Local homeless center expects quick turnaround while moving locations
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A local nonprofit that has supported individuals experiencing homelessness for more than a decade is preparing for a move this summer.
Turning Point will relocate its operations in June to Opportunity Campus, marking a new chapter for the organization after spending the past 12 years operating out of Wilkes Boulevard United Methodist Church. It will close in June, though an exact date has not been announced.
Turning Point Executive Director Darren Morton hopes the move will take place over a weekend, allowing staff to relocate operations and resume services by the following Monday without interruption.
Staff said the move comes at the right time.
“The church is also closing in June, so we had to find a new place to go,” said Mindi Grannemann, who is the Administrative Manager at Turning Point. “It all worked out really well that it all came together.”
The new location is at Bowling Street and Business Loop 70 in Columbia, a short drive from the current site and will place Turning Point alongside other community resources under one roof.
“We’ve branched out and we’re on our own,” Morton said. “We’re excited about that, and we’re going to rent space at Opportunity Campus.”
Opportunity Campus is a $18.6 million development that will include a resource center and a 125-bed shelter facility aimed at addressing homelessness in the community.
Morton said all services currently offered by Turning Point will continue at the new location. Those services include mail delivery, laundry facilities, secure storage, a computer lab and other essential resources.
Hours of operation will remain the same once the organization moves, running from 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. However, Morton says those hours could be adjusted if needed to better coordinate with other agencies at Opportunity Campus.
“We want to come in and show that we’re a good teammate that we can coexist,” Morton said. “If there’s something we need to tweak, if we got to change from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. or something like that, we’re willing to do whatever it is to work well with everyone there.”
According to the Boone County Coalition to End Homelessness, 309 people are currently experiencing homelessness in Boone County. Of those individuals, 262 are sheltered while 47 remain unsheltered.
Morton said guests who rely on Turning Point’s services have already been informed about the move and many are looking forward to the transition.
“Everyone is aware of Opportunity Campus is coming to town,” Morton said. “Turning Point, Room at the Inn Loaves and Fish, and all those othe places being under the same roof. They’re aware, they’re excited for it as well.”
Turning Point also confirmed it has contracted with the City to continue operating as an overflow shelter this year for a total of 59 days.
Check back for updates.
