The Children’s Safety Village of Belleville is taking another major step toward bringing its new Community Safety Village to life with the appointment of local business owner Amber Lucas as Capital Campaign Manager.
Lucas will lead the capital campaign supporting the development of the new Community Safety Village planned for Belleville — a project envisioned as an accessible, multi-generational destination for hands-on safety education, community programming and learning.
For Lucas, a local entrepreneur, nonprofit leader and community advocate, the opportunity is deeply personal.
“This is my community. I grew up in this area, I’m raising my family here, and I can see what this Village has the potential to become,” said Lucas.
“We’re not simply building a new facility. We’re creating something that can serve this community for generations. That’s what makes this project so exciting.”
Lucas is the founder of Press Play Café in Belleville and Quinte Little Theatre, and brings experience in community development, nonprofit leadership, partnership building, sponsorship, advocacy and turning ambitious ideas into active community spaces and programs.
She has also been recognized as a Bay of Quinte 40 Under 40 recipient and through multiple CommunityVotes Belleville accolades and Quinte Business Achievement Award nominations.
Rachelle Baldock, Executive Director of the Children’s Safety Village of Belleville, said bringing a dedicated Capital Campaign Manager on board represents an important milestone as the organization prepares for one of the most significant projects in its history.
“This project is about creating something that will serve our community for decades to come, and having the right people around the table is essential,” said Baldock. “Amber brings tremendous energy, strong community connections and a genuine passion for this region. As we move toward our campaign goal, her leadership will help us strengthen partnerships, engage community leaders and turn the vision for the new Community Safety Village into reality.”
“We know a project of this magnitude cannot be built by one organization alone. It will take businesses, donors, first responders, educators, municipalities, service clubs and community members working together. We are incredibly excited to have Amber helping us bring those people together.”
The new Community Safety Village will build on the legacy of the Children’s Safety Village while creating opportunities to expand how safety education is delivered throughout the region.
The vision extends beyond traditional children’s safety programming, with opportunities for children, youth, families, adults and seniors to learn practical safety skills in an engaging, hands-on environment.
The project will also create new possibilities for collaboration with first responders, educators, businesses, community organizations and other partners throughout the Bay of Quinte region.
“One of the things I love most about this project is how many people can see themselves in it,” said Lucas.
“A first responder will see one opportunity. A teacher will see another. A parent, a local business, a builder or a community organization will see something completely different. There is room for all of those people in this story.”
The project is currently in the leadership phase of its capital campaign, with work happening behind the scenes to strengthen partnerships, develop funding opportunities and build the foundation for the next stages of the campaign.
