Golden House
The Golden House story begins in 1979 with the Brown County Task Force for Battered Women, an all-volunteer 24-hour helpline dedicated to helping domestic abuse victims quickly find safe places to stay. Responding to growing local needs, the agency was renamed the Family Violence Center, Inc., and began offering support groups, counseling, and children’s programs in addition to urgent shelter placement. The agency’s first permanent shelter came in 1984: a five-bedroom home donated by Thomas Lutsey, owner of Gold Bond Ice Cream, and named “Golden House.” The agency has grown into a comprehensive domestic violence program offering free and confidential services focused on safety, support, housing, and prevention education. The name was changed to Golden House, Inc. to reflect the organization’s positivity and pay tribute to the unwavering support of the Lutsey family. Today, Golden House operates from its newly built family residence and outreach facility providing housing, dining, and community spaces. Each year, Golden House responds to almost 12,000 helpline calls, shelters over 400 individuals, and provides over 5,000 services to over 2,500 clients.
Location: Green Bay, WI
Grant Amount: $5,000
Grantee: Culturally Specific Foods Program
“Thank you, Fox Cares Foundation, for helping us build trust and show the caring behind our services.”
Dina Borremans, Development Director, Golden House, Inc.
In 2023, Fox Cares Foundation provided a $5,000 grant that was used to support a critical element of the shelter’s dining service: the Culturally Specific Foods Program. Developed to support the deep cultural traditions of the communities they serve, this unique program keeps people from having to choose between their heritage and their well-being. “It’s not something people ask for,” notes Development Director, Dina Borremans, “but it has a huge impact providing comfort that helps them feel better about staying in a place that’s safe for themselves and their children.”