After years of planning, design, fundraising, and months of renovation, Homeward Bound’s newly remodeled AHOPE Day Center is finally making its debut.
On Friday, February 5, Homeward Bound staff and volunteers moved equipment and supplies stored in pods into the new facility to get ready to reopen on Monday, February 8.
AHOPE, built in 1998 to hold 50 folks a day, last year served an average of 176 people a day. It has needed upgrades and repairs for years. Homeward Bound engaged Architect Carlton Collins and contractor Beverly-Grant, Inc. to head up the facility’s design and construction and it was finally completed this week.
AHOPE, Western North Carolina’s only homeless services day center, has always met a crucial need in our community. Almost everyone experiencing homelessness in the area goes through AHOPE, which serves as a hub for community resources and information. AHOPE is often the only place individuals living outside can access basic services such as a shower, a cup of coffee, receiving a warm pair of socks, and most importantly, obtaining permanent housing.
While AHOPE was under construction, Jubilee Community Church and Central United Methodist Church ran warming centers where people experiencing homelessness could warm up, have a snack and a cup of coffee, and some social distancing fellowship.
“The warming centers were great. Folks at the churches really stepped up,” explained Dewey, a man who has been living outside since 2006. “They could have run away, but they didn’t.”
The warming center at Central United Methodist Church closed on Thursday. AHOPE opens Monday, Feb. 8, and returns to its regular hours of Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., except Wednesday, when it closes at 11:30 a.m.
Jeff was sipping coffee poured by Outreach Case manager Robert Stevenson while the AHOPE move-in was happening. Jeff’s been coming to AHOPE for years and with the help of case manager Sam Stanley, found housing two months ago. His wife has multiple sclerosis and was suffering terribly from anxiety and confusion when they lived outside.
“My wife has improved so much since we moved into housing. Her mind has improved — she still has a little joint pain, but as far as the anxiety and confusion, it’s gone since we moved inside. Everybody needs to have a home.”
Since 2006, Homeward Bound has moved more than 2,170 people into homes and 89% have not returned to homelessness.
Generous funders for the renovation include The Cannon Foundation, Buncombe County, Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, DEPCOM Power, Patricia Simms, Rick and Lynne Noble, and a donor who contributed $725,000 to the project anonymously.
A virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony will be streamed live on Facebook at 2:00 Wednesday, Feb. 24. To attend, visit https://www.facebook.com/HomewardBoundWNC/.