Shelter Creates Access & Room for People with Physical Challenges
Imagine being homeless. You are placed in a shelter. Though this is a far cry from the ideal, you are thankful to have a warm, safe place to be at night and some compassionate staff to help you.
Now, imagine you are homeless and have a physical challenge. You are told that there are no shelters accessible to people with your needs . You are placed in a motel room where there are no cooking facilities, no refrigerator and no one to lend a hand. This is the case for families experiencing homelessness in Western Massachusetts. However, Open Pantry is proud to announce that it is in the final stages of expanding and renovating our Jefferson Avenue Shelter so that it will be accessible for people with disabilities. "The staff at Jefferson prides itself on helping people who have no place else to go," explains Alvina Brevard, program director.
"It's bothered me for some time that people with disabilities are isolated in motels. Our staff is really excited about this expansion and being able to reach out and assist these families." Architect Steven Jablonski donated the design for the three-story addition to the Victorian home, owned by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, which has made the facility available to Open Pantry since 1982.
The expansion to the first floor provides a fully accessible efficiency with sleeping area, kitchen and bathroom. A beautifully designed and crafted ramp leads up to this unit. Additional renovations are being completed so families staying here can access the common areas and offices on the first floor. Changes on the second floor include an additional bedroom and a new bathroom. On the third floor, a conference room for staff meetings, workshops and other events has been created. The children's playroom on this floor, often used for meetings, will once again be the play center for which it was intended.
While Open Pantry had the idea we couldn't have made this project happen without the Davis Foundation, Community Foundation of Western MA and Emergency Shelter Grant funds administered by the City of Springfield.