Residential Life Coordinator Cara Bushrod is showing visitors the newly completed emergency shelter within the Susan H Snyder Center for Women and Children.
Bushrod is going to be a head of safety and security. She says this room holds 16 women. Individuals have 16 days in the shelter, “after that we want to encourage them to join our program,” she said.
A grand opening was held Thursday for the new Susan H Snyder Center for Women and Children by The Evansville Rescue Mission(ERM) at 1400 professional boulevard in Evansville. It’s a former Cardiac Center of Ascension St. Vincent.
This facility is 42,000 square feet with 125 beds on two floors and extra wraparound services including Southwestern Behavioral Health. Amenities include a salon, laundry, fitness, technology and conference rooms. As a faith-based organization, there are places for worship.
Bushrod said they have several women on a waiting list. Screenings will begin Monday. A small number will be able to move in March 31, and the beds will then be filled gradually.
ERM President and CEO Tracy Gorman said while they’re familiar with running a men’s shelter, “we're rookies in this new space, so we're going to take a little bit of time because we believe that the people that we serve are worth the extra time.”
“Over the course of the months ahead, we will very, very slowly move towards full capacity.”
The building is nearly complete — about $200,000 is still needed to finish the kitchen.
This is the first long-term housing facility of its kind in the city.
The 77-week program was designed by Executive Director Nancy Miller. She traveled to other facilities to inform her of the length of the program and other aspects. In her program, she’s focused on faith and education.
“I have infused a lot of faith into the curriculum,” she said. “I have built four tracks of curriculum to help women understand the need to further their education. I believe it's a great equalizer. I really believe that they can get ahead and go beyond where their wildest dream is at, and they need to believe in themselves.”
The program includes Ministry Assignments. The facility will only have about eight full-time staff members and also volunteers.
Residents will learn to work in the kitchen, clean and do laundry.
Miller said US homelessness has increased by 18-percent in the past year and at least 40-percent are women, or women with children.
Kyle Gorman, ERM Director of Advancement said he’s elated the Snyder Center is open.
“I mean, to be working on this project for so long and finally be at the point where we are ready to welcome people is unbelievable.”
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