Lucy’s Hearth marks launch of new shelter

MIDDLETOWN – Lucy’s Hearth, a shelter for homeless women and children, celebrated the launch of plans for its new home for its services on June 29.
Lucy’s Hearth has entered into a purchase and sales agreement with Child & Family for its former headquarters at 19 Valley Road.
A fundraising campaign also is in the works to raise $2.5 million for the $4.4 million project, now that $1.9 million has been raised. The renovated facility is slated to open in August of 2016.
Lucy’s Hearth has provided shelter and critical human services to women and children experiencing homelessness in the same building for over 30 years.
On Monday, U.S. Rep. David N. Cicilline, Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed, Rhode Island Housing Executive Director Barbara Fields and others joined shelter staff, board members and community supporters at the event at the property.
Lucy’s Hearth Administrative Assistant Narcheline Vazquez was once a resident at the facility after she lost her job.
“Life is good now,” she told the crowd. “Last month, I got married to my wonderful husband, Ronnie, and my kids are doing phenomenal!”
Lucy’s Hearth was established in 1984 as a grassroots organization serving as a night-tonight
With more than 9,300 square feet of space, the building is situated on 2.2 acres of land and is being redeveloped by Church Community Housing as the home for Lucy’s Hearth.
Lucy’s Hearth was established in 1984 as a grassroots organization serving as a night-to-night shelter for homeless women and children in the community. Over the years, the
shelter expanded its services with a focus on self-sufficiency to help families increase their ability to live independently and break the cycle of homelessness.
Having operated at capacity from an outdated building, Lucy’s Hearth staff and clients are eager to make use of the new facility, which will provide larger family rooms and community spaces that are more suitable for the vulnerable women and children who are served.
Lucy’s Hearth delivers holistic wrap-around services for resident mothers and their children, including case management, daily nutritious meals, mental health treatment,
advocacy, early intervention for children up to age 3, life skills training, financial literacy education, on-site GED education and more.
“This new home for Lucy’s Hearth will ensure that Rhode Island’s homeless population can get the critical support and transitional housing services they need,” Cicilline said.
Dr. Susan Erstling, board president of Lucy’s Hearth, thanked donors who have made the project possible.
“Lucy’s Hearth has delivered its nationally accredited program from a rented former convent on West Main Road,” she observed. “It is safe to say, we have done the best possible job from this tired, old facility. Honestly, when you have no home, the current Lucy’s Hearth building is indeed a safe haven.
“Yet all of us are ready to move Lucy’s Hearth to its new home.”
Lucy’s Hearth has launched a statewide fundraising campaign called “Home Is Where The Hearth Is” to raise the additional $2.5 million by August of 2016. In addition to the acquisition and renovation goals, this campaign funds a building maintenance fund so that Lucy’s Hearth can care for its modern facility in the future.

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