Bloomington Township supports New Hope’s shelter expansion

Funds originate from sale of former shelter building

New Hope for Families announced a commitment of $325,000 from Bloomington Township to help build a new emergency shelter building at 1140 S. Morton Street. The Bloomington Township’s gift will apply toward the $5.75 million capital campaign goal announced by New Hope during its April 12 groundbreaking ceremony.

New Hope for Families Executive Director Emily Pike, Bloomington Township Trustee Kim Alexander, and New Hope Board President Andrew Allard at the groundbreaking ceremony for New Hope’s new facility on April 12. (Download full size)

“For nearly 10 years New Hope has stood by us, always ready to provide emergency shelter and other support services for local families in crisis,” commented Bloomington Township Trustee Kim Alexander. “We are proud to be able to return the favor.”

New Hope for Families, currently located at 301 W. Second Street, has emerged as a community leader in social services for families in crisis. New Hope is the only place in Monroe County where families with children can find emergency shelter together. The new facility is scheduled to be substantially complete by December of this year, with occupancy likely early in 2022.

“Bloomington Township has been a partner to New Hope and an ally for our vulnerable neighbors for years,” stated Emily Pike, Executive Director of New Hope. “We are so grateful for this gift, which will help us expand our capacity to a total of 12 families at a time. This represents a 70% increase over our current limit of 7 families at a time, enabling us to better serve the needs of our community.”

Bloomington Township has had a long and collaborative relationship with New Hope for Families.

Tribute to Rosabelle “Rosie” Neff, courtesy of Bloomington Township (Download PDF)

“Seven years ago, our township contracted with New Hope to staff our township’s own emergency shelter,” recalled Alexander. “That shelter was known as ‘Rosie’s Place.’ Eventually, however, our building developed deferred maintenance issues that made the arrangement impractical. At that point we began to refer our clients directly to New Hope’s facility.”

In 2020, the Township sold the building that formerly housed Rosie’s Place. That sale is the source of funds for the Township’s gift to New Hope.

“Bloomington Township’s decision to invest these funds to help New Hope expand its shelter capacity is a wonderful example of an effective public-private partnership,” commented Deborah Driskell, Executive Director of the Indiana Township Association. “I commend Kim and her board for their wise stewardship of community resources.”

In addition to emergency shelter and case management services, New Hope offers nationally accredited childcare and early learning programs. The new campus will enable New Hope to expand its early childhood programs to 48 children ages 0 to 5 years old, a 200% increase over their current limit of 16 children.

“Access to affordable child care enables parents to get back to work. Access to high quality early learning programs helps to prepare kids to succeed in school and in life,” explained Pike.

Additional information:

New Hope for Families