Family Promise is Moving to the Job Center!
COVID-19 has changed so many things in our lives and Family Promise has not been spared. The Staff and Board has taken a hard look in projecting what we need to do to continue our mission as efficiently and effectively as we possibly can with the eye on controlling expenses as we go into 2021 and beyond.
It is because of Glendora House, that we were able to continue to serve families once COVID made the rotation model impossible - at least for now. What we soon realized with the transference of families to Glendora House, is that the need for the Day Center evolved and we no longer required all of the current space. For example, we no longer need laundry and shower facilities, or quiet rooms for individual families. We did with the rotation model. Much of the individualized family counseling happens at Glendora House. But even if/when the rotation model is restored, FPSC will not need as much day center space because many of the families will be operating out of their apartments at Glendora House.
In those projections and after review of our space needs, led by Board Member Janeen Akins, we concluded we could function with less space. The Board approved the cancellation of our existing lease wherein we had two years remaining. This will realize a savings of $18,000 over the remaining two years of the current lease.
I have been authorized to execute a new lease in the Job Center located at 1040 E. Tallmadge Avenue in Akron. After a space review, we selected the Job Center as it has exceptional amenities that our families need as they work on their individual case plans.
The amenities/services available on-site include:
(NOTE: The facility is properly set up for social distance interaction.)
· Job Resource Center
· GED program
· Youth Employment Center
· Day Care Center
· Multiple size conference rooms
· Daily security, with a Summit County Sheriff Deputy and metal detector to enter the building and temperature check.
· State of Ohio License Bureau
· Summit County Clerk of Courts Office
· Front door METRO Bus Service
· ADA Accessible entrances and exits
· ADA Accessible restrooms
· Large capacity parking
· Cafeteria with vending machines
· Fortis College
· Location is central, easily accessible to individuals, volunteers, and congregations
If/when the rotation model resumes, there is space to provide showers/laundry/and family rooms for a Day Center operation.
Change is never easy, and we certainly have had a large share of changes in 2020 due to COVID-19. That said, we have taken great effort to be good stewards of our resources and to assure we can continue helping families experiencing homelessness achieve sustainable independence.
The new space will be occupied by December 2020 and we will plan for an open house, with social distancing in place, shortly after the New Year.
Please feel free to contact me at director@familypromisesc.org or 330.253.8081 if you have any questions. Please know your continued support of FP is deeply appreciated and is even more important than any point in the past!
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