The Healing Sanctuary - Kristi House Children's Advocacy Center

A Compelling Idea

MUJER and KRISTI HOUSE share a long-standing commitment to women, children and families in Miami-Dade County. They are dedicated to enabling those who have endured violence, abuse and other trauma to heal, while working to prevent more victims. Their mutual devotion to their challenging but essential callings made them ideal partners to come together to establish a permanent, shared service center site in southernmost Miami-Dade that coordinates the services victims need.

KRISTI HOUSE and MUJER are purchasing a property that presents a tremendous opportunity for their operations along with ample space for other much-needed service providers offering complementary programs. The site is ideally located for maximum accessibility and visibility. It is in the midst of Homestead’s thriving commercial and civic center area. And it offers room to grow.

THE PROPERTY is located at in the heart of historic downtown Homestead, at 240 and 250 N. Krome Avenue. Along with 25,000 square feet of office/classroom space in two connected buildings and two parking lots sitting on two acres of land, the signature building on the site is a 6,500-square-foot church building, “The Sanctuary.”

The new site will serve as a beacon of healing for residents in “Deep South Dade,” a region that has been historically underserved but not without tremendous needs. As a facility co-owned by the organizations, it will alleviate the vagaries of the rental marketplace, thus enabling greater operational sustainability for the organizations. It will provide space for prevention education and training to break cycles of abuse, as well as activities to celebrate the cultural assets of the community.

An Undisputed Need

DEEP SOUTH DADE is a mix of suburban, urban and agricultural communities. It includes Homestead, Florida City and unincorporated Naranja and Leisure City, encompassing six zip codes, 33030-33035. The population of urban and rural residents represents many backgrounds, infusing the area with rich cultural and linguistic diversity. Travelers to Deep South Dade seek its authentic Mexican food, locally grown fruits and vegetables, historic and cultural landmarks and activities. A visitor will hear English, Spanish, Haitian Creole and indigenous dialects of Mexico and Central America. Deep South Dade’s dominate racial/ethnic groups (67% Hispanic; 24% Black) place great importance on family and community, both favorable factors for child and family safety and development.

But while much of Deep South Dade is burgeoning with growth and Homestead’s central core is experiencing a revitalization, many people in neighborhoods throughout the area struggle with poverty, lack of affordable housing, and high unemployment. Limited personal transportation and the sheer distance from Miami-Dade’s central core present serious challenges to accessing services.

Many of the families in the area do not have the opportunity or means to venture far from where they live. Many do not have transportation, so the site’s accessibility is a key asset. Having services within reach via public transportation or by foot will open up services to these families who traditionally do not trust mainstream programs and organizations. In the past 29 years, MUJER has established strong buy-in from residents and has earned their trust – 68% of the families served at MUJER walk in or are brought to MUJER by former clients, testament to the agency’s trust by the community.

Kristi House has a steady stream of client families seeking its services who are from the Homestead and surrounding community. While sexual abuse cuts across ethnic, racial, and socio-economic lines, it disproportionately impacts families dealing with multiple stressors like those in parts of Deep South Dade. In addition to sexual abuse, human trafficking of children and teens for sex and labor is also a significant issue in Miami-Dade and in its southernmost region. Kristi House’s Project GOLD program needs a greater physical presence in the community to effectively engage young women and men in its human trafficking programs.

All-Too-Prevalent Problems

SEXUAL AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, abuse and sex and labor trafficking affects millions of Americans each year.

About 1 in 4 women experience domestic violence in their lifetime and 1 in 10 children are sexually abused by the age of 18, and 1 in 2 children experience some type of trauma during their childhood.

Experts believe that tens of thousands of people are trapped in sex or labor trafficking each year.

The impacts of violence on survivors are long-lasting, if left untreated and unresolved. Survivors face increased risks of homelessness, unemployment, and mental health issues. Marginalized communities, including people of color and those living in poverty, are disproportionately impacted, with disparities stemming from systemic inequalities and limited access to resources.

For child-victims of sexual abuse, trafficking and trauma, the impacts can be especially severe. These children may experience difficulties in school, exhibit behavioral challenges and struggle to form healthy relationships. The effects often haunt victims for years, increasing the likelihood of social, health, emotional and financial struggles into adulthood, all of which contribute to cycles of poverty.

The Healing Sanctuary Model

The Healing Sanctuary is bringing together two leading entities in Miami-Dade who have been on the frontlines battling these tough challenges for children and families for three decades. Both independent 501c3 organizations, MUJER and Kristi House have worked together over the years as partners on major service delivery grants, on advocacy issues and on professional development training. Both organizations are dedicated to victims of violence and abuse and are highly regarded for their expertise and life-saving work. Both serve the greater Miami-Dade community with unique designations and responsibilities.

Designations for Service

MUJER is one of two certified rape crisis programs in Miami-Dade County. As a One-Stop Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center, MUJER responds to rape/sexual abuse south of Bird Road. MUJER is serving individuals who are at great risk and in great need of knowledgeable, compassionate and skilled help, with a focus on agricultural, rural and predominantly Latino communities. MUJER and its leadership have been lauded nationally for their work over the years.

Kristi House is the nationally accredited Children’s Advocacy Center for all of Miami-Dade County, responsible for providing system coordination with seven partners along with expert healing services. Kristi House’s agency-partners making up the Children’s Advocacy Center include law enforcement, the State Attorney’s Office, child welfare, the Child Protection Team, Jackson Hospital and Guardian ad Litem. Kristi House is nationally recognized for its evidence-based therapeutic expertise in treating child trauma.

Shared Values

Both MUJER and Kristi House have articulated values that are highly client-focused: safety and security, respect and dignity, empowerment and inclusivity. Both organizations place a premium on high quality, evidence-based service and have grown steadily through the years in response to community needs.

In their daily work, each organization exemplifies the importance of collaboration, partnership and community cooperation crucial to meet clients’ emotional, legal and medical needs. The organizations have essential alliances with law enforcement, child welfare, the judiciary, public schools and other service providers involved in cases.

Together, MUJER and Kristi House serve hundreds of Homestead women and children annually, a number that is certain to grow with the increased space, visibility and awareness of The Healing Sanctuary.

Property Details

Purchase Price:	$5,100,000
Property Type:	Mixed Use
Total Building(s) Size:	31,388 SF
Buildings 1 & 2:	24,811 SF
Building 2 (The Sanctuary):	6,577 SF
Lot Size:	84,801 SF
Zoning:	B-2 / B-1
Year Built:	1948
Parking Type:	On-Site
Parking Spaces:	71

Service Delivery

MUJER will relocate its staff of 22 to the project site and provide comprehensive and culturally sensitive services to 800+ sexual violence victims per year. This will include individual and family counseling; support groups; legal services; immigration services; advocacy; relocation assistance; and children’s groups.

At this new location, 10 full-time Kristi House staff members will provide therapy, family advocacy, transportation and emergency support to 220+ children and families per year. In addition, another 1,000+ adult and youth will participate in prevention education and safety programs annually.

The new site will also enable the two partners to expand programs that have been limited due to space, like Kristi House’s Project GOLD, operating the first drop-in center for sexually trafficked girls and young women in Florida. Additionally, the site will serve as a hub for education and cultural programming, expanding The Healing Sanctuary’s impact throughout Deep South Dade and the Greater Miami-Dade community.

Gathering Support

The Miami Foundation’s Open for Business program recognized this partnership’s potential and significantly advanced their vision of a shared service center site in Homestead by granting seed funding in the amount of $500,000 toward the purchase. The sellers’ asking price was $5.7 million; a final price of $5.1 million was agreed upon. Due diligence was successfully concluded in July 2024 and closing is slated for October 2024.

The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, a grant funder of both Kristi House and MUJER, provided the full purchase price for closing with very favorable loan terms. Attorneys, financial experts and real estate development specialists have provided services to MUJER and Kristi House to assist with this endeavor, many on a pro bono basis.

With the closing in mid-October 2024, capital fundraising is getting underway. A number of foundations have demonstrated a tremendous commitment to South Florida, Kristi House and MUJER through their grantmaking for many years. Foundations that have helped both organizations enhance their programs, expand services and restore lives are being asked to lead the way to make this vision a reality with major gifts toward the purchase of the property.

The partnership is also seeking New Markets Tax Credit investment. Located in the Homestead Community Redevelopment Agency zone and the hub of new activity, the property is ideally suited for incentivized private investment for community development and economic growth through the use of tax credits.

Just a block from Homestead’s new City Hall, the area has seen several successful projects preserving downtown Homestead’s unique historical and cultural charms while incorporating modern amenities and invigorating the area with activity. The Losner Park expansion, Homestead Cybrarium, Homestead Station Transit Center, Seminole Theatre revitalization and Homestead Police HQ are all part of this renewal and growth. These projects and other private sector investments encompass more than $100 million of economic stimulus over the past decade. The Healing Sanctuary will be in good company.

The site and the alliance of MUJER and Kristi House hold great promise for delivering vital services for victims of violence and abuse in southernmost Miami-Dade. The Healing Sanctuary has the potential to transform a community in great need, but with great assets and promise.