New homeless facility will be more than just shelter

Date: 11/11/2009

By G. Michael Dobbs, Managing Editor

SPRINGFIELD A long over-due plan to expand the services of the Friends of the Homeless shelter on Worthington Street was officially kicked off last week, although it was clear that construction workers had a head start.

City officials, business and religious leaders met on the site at 769 Worthington St. to introduce the $12.5 million resource center in front of the backdrop of a busy construction site.

An expansion had been suggested during the time Francis Keough was the executive director of the shelter over four years ago. Those plans were on hold with the scandals that surrounded Keough's arrest and conviction on extortion charges, the hiring of a new executive director and re-organization of the board of trustees.

The new facility is part of the 10-year plan to eliminate homelessness in the city that was started in the administration of Mayor Charles Ryan.

Today, the shelter's expansion has moved forward with the backing of city, state and federal funding as well as wide support from the business and charitable communities. Capital campaign donors include Baystate Health, Health New England, the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation, MassMutual, Brenna and Ron Sadowsky and family, Mercy Medical Center, The Springfield-Group Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, Excel Dryer, Citizens Bank Foundation, the Berkshire Bank Foundation and the United Bank Foundation.

The addition will feature 32 efficiency apartments, a new kitchen facility and an improved heath and dental clinic. The new shelter will also have accommodations for women and have space for education and vocational training.

"It's so important to take care of everyone in this community," Friends of the Homeless Executive Director William Miller said.

According to an information sheet provided to the press, the number of people served by Friends of the Homeless has increased by a third since 2005. In 2008, the organization provided shelter for 1,299 individuals (1,020 men and 279 women with an average length of stay 39 nights); provided permanent single room occupancy apartments for 109 individuals (69 men and 40 women); and served approximately 125,917 meals.

"This is a day of vision for Friends of the Homeless," Doreen Fadis, the new chair of the board said. She credited her predecessor, Robert Carroll, for spearheading the effort to make the new center a reality.

State Rep Cheryl Coakley-Rivera recalled at the ceremony her times as a volunteer at the shelter and noted how nearly anyone could find himself or herself homeless.

"But for the grace of God it could be us," she said.