City Mission of Findlay is expanding, but the success of its capital campaign for the project depends on the community. Plans have been drafted and approved for a $2.7 million, 18,000 square-foot addition to the present location at 510 W. Main Cross St. that will allow for up to 80 beds for men, women and children, including family accommodations. The project also includes a 100-seat dining room, offices, conference rooms and storage space.
As the only homeless shelter available between Toledo and Lima, the 78-year-old non-denominational ministry is responding to a growing need in Hancock County and surrounding areas for a larger facility. “The need is what has motivated us to do this. We’re seeing larger numbers of homeless people, and have outgrown our building,” says executive director Daniel Hicks. In some cases, the shelter has resorted to providing sleeping mats or motel rooms for the overflow of clients.
Funded throughout its history entirely by private, civic and business donations, City Mission assisted 352 people in 2011, about 70 percent from the Hancock County area. Almost half of them successfully transitioned to homes. Depending on the community’s response, City Mission hopes to break ground on the addition sometime in 2013. But Mr. Hicks says there’s a lot of money left to raise. “This is a very caring community, so I think we’ve been fortunate in that regard. It may just take some time.” —DC
