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CHILDREN'S INN

Children’s Inn was established in 1977 in response to a need in Sioux Falls for an emergency shelter for children who were victims of abuse and neglect.  It opened as an unfurnished bungalow provided by Avera McKennan Hospital, and was one of the first ten abuse shelters in the United States.

Throughout its existence, the mission of Children’s Inn has been constant, though the range of programs and services to women and children who have been victims of domestic violence has steadily grown.

By 1978, staff had noticed that mothers of the sheltered children were often in need of emergency shelter themselves.  So the Inn began to accept both battered women and their children.

1989 brought the addition of support groups, a crisis hotline, and counseling services.  A landmark year for Children’s Inn occurred in 1991 with the construction of a 13-room facility, open to all victims of family violence.

In 1998, the independent boards of Children’s Inn and Children’s Home Society unanimously approved a merger of the two agencies.

In 2000, Children’s Inn assisted with the development of The Family Visitation Center, which provides a safe, supervised environment for non-custodial parents to visit their children.  Outreach services were expanded to provide on-going counseling to past clients, and support services for women at protection order hearings.  Another service added was round-the-clock availability of Children’s Inn staff to emergency rooms at both Avera McKennan and Sanford Health Hospitals to offer support for domestic violence patients.

In 2005, we expanded our building by 10 bedrooms, four (4) bathrooms, a multipurpose room, along with increased living, dining, laundry, and support space, and a more secure entrance.  The building also received a much needed facelift; old blue siding was replaced with new taupe siding.

Children's Inn is located at 409 N. Western Avenue in Sioux Falls.  For Sioux Falls residents, click here for a neighborhood map.  For people traveling from outside Sioux Falls, click here for driving directions.