Our shelter, both before and after the renovation.
Now, more than ever, we must redesign our space. We serve over 45,000 meals annually, and after 29 years of service, our worn infrastructure needs repairs. Only after these changes can we truly fulfill our current mission, which emphasizes the dignity and respect of our guests.
Safety First. Emergency Preparedness.
Our fire safety system is no longer adequate; sprinklers do not activate and our smoke detectors are dated. This poses a grave safety hazard to our guests, so we must replace all sprinklers, detectors, emergency lighting, and alarms.
Can’t stand the heat Cool down the kitchen. Heating and Air-Conditioning.
Our heating and venting units are in poor condition, along with our HVAC cooling tower. In the summer, our kitchen temperature exceeds 100°F. Volunteers and guests regularly fall ill while dried foods are more likely to spoil. With new heating and air conditioning, we can ensure the comfort and well-being of the entire WLP community.
Going Places Big Plans. Disabled Accessibility.
Our floor plan needs bigger rooms. 40% of our guests have limited physical mobility, but we cannot accommodate their needs. Our cement floors have caused knee injuries, while not all guests can access our hygienic facilities. With new flooring and railings, as well as larger bathrooms and showers, we can include all members of WLP’s community.
Moving Boundaries Gaining Ground. Flexibility.
As it stands, every day is a juggling act. Guests, volunteers, and staff are shunted among small rooms, often inefficiently. Our new plan includes movable partitions, which allow maximum flexibility and privacy in the way we use our space. These also accommodate any future changes in funding and programming.
No Matter the Weather Weather the Storm. Drainage and Plumbing.
Right now, we live at the mercy of local weather, as well as the local water main, which is less than one block from WLP. In late 2010, torrential downpours and main breaks inundated our shelter with water and raw sewage. Each time, we’ve had to close down, halt food deliveries, and deprive hundreds of women of our services. By replacing our drains and backflow preventer, we can ensure a healthy and sanitary environment for our guests. We can keep our feet dry, our doors open.
Bright Rooms Brighter Hopes. A Place like Home.
Our home was originally intended as a church basement. As such, the space is cramped and dark. Behind our cinderblock walls, charming brick arches have idled for fifty years. When they come out of hiding, they will join glass dividers, bright walls, and open floor plans. Each day, our appreciative guests will step into a home, not a shelter.
New Supplies Meet Demands. Kitchen Refurbishment.
Food is central to our mission, but our kitchen equipment is deteriorating and cannot supply high enough volume to meet demand. In order to optimize work flow and maximize output, we will rearrange and replace our stoves, ovens, dishwashers, and storage facilities.
Open Plans Open Arms. More Space.
Our new dining room will seat 25% more guests than we can now. While our current floor plan is confined, the renovation will offer a constant view of the kitchen and elevator, meaning new guests will realize the extent of the services they can use.
Clean Clothes Fresh Start. Expanded Hygiene Services.
Many guests rely on WLP to keep clean, but our capacity cannot always satisfy this basic need. While 36% of our guests use laundry, we only have two washers and two dryers, and these need repairs. WLP will replace them with three new washers and dryers, meanwhile trading our shower for two new ones.
Log On Blast Off. Computer Literacy.
Without this skill, guests are unemployable in our modern economy. Right now, our Resource Center has only three desktop computers, which we will expand to six computers, along with twelve laptops for educational purposes. With these, we can offer more technology workshops, meaning more women can find jobs, search housing listings, connect with family, and identify other resources.
In Sickness, In Health In Dignity. Dignified Medical Care.
Right now, a woman waiting for the doctor must wait amid the bustle of our dining room, even if she has sensitive health concerns. In our new floor plan, we will relocate this service to the second floor and afford our guests privacy.
