SNEAK PEAK: Shelter Moves To New Building

It’s a vision nine years in the making.

“In our minds it’s more of an opportunity center, while a shelter is still a very key component of what we’re doing we’ve got much more than that, we’ve got everything from emergency to permanent housing, we have a full array of programs and space to do it in,” says Central Iowa Shelter and Services Executive Director Tony Timm.

Central Iowa Shelter and Services is moving in to their new building next week.

The bigger building will provide 150 beds, 38 section 8 apartments and a special section of 19 private apartments for veterans.

“I think it’s going to be real good, we have our own rooms, we still can meet communally and eat with everybody if we want or we can cook our own food, we have our own bathroom, we have a lot more privacy,” says Veteran Herb Gish.

The $15 million dollar project will also include a health clinic, lounge area, new cafeteria, and a computer lab with classes offered from DMACC.

Executive Director Tony Timm says the new center will help shorten the amount of time someone is experiencing homelessness by providing more services to get them back on their feet.

“The folks that we work with that are really going to benefit are the folks that we serve that are in need and our staff are excited to have the resources on hand to provide that help,” says Timm.

Organizers hope to help more people like Gish, who after being laid off from his job received assistance from the organization.

He says they helped him get an apartment and put him on a program to keep him on track towards his goals.

“You have people looking over your shoulder to make sure you’re doing the right steps to better yourself, “says Gish.

The shelter will hold its ribbon cutting Friday at 9:00 a.m. at 1420 Mulberry Street.

The event is open to the public.

The staff and residents begin moving in next week.