The Northeast Florida Builders Association Charitable Foundation has pledged $100,000 to help construct a much-needed Women’s and Children’s Emergency Shelter in conjunction with Trinity Rescue Mission’s capital fundraising campaign, “Partners in Hope.”
NEFBA’s Charitable Foundation will match up to $100,000 of private donations raised by NEFBA staffer and City Council member Daniel Davis for construction of the new 14,000-square-foot emergency shelter, which is designed to meet the needs of 100 women and children.
The property adjacent to the existing Men’s Mission on West Union Street already has been purchased and money raised during the capital fundraising campaign will be used to build the center, furnish it and staff it for the first two years. The goal is to raise $2 million.
“We are extremely happy at the high level of involvement of NEFBA members,” said Gene Pruett, executive director of Trinity Rescue Mission. “Their commitment has become a key to the success of this initiative, and we are deeply grateful.”
Some NEFBA members are assisting through the donation of labor and materials.
Williams & Rowe is spearheading the project by providing all construction management services. Other NEFBA members who have committed to the project include Cash Building Materials and Matovina & Company.
“This is a great opportunity for NEFBA to help provide housing for those who need it the most - homeless women and children,” said Greg Matovina, immediate past president of NEFBA. “Having four daughters of my own, the plight of these homeless women and children really hits home with me. I encourage anyone who can assist with the construction or is willing to make a cash donation, which the Charitable Foundation will match, to contact Daniel or me.”
The new emergency shelter will be available to homeless women and children 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is projected to serve at least 1,200 women and children annually. It will include several small dormitories for single women and private rooms for each mother with children. The facility also will include a child-care center, a medical clinic, a playground, a common living room, a laundry room, a small kitchen and counseling rooms for individual counseling and case management by Trinity Mission staff.
It is estimated that on any given day there are 1,040 women and children without homes, and many are without shelter each night in Jacksonville because the city’s 18 shelters and transitional housing agencies are full.
“According to our homeless survey, there are approximately 130 unsheltered women and children on the streets of Jacksonville each night who could benefit from shelter and case management services to help them transition to long-term supportive housing,” said Wanda Lanier, executive director of Emergency Services and Homeless Coalition of Jacksonville in support of Trinity’s effort. “Trinity Rescue Mission has a proven track record with assisting homeless men in the Jacksonville community, and it is expected that they would be able to do the same for homeless women and children.”
Trinity Rescue Mission was established 41 years ago by Trinity Baptist Church, and the church has provided a leadership gift of $400,000.
“As we have become aware of the need of so many homeless woman and children in the city of Jacksonville, we have determined to show people in need the love of Jesus Christ by opening a Women’s and Children’s Shelter as a part of the Trinity Rescue Mission,” said Tom Messer, the church’s senior pastor. “Our church has been overwhelmed by the generosity of the Northeast Florida Builders Association in partnering with us in helping to make this shelter a reality. We are grateful for their interest in giving back to the community and helping us meet this great need in our city.”