SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Today, the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee heard legislation authored by Rep. Alicia Kozlowski (DFL- Duluth) to fund the First Witness Child Advocacy Center in Duluth. The legislation invests a $1.5 million grant for First Witness Child Advocacy Center to demolish and renovate certain buildings for use as a training center and a child advocacy center.
“First Witness Child Advocacy Center has been serving families in the Northland for nearly 32 years and their services are expanding to support child abuse victim-survivors and their families in a child-friendly setting that allows for prevention and multigenerational healing,” said Representative Alicia Kozlowski. “The funding used for reconstruction and program development will provide more space and opportunity for Duluthians and communities across the state to begin their path towards a trajectory of healing, justice, and ending cycles of violence.”
“No one deserves to experience the trauma of child abuse. First Witness and its team of professionals are grounded in dignity and compassion as they support the wellbeing of children and families in the Northland,” said Rep. Liz Olson (DFL – Duluth), a co-author of the legislation. “I’m proud to wholeheartedly support their funding request so they can continue their services, training, and other collaborative efforts toward the vision of a society without child abuse.”
The committee voted to move to the bill to the Capital Investment Committee. You can watch the presentation and testimony of the bill here.