NEOSHO, Mo. — After six months of construction, the Restoration Life Center Emergency Shelter will reopen today.
“It’s an exciting time for us, making the transition from Neosho Crosslines to Restoration Life Center,” said Steve Moser, president of the center’s board.
The board spent about $25,000 on repairs, with most of that money coming from donations. Rooms were added, a security system installed, flooring replaced and a hole in the ceiling repaired. Several fire code violations were corrected.
Besides donations, the shelter receives money from the Restoration Life Center Family Store, 308 E. Spring St.
“We’re looking forward to a great next year,” Moser said. “I believe that great things are in store and most importantly we as a community are going to be able to reach out to the needy and to those that need a place to stay. There’s nothing better than a community coming together to accomplish something.”
The shelter now can comfortably hold 40 people, or 10 more than before the renovations.
Moser said an update of the kitchen is still in the works and that a few more beds are on order.
Individuals are allowed to stay at the shelter for 30 days. In those days, they spend time looking for a job, working at the Restoration Life Center’s thrift store and helping out around the shelter. Moser said plans call for Bible study six days per week.
Center personnel are able to provide feedback to possible employers, and individuals staying at the shelter are able to get some job experience.
“Instead of saying they live in a homeless shelter, they can say, ‘I’m employed at the thrift store,'” Moser said.
Those who find employment within 30 days may remain at the shelter for up to a year while getting on their feet. For those individuals, there is transitional housing within the shelter that provides more privacy.
People who come to the shelter have everything provided for them, including laundry soap, deodorant, toothpaste and shampoo.
“We are always looking for someone to help out with meals,” said Nikole Townsend, Restoration Life Center board member. “Individuals or groups can provide or prepare meals, and we’re also always looking for community partners.”
Community partners, Townsend said, are professional people who want to volunteer their time in some fashion, whether it is by giving haircuts, conducting financial classes, providing counseling or helping with maintenance.
“We are just right now really emphasizing that this is a community project, and we would like anyone, whether it be churches, business, organizations, groups or individuals, to contribute because homelessness is something that all of us can work on together and pitch in,” Townsend said.
Increasing
The number of homeless in the area has been increasing, according to a count conducted by the Homeless Coalition of Joplin. In January 2015, the coalition counted 258 homeless people, and in January 2016, the tally was 297.
