‘Why wouldn’t we help’? Churches serve homeless during Arlington shelter’s renovation
With growth comes adjustments.
And, as the Arlington Life Shelter grows with its Hearts to Homes project, the shelter at 325 W. Division St. will temporarily shut down. The nonprofit organization will, however, continue to serve families and individuals by operating out of two faith-based partner facilities.
The shelter will officially shut its doors on Division on Monday, Jan. 6 and will remain closed until the project is complete. Community Development Director Jim Reeder said plans are to be back in the building, with the Hearts to Homes project complete by June 1.
The administration offices will remain at 1907 Ascension, Suite 300, through the construction process.
The ALS will operate shelter services out of Mount Olive Baptist Church’s Family Life Center from Jan. 6 until Feb. 10. Then, another move will take place to Epworth United Methodist Church on Cooper Street.
Night shelter services (5 p.m.-8 a.m.) will be offered at these spaces. Also, SafeHaven of Tarrant County will be assisting with temporary shelter for single women during this transition phase, but all client intake will occur with Arlington Life Shelter staff. All contact numbers will also remain the same.
Food service will continue to be provided at the temporary locations.
“Thanks to so many in the many in the community who have made this project possible. There may be some challenges in the short term, but we are very excited about the future,” Reeder said.
Epworth has long helped with opportunities such as meals at ALS, evolving from a Sunday series called “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.” Neighbors, including Reeder, visited and spoke.
“Jim shared how so many people are close to homelessness,” Epworth Pastor Mike Love said. “One person in our congregation said, ‘Why wouldn’t we help?’ Another person said, ‘We need to do this.’
“For me, the importance of helping Arlington Life Shelter is a tangible way for us to love our neighbors and Arlington. The new capacity being provided in the shelter is much needed for helping people get back on their feet.”
Likewise, Mount Olive has been a longtime helper. Church spokesman Michael Glaspie released a statement about the opportunity to assist in this venture that read:
“Mount Olive and the Arlington Life Shelter have had a long-term relationship. Since the church reaches out to help the needy, partnering with the shelter has been a great benefit. Mount Olive has prepared and served meals every second Saturday at the shelter for several decades. In fact, under the leadership of the late Senior Pastor N. L. Robinson, a partnership was established between the two organizations from the shelter’s inception. Church members have also supported the shelter by providing needed supplies.
“However, the expansion of the shelter has presented a new opportunity for the two entities to partner and we are finalizing an agreement to be part of temporarily housing their clients in the transition. Since we are both concerned with helping the needy, it has been and continues to be a great relationship.”
There will also be a slight decrease in the amount of people who can use the shelter during the transition phase, but only by about three to five per day.
The Hearts to Homes project is a new two-story building with more than 12,600 square feet. It will be adjacent to the existing shelter building and will provide additional services.
“Pray for the transition to go smoothly and our clients to continue to be effectively served,” Reeder said when asked what the public can do to help. “Arlington Life Shelter is living its mission and will be able to provide even more support for those experiencing homelessness especially women, children, and families.”