Cape Girardeau shelter needs money, labor to complete renovations

Organizers of a Cape Girardeau homeless shelter asked for a community commitment of money and labor Saturday afternoon as they laid out what it will take to put the Shelter of Hope into operation.

Chaplain Terry Wildman, president of the Shelter of Hope, said requests for help show the urgency of making the eight-bed emergency shelter at 320 S. Sprigg St. ready for occupancy.

"An 18-year-old girl called and said she had no place to go," Wiidman told about two dozen people attending a meeting at Christ Episcopal Church, 101 N. Fountain St., to discuss the shelter. "I have no place to put her. We would like to get her help before the streets eat her up."

Alliance Bank has donated the use of the building at 320 S. Sprigg St. free of charge for one year. But it needs extensive renovations, which volunteer contractor James Wheatley of J&R Construction estimated will cost about $35,000 for materials alone.

Skilled labor will be sought from volunteers, with work needed on the heating and cooling system, flooring, plumbing, wall construction and sprinkler system, Wheatley said. The electrical system is especially in need of attention, with Wheatley describing the fuse box as a museum piece.

Alliance Bank must make repairs to the water system before the city will certify the building for work. Then architectural drawings must be made and approvals obtained from the bank and the city before work can commence, Wheatley said.

The emergency shelter will help close a gap in services, said board member Cindy Miller of the Gibson Recovery Center. "It is very frustrating to be in a position at work with people who need a place to go and there is no place to send them," she said.

The shelter can be the start for helping people regain control, Towner said. "It is a privilege because you get to see miracles happen. You see a lot of suffering, but you get to see lives change."

The shelter's board of directors includes clergy, volunteers and people who have been homeless. Members along with Wildman and Towner include the Rev. LaDon Hamilton, Robert Harris Jr., Pastor Don Johnson, Diane Kelly, Dennis Long, the Rev. David McNeely, Miller, Bob Nelson, Robert Robinson, Debbie White and Bishop Wilson.

Towner and Wildman said they have been reaching out to area churches through ministerial alliances to build support. It will require a true community effort, Towner said.

"There are no Lone Rangers here at the table," he said.

Johnson, pastor of Evangelical United Church of Christ, said firsthand experience helping the homeless at a St. Louis church helped propel him to join the local effort. "My experience with the homeless is that they are people just like us. Their problems can be pretty severe, but they need a hand up."

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent addresses:

320 S. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, MO

101 N. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO

Want to help?

The Shelter of Hope, 320 S. Sprigg St., is asking for community donations of labor and materials for renovation and Gifts of Hope pledges of $25 a month for operations. For a list of needs, contact the following:

* Chaplain Terry Wildman at 339-7882.

* Brother David McNeely at 579-8121.

* The Rev. Bob Towner at 335-2997.

* Alliance Bank, 217 N. Kingshighway. Donations are accepted at teller windows.