Plans underway for homeless shelter in FM

ONE FOR ALL

A lot of times when people think of homeless shelters they think of drugs. But it's far bigger than that. It's people that may have not been able to afford rent, or someone in an abusive relationship. Those are the kind of situations that we want to provide for.”

John Heyland, FM Safe Haven Home board member

INFORMATIONAL FORUMS

Oct. 23 at McAleer Hall and Oct. 30 at FM Public Library both at 6 p.m.

FORT MADISON – An effort is quickly taking shape that will provide up to 40 spaces for those without a home to find a bed in Fort Madison.
A group spearheaded by Jon Heyland is taking the St. Mary’s convent home in the 1100 block of Avenue E and turning it into a homeless haven.
Heyland said the church deeded the property over to a non-profit that oversaw the Emma Cornelis House with the intentions of turning the house into a place for those with no home in the city to stay on a temporary basis.
“It’s going to be called the Fort Madison Safe Haven Home,” Heyland said Tuesday afternoon. “St. Mary's has gifted the convent there on Ave. E to us and it's a beautiful facility.”
Heyland said current statistics show that about 3% of the population is homeless in Lee County and that doesn’t always relate to crime, but just people in tough situations.
“A lot of times when people think of homeless shelters they think of drugs. But it's far bigger than that. It's people that may have not been able to afford rent, or someone in an abusive relationship. Those are the kind of situations that we want to provide for," he said.
The mission statement of the new organization is to “offer safe, welcoming shelter and supportive services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in our community. We are dedicated to restoring dignity, nurturing hope, help our guests build a path toward stability, self-sufficiency, and lasting change.”
Plans including some minor construction to ensure ADA compliance, a full-time executive director, a couple part-time staff, and volunteers are in the works to make the new facility as safe and functional as possible.
“Our goal is to really provide a safe and  temporary facility where we can help people get back on their feet,” Heyland said.
The Emma Cornelis Home, which was used for short-term homeless stays, will migrate more toward assistance with special needs, while about five members of the Cornelis Home board of directors move to the Haven Home operations.
Heyland said this opportunity allows the two operations to focus on different needs in the community and county.
“They want to reach out to people with special needs and there is that need there. While this other allows us to reach out to people who need some help. A hand up to get them back on their feet,” he said.
Plans initially include hiring an architect to evaluate what he said was close to about 7,000 square feet of space, looking at restrooms and ADA compliance. Any recommended improvements would hinge upon the amount of funding that can be raised and Heyland said there are still some things up in the air on that front.
But he said there’s no lack of confidence that the community will step up and make the project a reality.
The group is going in front of the Fort Madison City Council next week to spell out the project for city officials. He said building compliance will come from the city’s planning and zoning.
“Then we’re off and running,” he said.
He said staffing will likely include a full-time executive director, two part-time staffers, and some volunteers. Heyland said local law enforcement has already committed to making regular stops at the facility to make sure it’s running like a “first-class operation” and a safe place for families.
“I really believe that this is something that will bring our community together. I've had so many people that have reached out to me that just said, ‘Hey, you know what? You can count on me to help. Or is there anything I can do?’. 
“It’s truly a great community and I really believe that it's a giving community and I really believe that people will get on board and do everything they can to make it successful and make it something that I think our community can be really proud of,” he said.
In the name of being totally transparent about the project, Heyland said forums and open houses   are being set up for Oct. 23 and Oct. 30, both at 6 p.m.
The first forum will be located in McAleer Hall behind the Safe Haven Home and the second will be held in the Fort Madison Public Library. More information will be available on the home’s Facebook page, and there will be another website.
Heyland said the city needs to face head-on those that are sleeping in their cars or are in abusive relationships and have nowhere else to go.
“I think we would all be a little surprised by the number of people in the area that are dealing with those situations,” Heyland said.
He agreed that drug usage could probably be an associated problem in certain situations and those people need help, too.
“But we’re going to have some pretty stringent guidelines to maintain a safe place for everyone. It’s just that important that we’re open about what we’re doing.”
He's hoping to have everything at the haven house ready to go in the next six months.