The abandoned brick building behind The Shelter is an
eyesore now, covered in graffiti and littered with debris.
In four months, it will be a community center where the
homeless can shower, come during the day and be connected to resources.
Community groups also can use the building's open space for meetings, holiday
parties and other gatherings.
And a handful of homeless men from The Shelter have
been hired to help with the renovations.
"It feels good to be working," said Michael Howard, a
47-year-old homeless man who lost his job three years ago.
Mainline Information Systems
President and CEO Richard Kearney is spearheading the project, which requires a
complete renovation of the 4,800-square-foot building on Virginia Street. He's
leading a small army of local professionals to help out, including Moore Bass
Consulting and Dod Stone Architects.
To his knowledge, this is the first time the private
sector has partnered in a major construction project that benefits the homeless
and community.
"A lot of agencies are having to close their doors
because they don't have the support they used to have," said Kearney, a member
of the Homeward Bound Initiative that's fixed on ending the plight against
homelessness. "Homelessness is a 24-hour situation."
Once in the door, Kearney said his vision is for
homeless residents to use computers if needed, learn about available resources and have a refuge from hot or cold
days.
January's Point-In-Time Survey reveals the highest
number of homeless people in Tallahassee since the survey was first done 10
years ago. On any given day, it showed 683 people were homeless, compared to 480
individuals surveyed in 2009. Of that number, 235 men and women — 44 percent —
have been homeless for more than a year.
The annual data collected in the local Homeless
Management Information System are more telling, based on information from 12
agencies and 20 programs. There were 6,803 individuals who received services
such as shelter, free bus passes, emergency medication, food and pre-natal
care.
"We are recognizing what the community needs," said
Laurie Dozier III, president of Mad Dog Design and Construction Company, which
is donating its services to the project. "This is a population that, frankly,
needs an angel."
Kearney said his foundation purchased the building for
$225,000 a few years ago. Renovations, which began this week, will cost about
$400,000, not including furniture. But he said support from local businesses is
a testimony to how residents care about the issue.
Others agree.
"Many of the organizations that are in town are
predominately defensive in the war against homelessness. This is an offensive
operation," said Project Manager Chuck White, who's been active in local efforts
to help the homeless. "This is something where we are going to step out and try
to do something about it other than just reacting to it."
Susan Pourciau, executive director of the Big Bend
Homeless Coalition, said she likes the center's goal to inform homeless men and
women about available help, such as housing at HOPE Community and services at
ECHO Outreach Ministries. She said it will be another place advocates and others
can meet the homeless where they are.
"It would be a great place to share that information,"
she said. "It's in the collaboration where we can really move forward."
"We are recognizing what the community needs," said
Laurie Dozier III, president of Mad Dog Design and Construction Company, which
is donating its services to the project. "This is a population that, frankly,
needs an angel."
Kearney said his foundation purchased the building for
$225,000 a few years ago. Renovations, which began this week, will cost about
$400,000, not including furniture. But he said support from local businesses is
a testimony to how residents care about the issue.
Others agree.
"Many of the organizations that are in town are
predominately defensive in the war against homelessness. This is an offensive
operation," said Project Manager Chuck White, who's been active in local efforts
to help the homeless. "This is something where we are going to step out and try
to do something about it other than just reacting to it."
Susan Pourciau, executive director of the Big Bend
Homeless Coalition, said she likes the center's goal to inform homeless men and
women about available help, such as housing at HOPE Community and services at
ECHO Outreach Ministries. She said it will be another place advocates and others
can meet the homeless where they are.
"It would be a great place to share that information,"
she said. "It's in the collaboration where we can really move forward."