LAWRENCE — A local salon famous once for popular hairstyles including big hairdos of the 1980s, now extends ginormous dreams of an endeared child advocate. A recent opening of the renovated space, home to the Evelyn A. Gill Center for Child & Family Wellness, honored the PEI Kids founder posthumously. The new wing with an entrance at 229 Princeton Pike expanded a Gill dream, launched 39 years ago, and continued her legacy and mission to promote and maintain safe environments for all children. Scott Gill, PEI Kids Executive Director Roslyn Taylor-Dashiell, Betty Haymon, Frost Gill, Derek Gill, Adam Gill, and Jim Gill. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)Attendees enjoyed special aperitif that honored Evelyn A. Gill, co-founder of PEI Kids. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)PEI Kids Board Chair Margaret Chipowsky and (right) Executive Director Roslyn Taylor-Dashiell recalled Evelyn Gill’s passion as a child and family advocate. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)A former hair salon lists now as a welcoming safe space for children and families. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)Derek Gill, a grandson, cuts ribbon to officially open Evelyn A. Gill Center for Child & Family Wellness at PEI Kids. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)Champagne and sparkling apple cider awaited a toast of Evelyn A. Gill. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)A former hair salon lists now as a welcoming safe space for children and families.(L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)Guests saluted Evelyn A. Gill and hoped for continued success of PEI Kids. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)Show Caption1 of 8Scott Gill, PEI Kids Executive Director Roslyn Taylor-Dashiell, Betty Haymon, Frost Gill, Derek Gill, Adam Gill, and Jim Gill. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)Expand PEI Kids assists children, family and caregivers to provide prevention, intervention and advocacy programs relating to personal safety, sexual abuse and the overall well being of the child. A ribbon-cutting ceremony included sister Betty Haymon, sons Scott and Jim, plus, grandsons Frost, Derek and Adam, proud members of the Gill family heritage enriched by Evelyn Gill who passed in December 2021. PEI Kids Executive Director Roslyn Taylor-Dashiell referenced Gill as “a visionary”, who left a legacy of relentless love, concern and care for children. “This space not only begins a new chapter for PEI Kids but it’s also a new chapter for our community. Of course, we honor Evelyn Gill our visionary founder whose commitment and compassion makes all of the work we do today possible,” Taylor-Dashiell said. “The work we will be doing in this new space is really a continuation of the work we have been doing for child victims.”