existing structure that will more than double the square footage and allow for expansion of ‘r Kids’ after-school program as well as an infant/toddler care space and family trauma center.
Founded in 1996, ‘r Kids is a state-licensed social-service agency that provides care and services to foster children and their families.
The $4.2 million project is being funded in part by $1 million in bonding through the states Department of Children & Families (DCF), $700,000 from the state’s Office of Police & Management as well as private and foundation dollars including a $250,000 gift from New Haven businesswoman and philanthropist Lindy Lee Gold. Gold also serves as honorary chair of the ‘r Kids Capital Campaign Committee.
Mayor Toni N. Harp attended the groundbreaking, along with U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal. Harp praised the efforts of ‘r Kids to “stop the cycle of disruption and dysfunction” to children affected by the breakdown of family structures. The mayor was instrumental in the creation of ‘r Kids back in 1996 when the then-state senator, working with East Shore Republican State Rep. Chris DePino, drafted legislation that provided seed dollars to create the new non-profit.
Unlike some other non-profits serving foster children, ‘r Kids does not seek to erect a barrier between their birth parents and adopting families. The non-profit pursues a “non-judgmental and inclusive approach” and actively encourages communication and constructive engagement between the two. Indeed, ‘r Kids proudly boasts “a 78-percent family reunification rate,” according to Executive Director Randi S. Rubin Rodriguez.
The project architect is the New Haven firm of Newick Architects, while the general contractor is A. Secondino & Sons of Branford.
