MUSKEGO, Wis. — The General Federation of Women’s Clubs has about 1,500 volunteers across the state of Wisconsin.

In the city of Muskego, there are nearly 80 women who are a part of the Women’s Club organization who volunteer. The group recently helped make an impact on the local police department.


What You Need To Know

  • A group of women from the Muskego Women’s Club recently made an impact on a local police department

  • Tina-Marie Gauvin is a member of the Muskego Women’s Group. She also has a daughter who is a cadet at the Muskego Police Department

  • They raised money and collected donations to create a comfort room and a forensic interview room that feels more homey

  • Muskego Police Lt. Steve Johannik said having community members step up to help others on what could possibly be their worst day is inspiring to see

They created a comfort room and a forensic interview room that’s intended to feel more homey and comfortable for victims who use them.

Tina-Marie Gauvin is a member of the Muskego Women’s Group. She also has a daughter who is a cadet at the Muskego Police Department.

She said one day, she walked in to tour the station with her daughter, and noticed a room that needed a little help.

“It was like a very sterile environment.” Gauvin said while explaining the former interview room.

The room was a standard cement building room, with white walls and a few pieces of furniture.

(Spectrum News 1/Megan Marshall)

Gauvin said this gave her an idea that she knew she could accomplish with the help of her fellow members in the Muskego Women’s Club.

“I felt like we could do more,” Gauvin said. “The children in our area deserve more. Anyone going through a traumatic experience, I feel, deserves to have the blow of that trauma softened.”

In 2024, the group took over the renovations of the interview rooms for kids and others involved in sensitive or serious crimes. 

They raised money and collected donations to create the new space. Then they painted, designed art, handmade a bunch of toys and blankets, and put their touch on the room that is now filled with color and activities for anyone who walks through the door.

(Spectrum News 1/Megan Marshall)

“This is truly, a collaboration of about 10 people coming together,” Muskego Women’s Club member Nancy Dickman said. “Every time I see it, I’m just joyful to know that we’ve done this.”

The group curated toys and activities for kids of all ages to use. From infants to high schoolers, there is something for everyone in the room.

Muskego Police Lt. Steve Johannik said having community members step up to help others on what could possibly be their worst day is inspiring to see.

(Spectrum News 1/Megan Marshall)

“To have a room like this, and to have it be a more homey, comforting type of environment — besides reducing some of that trauma — it also provided a better opportunity for them to feel a little more relaxed and at ease,” Johannik said. “And to hopefully be able to help us help them during the course of the interview.”

The group of women said they hope these rooms will impact people who need to use them. The department said it has already been used multiple times since being completed.

“For me, this is a legacy thing, because that child is going to take the warmth that they felt with this and take that with them,” Gauvin said. “That is a gift that keeps on giving.”

The group said they plan to be available for the upkeep and restocking of the room to make sure the department has what it needs for victims who come in.