Hope Springs Anew in Jamestown
by Robert Mitchell
Nearly a quarter of the people in Jamestown, N.Y., live in poverty. The official poverty rate in this city at the western edge of New York state is more than double the national average.
Those economic pressures, often compounded by drug and alcohol abuse and mental illness, can sometimes lead to domestic violence. The Salvation Army’s Anew Center has long provided help to people escaping that issue, and it will move into a new building next year serving the residents of Chautauqua County.
Major John Merchant, the corps officer in Jamestown along with his wife, Major Kimberly Merchant, said the current building, which dates to the 1860s, has only 13 beds and constantly needs plumbing and electrical repair. The building is also not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The new building will be a seven-unit, 19-bed family shelter serving men, women, and families and will feature bathrooms and showers in each room while meeting ADA requirements. The $5.7 million project received $4.4 million from New York’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program.
“It’s very much needed because the amount of money we would have had to put into this old building would have been millions,” Merchant said. “It just made perfect sense for us to do this. The shelter is for anyone facing domestic-violence-related issues. The need around here is so great for domestic violence. We have a full house all the time.”
Brighter days ahead
Diana Butcher, the Anew Center’s program director, said the new shelter will be on a larger parcel of land and feature better security, more space, and parking. It will also be close to the Chautauqua County Department of Social Services.
Butcher said she is also excited that the new building includes elevators, a break room and restroom for staff, a living room, and larger kitchen and dining areas. The plans also call for a playroom for younger children, a room for arts and crafts, and more space for hotline staff.
“Everything will be better,” Butcher said. “It’s been a struggle to keep the old building up and running.”
Butcher, who has been with the Anew Center for 28 years in various capacities, saw domestic violence in her family growing up and has seen many get back on their feet after being in the shelter, which opened in 1985.
“When completed, Anew Center will redevelop a vital emergency family shelter in Chautauqua County for survivors of domestic violence, providing families and children with a safe, stable foundation and the comprehensive support services they need to heal and start a new beginning,” New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said in a release prepared by her office.
“We are grateful to The Salvation Army for their long-standing commitment to providing emergency assistance and shelter to New York individuals and families in need,” said Guinn, “and to all the state and local partners who are supporting the redevelopment of this important community project.”
Support from many sources
The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance said capital funding for Anew Center includes $250,000 from Carnahan Jackson, $187,000 from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, $250,000 from the Sheldon Foundation, $250,000 from the Lenna Foundation, and $75,000 from the Cummins Foundation, as well as $307,000 in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Continuum of Care funds. The project also received licensing support from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.
Operating funding for the project will come from a mix of state and federal funding. Several state officials were among those attending a groundbreaking ceremony in Jamestown on April 25.
Safe haven
“This new shelter in Jamestown reflects a shared mission with our sister agencies to create safer communities and ensure critical support for individuals and families impacted by violence,” Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said. “Providing a safe haven in times of crisis is essential to helping people heal and rebuild.”
New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Executive Director Kelli Nicholas Owens added, “We know one of the biggest barriers to finding safety for victims or survivors is a lack of housing. Leaving their homes can be extremely difficult, but in many cases, it can also be the difference between life or death. Knowing there is a place waiting for them with open arms, with a team of providers who will help them find the services and supports they need, can make all the difference as they begin their healing journey.”
Spiritual care
Merchant said shelter residents are told about church at The Salvation Army to help them find Christ and healing.
“We’ve had families come down to the church and participate,” he said. “We stress that there are a lot of different avenues in which we can help … not just physically, but spiritually.”
Domestic violence is all too common in the area, according to Merchant, and the level of poverty plays a role. The poverty rate in Jamestown was 24% in 2023. The national poverty rate in the same year was 11%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
In a prepared release from the state, Merchant said, “This shelter is evidence of the compassion and strength of the people in our community, coming together to help those who need support through some very tough times. This place will be a beacon of hope, to give our neighbors a safe and stable foundation. A place where they will get the support of a caring and compassionate staff to help them achieve a new beginning and a brighter future.”
Click here for more information on The Salvation Army’s Anew Center in Jamestown, N.Y.
