The new location has nearly twice the number of beds as the old shelter in the Franklin House on East Franklin Street in downtown Troy. The move from downtown to Crescent Drive occurred earlier this month.
The Franklin House offered 22 beds for women and children. The new shelter has 20 beds in one wing for homeless women and children and 20 in another wing for women victims of domestic violence and children.
The shelter is run by Barb Holman, the daughter of Barbel Adkins.
“I am extremely excited about the move. It has been a long time needed. We literally have been working in overcrowded conditions which has affected morale for both staff and clients alike,” said Holman, shelter executive director.
In the old shelter, one bathroom served all residents.
The nonprofit shelter so far has raised $2.1 million out of a $2.3 million goal for the project, whose final cost will be around $2.8 million. Fundraising continues with hopes of meeting the $2.3 million goal,
“I am confident that the new facility will generate a new found enthusiasm for everyone,” Holman said. “Confidentiality and safety will definitely be improved upon as well. I am optimistic that the new location will strengthen our services all around.”
The new shelter features a large kitchen and dining room, a quiet room for older residents staying at the shelter to get away from an often more hectic environment with children, a special children’s study room, a playhouse area with chalkboard covering one wall and an outdoor courtyard.
The support for the project was broad-based across the Miami County community, said Ruth Jenkins of Troy, a long-time shelter board member who coordinated fundraising.
An agreement to purchase the Franklin House has been reached but the sale is not yet final. Proceeds from that sale will go toward the construction costs, Holman said.
HOW TO HELP
Anyone interested in donating to the project can do so in one of several ways, she said. Among them are:
- Send a check to the Family Abuse Shelter, 530 Crescent Drive, Troy, 45373
- Stop by the new location and say they would like to donate
- Or, donate through the shelter’s new website at familyabusesheltermc.org.
The Family Abuse Shelter also operates the Buckeye House for homeless men in Troy.
More information on the shelter and how people can help with donations also is available on the website.
Contact this contributing writer at nancykburr@aol.com