Submitted information and photos:
On April 2 members of the Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K toured the “state of the art” MUST Ministries HOPE HOUSE. Kiwanis members Jim Perry, Rosie Teague and John Kone joined alongside other visitors as they toured the $14 million Hope House.
Kaye Cagle, VP of Marketing & PR added, “The shelter was $16 million of the consolidated campus expense of $23 million. We are now remodeling the Marietta Client Services and Headquarters building next door to the shelter and some funds went toward paying off the Donation Center behind the shelter.”
MGK members are regular “food donation” contributors to MUST Ministries and on the 1st Thursday of each month, MGK members bring in their food donations. After the meeting, members take the food sacks out to the parking lot where they are loaded into the trunk of Rosie Teague (Vice President of MGK and MUST Ministries designated chairperson). Then, Rosie takes the food over to MUST Ministries.
The new shelter includes the following:
- 43,556 square feet and two stories
- 136 beds and 36 respite beds for inclement weather
- A chapel, where clients can pray and have a moment of reflection
- The dining hall features picture windows to help alleviate claustrophobia
- A rooftop retreat for families features play areas, tables and seating
- The playground area allows our youngest casualties of poverty to play during their time at the MUST Hope House
- Clients with minor medical needs can be seen by medical professionals in one the three examination rooms
- Those in need of clothing can “shop” at an onsite clothing boutique.
- 10 Family Rooms with 5 beds and a private bath in each allows families to stay together.
- The Children’s Afterschool Learning Center allows children to read, study, do homework and work with tutors.
- Workforce development offers clients private rooms to make phone calls and work on resumes and job applications. A computer lab houses 10 work stations and a “jobs” professional.
Other amenities include:
- Two classrooms
- Staff Offices
- Laundry rooms
- Outreach showers and restrooms
- Staff and volunteer breakrooms
- Meeting/conference rooms
- Staff workrooms
For the past 33 years, MUST has given thousands of families shelter in the Elizabeth Inn in Marietta.
But we wanted to do more, help more, and have a place for those families that was built with their needs at the forefront. Thanks to a successful capital campaign and an ambitious vision, the MUST team designed and built this new shelter to house those experiencing homelessness, while also being one of the first in the nation to do so. At the MUST Hope House, MUST is able to more than double the number of people we are able to shelter and serve. This shelter not only gives those in need a place to sleep – its amenities provide them with a sense of dignity and respect.
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- Cobb Catholic Habitat dedicates final home of 2021
- Marietta Golden K Kiwanis Club donates $12K to local charities
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