Macon, GA
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WMGT-NBC Coverage of Daybreak: "Macon's Homeless Has a New Resource Center"
A new resource center for Macon's homeless is in the works. DePaul USA announced today that it will launch a 175,000 dollar capital campaign for the organization called Daybreak. The money will allow the purchase of a 6,000 square foot warehouse at 174 Walnut Street. The building will also be renovated. Executive Director of DePaul USA says the facility will provide health care, educational services, and recreational services for the homeless. Several churches throughout the city of Macon are helping to fund Daybreak's operations.
Macon Project Advances
Depaul USA and its community coalition in Macon, Georgia continue to take steps towards realizing their shared goal of establishing a day/resource center for the city's homeless. The coalition's Programming Committee has determined that the center will focus on three services: hygiene, basic health care, and education/recreation/arts programming. Members of the facility committee have identified a preferred site for the center--a 6,000 square foot former warehouse on the edge of Macon's central business district. Negotiations are underway for the purchase of the building. The Daughters of Charity of the Southeast Province and Macon's St. Vincent de Paul Society have awarded Depaul USA grants to cover costs associated with the planning of the Macon project in 2011.
Sr. Enid Storey of New Orleans (above) shares lessons learned in establishing and running The Rebuild Center with Macon coalition members.
Macon Residents Select Day Center For Next Project
At a March 28, 2011 community meeting, Macon, Georgia residents announced their intention to work with Depaul USA to develop a day/resource center for the homeless. This decision was the culmination of two months of discernment and study of local needs and existing services. The day/resource center will help clients improve their daily living skills and access community services. Residents also signed up for Programming, Fundraising, Facility and Public Relations committees at the meeting.
In early April, the Daughters of Charity of the Southeast Province announced a $7,000 grant to Depaul USA. Sr. Elizabeth Greim, D.C., who has spearheaded the project in Macon stated, "This generous and timely grant will allow Depaul USA to continue to work with our coalition of concerned citizens to plan the center."
As part of the planning process, Sandra Guillory, Depaul USA's Program Director, traveled to Macon on April 26th to lead a community workshop with the Programming Committee to determine the services the center will provide. In May, a representative of New Orleans' Rebuild Center will make a community presentation on lessons learned in establishing a day center in that city. The Facility Committee is already scouting Macon for a site for the center.
To date, more than 90 volunteers have attended four community meetings to launch the Depaul Macon project. The volunteers have come from numerous civic organizations as well as Macon's faith community including the city's three Catholic parishes, First Baptist Church of Christ, the High Street Unitarian Universalist Church, Centenary Methodist Church, and Temple Beth Israel.
