One year after breaking ground, Siloam Mission gave donors a sneak peek of the progress on their expansion downtown Winnipeg on Thursday.
The 54,000 square-foot expansion will create as many as 50 new shelter beds, including beds in a separate area just for women. It will also include more space for health services, mental health supports, transition services and volunteer resource areas.
“The people of our city are some of the most strongest and most resilient that I’ve ever seen,” Siloam Mission CEO Jim Bell said. “But they need our continued help to keep fighting.”
All three levels of government, along with individual donors and businesses have contributed to the Christian-based non-profit organization’s expansion, which has now reached 90 per cent of its $19 million goal.
The mission is hoping to raise the remaining $1.9 million this year.
“We wish were standing here saying that there’s not a problem anymore, that we’re shutting down, but that’s just not the case,” Bell said.
“But because there is a need, we are privileged and excited about having the ability to expand our space so that we can help people to transition and progress.”
The new facility is expected to open in Spring 2020.
Siloam Mission was founded in 1987 and provides emergency shelter, meals and clothing, supportive housing and a variety of services to Winnipeg’s homeless.
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