Victim Center plans new HQ at Volt building

The Victim Center Inc. is planning its new headquarters at a building that's currently home to a Volt Credit Union branch.

The nonprofit's new headquarters, at 815 W. Tampa St. near downtown Springfield, would increase its space by 50% to help adult and child victims of violent or sexual crimes, according to a news release. Volt recently announced plans to move the branch to 2440 N. Kansas Expressway; Volt is planning to open its branch in November, and The Victim Center is scheduled to move into the Tampa Street building next spring.

“This facility is more than just a building,” Victim Center Executive Director Brandi Bartel said in the release. “This facility represents healing and a more hopeful future to those who are in their darkest hour. I am humbled by the community’s support of this project and the opportunity we have to help more hurting people.

"During stressful and uncertain times, it is a good feeling to have something to celebrate as a community.”

The Victim Center already has raised 86% of its roughly $1.3 million budget to renovate the building. Donors include O’Reilly Automotive Inc. (Nasdaq: ORLY) and the O’Reilly family, for which the building will be named after.

Additionally, Kurt and Sherry Hellweg of the Darr Family Foundation will match up to $250,000 in donations, according to the release. The Mabee Foundation also plans to contribute $35,000.

The 8,000-square-foot building renovation project is slated to begin in January 2021.

The Victim Center last year served a record 4,657 victims, with its services increasing by more than 87% in the past 10 years, according to the release. Bartel said via email the nonprofit has an operating budget of nearly $1.2 million, 24 employees and 100 volunteers.

The nonprofit currently operates at 819 N. Boonville Ave.