(Des Moines, IA) -- Des Moines non-profit Hope Ministries has cut the ribbon on a new 50,000-square foot shelter for homeless women and their children. The facility, at the site of the former Douglas Elementary School on East University, will officially open in a few weeks.
"We are thrilled that this milestone has been achieved, and grateful to the community that has made this possible," said Kathy Coady, Hope Ministries.
The new shelter will serve women who need immediate temporary shelter, to up to two years for women who are enrolled in a life recovery program. That program includes around 40-hours per week of programming to help women reach more stability in their lives. The building has been under construction since late 2022 at the Hope Ministries Steve Lankford Campus (3800 E. Douglas Ave.).
Hope Ministries has been serving women and children since 2004 at their 3333 E. University Avenue property, where they can serve around 35 individuals at one time. At the new Hope Center, Hope Ministries will be able to triple their capacity, with 50 beds in their short-term shelter wing and 50 beds in their long-term life recovery wing.
The new center also includes a commercial kitchen and dining room where Hope Ministries will serve three free meals every day to Hope Center residents, an auditorium, fitness room, children and youth center, art therapy room, classrooms and more.