New nonprofit to build housing facility in Wooster
This is what the women’s bunkroom will look like at the ongoing transitional housing facility being built by Homeward Bound of Wooster and Wayne County in an existing building on Grosjean Road on the south edge of Wooster.
Homeward Bound of Wooster and Wayne County, a new nonprofit, is taking on the responsibility of managing a transitional housing facility in Wooster for residents needing assistance on their journey toward independent living and temporary overnight shelter.
HBWWC was formed as a result of the efforts of the Wooster Homelessness Task Force, whose mission over the last five years has been to make available to the community information about housing and homelessness and to create additional services for the unsheltered.
In 2022 the task force took over the operation of the severe weather shelter temporarily located at the Wooster Salvation Army. Throughout this time the goal of the task force has been to help create an ongoing transitional housing facility.
Earlier this year private donations allowed for the purchase of an existing building at 981 Grosjean Road in Wooster. The newly incorporated Homeward Bound spent the next several months securing commitments from local agencies to provide services to guests that would offer them a path to independent living.
In early May unanimous approval was received from the Wooster Planning Commission to remodel the building as a transitional housing facility. Weaver Commercial Contractor has undertaken the remodel, and the design phase of the project is nearly complete. The plan is to have the building open for operation by Nov. 1.
Two services will be housed in the facility: a day center and a severe weather shelter.
The day center will be open and staffed seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guests will have the opportunity to shower, do laundry, use computers, charge their phones and have a midday meal. They also will be able to meet with personnel from social service agencies to plan a path to independent living.
The severe weather shelter is preliminarily scheduled to be open every night from Nov. 1 through April 30. Together with local agencies, staff will provide case management services to assist with employment, housing, medical needs, counseling and rehabilitation.
In terms of staffing, HBWWC announced the hiring of Cynthia Bonidie as executive director. Bonidie spent two years working with the unsheltered and newly housed populations as a staff member at OneEighty lnc. She also served as an overnight contractor and most recently as supervisor during past seasons of the severe weather shelter.
Other staffing positions for both services are currently being filled. Those interested can email employment@homewardboundwwc.com for more information about open positions and required qualifications.
Many volunteers will be needed to assist with the facility’s operations. Anyone interested in volunteering can send their name and contact information to volunteer@homewardboundwwc.org.
The purchase and renovation of the facility was covered entirely by private donations, so fundraising solely for operational costs will begin shortly. To make an immediate contribution, send a check to Homeward Bound, P.O. Box 217, Wooster, OH 44681, or make a digital donation at www.venmo.com/u/homewardboundwwc.