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Avis Arbor doubling capacity for homeless women and children

4 min read
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Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter

Lisa Scarmazzi of Scarmazzi Homes checks the work being done in the future daycare at Avis Arbor.

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Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter

Each suite at Avis Arbor has a kitchenette with a microwave and refrigerator so mothers can store and heat items like formula for a baby.

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Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter

Individual bathrooms are available for those staying at Avis Arbor.

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Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter

A bedroom inside a suite at Avis Arbor

The Washington City Mission is set to provide homeless women in Washington County a fresh start in fresh new surroundings.

The mission plans to unveil its renovated Avis Arbor Women’s and Children’s Shelter for homeless women at a “reveal” from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

The event includes a reception in the chapel and a tour of the shelter.

The $1.2 million renovation project, funded by county money and community contributions, will double the housing capacity at Avis Arbor from 16 homeless women and children to 32.

Last year, Avis Arbor had to turn away 257 women and 88 children because of a lack of space.

“It’s heartbreaking to turn away those women, but we just didn’t have the room,” said Dr. Sally Mounts, chief development officer for the mission. “We’re making a dent in that.”

The renovation includes expanding the shelter from six rooms to 12 suites, which will provide women with a place to work on life recovery while making sure their children can remain with them, a day care center, meeting room and lounge.

“Our goal for the program is to be a safe place, a place of dignity, and a place where a woman can rest, get her head straight and get into society to work,” said Brian Johansson, chief operating officer for the mission. “We have education and training programs, and day care for children.”

The new women’s shelter is part of the city mission’s $11.2 million, four-year campaign to provide housing and programs to better help the homeless become working members of the community.

The suites are not the barracks-style construction typically found in social housing. Lisa Scarmazzi of Scarmazzi Homes, a corporate partner of the mission, created a thoughtful revamp that emphasizes the suites are a home, not a shelter.

Because design matters to the homeless, too, Scarmazzi, an interior designer, selected paint colors, fixtures and amenities and sketched room plans aimed at helping women feel safe and comfortable, and to eliminate the stigma associated with living in a shelter.

“When my husband, Paul, and I committed to being corporate sponsors and took a tour of the building, I was so moved by what they’re doing here. Something struck a chord, and I wanted to be involved,” said Scarmazzi. “I think your environment matters so much. You feel better when you’re in a positive environment. These women need to see there are people out there that care about them, and they want them to have a warm, nice, inviting environment because they deserve it. These women are worth it.”

The mission gets less than 2 percent of its overall budget from state and federal money.

The City Mission has received a $500,000 federal Home Loan Bank grant and a Local Share Account grant for $200,000. Local agencies and organizations “have been wonderful about supporting the project.”

Scarmazzi helped the mission launch Avis Arbor Fixer Upper 2018, a fundraiser to raise money needed to furnish the 12 suites, the day care center, meeting room and lounge.

Four suites have been funded, and City Mission is seeking sponsors to fund the remaining rooms. To purchase furnishings for the remaining suites and lounge for the homeless shelter, visit www.citymission.org.

The mission also is hosting an online baby shower through Amazon, which will enable donors to purchase items for the day care and nursery. Visit the baby registry on Amazon Smile to see a wish list of items for the women’s shelter and child care center. When purchasing a gift using Amazon Smile, five percent of the purchase price will be donated to City Mission.

Homeless women with children are the fastest-growing population of the homeless in the United States today. Women who are unable to provide shelter for themselves or their children often feel self-doubt, anger, shame, fear and hopelessness, said Mounts.

Mounts envisions the renovated women’s shelter as “a place where homeless women and children are safe and cared for, and can have a transforming experience through the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

The “reveal” includes light appetizers and beverages, and recognition of the shelter’s current suite sponsors and donors, and the opportunity to donate to the project. Those planning to attend should RSVP to Judi Kovacicek at 724-222-8530 extension 289 or jkovacicek@citymission.org.

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