February 2015 Newsletter

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New Samaritan Inn Purchase Complete

Remodeling Begins

Escrow, to purchase the old Umpqua Medical Center, was closed on December 30, 2014. The Roseburg Rescue Mission now owns this property. Its being remodeled into our New Samaritan Inn for homeless women and children. The Mission no longer owns the three houses, that have been Samaritan Inn, located at the corner of NE Jackson St and NE Klamath Av. We will remain in those three houses, as renters, during the remodeling of the new location. Those three houses were part of a trade agreement to purchase this new location at 544 W Umpqua St. Opening day of the new Samaritan Inn is set for May 2015.

Since making the public announcement of this plan in our September 2014 newsletter, we have had to turn away even greater numbers of homeless women and children than before. The need for a safe shelter away from the dangers of domestic violence, child abuse and neglect is great. The need for a larger facility to help deal with the issues of relationship separation, abuse, addiction, mental health, housing, employment and parenting skills continues to grow.

This new facility will have 15,000 square feet, 119 beds, 72 on-site paved parking spaces. Its in a better location for schools, social services, employment, shopping. Its well fenced and the layout provides for significantly improved security. There is a commercial kitchen and larger dining room, dayroom, chapel. There are more restrooms, showers, laundry facilities. There is more room for offices, classrooms, program areas. The length of stay will be increased, giving women and children the time needed to recoup from the stress of their homeless situation.

Its been a long and challenging process to complete this project. Its been amazing to see how each piece has come together and the right timing of each event. This has been a community effort. A measure of Christianity can be seen in the justice offered to the poor. A measure of the strength of a community can be seen in the compassion extended to the needy. We are indeed a caring community and the Lord is clearly at work here in His people. Thank you for all of your prayers and support. There is now more “hope for the homeless”.