Jim Fair
A four-unit homeless rehabilitation shelter’s construction is complete and occupancy is tentatively scheduled May 1.
Daily Bread Ministries has built the $500,000 complex with donations, largely with a $100,000 gift from the John I. Smith Foundation in July 2014.
The unique initiative – Greer STEP, Shelter to Empower People – is a four-unit homeless rehabilitation shelter located one vacant lot near the Greer Soup Kitchen on E. Poinsett Street.
One of the units will be occupied by a veteran, which was greeted by great fanfare when Sen. Tim Scott came to Greer in October 2014 to announce his Veterans Job Training initiative.
“We’re in the process of getting donations for the courtyard and the plan is to put down mulch and picnic tables in the courtyard,” said Adam Wickliffe, board chairman when funding was being raised for the project.
“Our focus is getting furniture in there and the recruiting of volunteers,” Wickliffe said.
STEP has set up a registry for individual donations to furnish the units. Funding for first-year operations and equipment is continuing.
Training for individuals to work with the families is scheduled Saturday and March 19 at Memorial United Methodist on Main Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact Robert McQuaid for questions or information on volunteer roles.