Shelter Moves Into New Facility, Will Help Even More People

(News/Talk 1480 WHBC) – Refuge of Hope Ministries has moved into its new $4 million facility in Canton.

Jo Ann Carpenter says the new building at 715 2nd Street NE will allow them to keep their capital campaign promise of “serving more people, better”.

“We’ve been on overflow for the last 8 to 10 years in our men’s shelter, but now this new facility will alleviate that overcrowding when men need to escape the chaos of the streets — now there’s space to move and breathe.”

She says last year they provided 16,000 bedded nights for homeless men, and served more than 90,000 hot meals, and they’ll be able to increase those numbers even more with this new facility.

The new building also includes a special health kiosk, one of only two in the state.

“This building was designed to minister to the community. To meet the needs of the community and those who live here,” Carpenter said.

So far this year, they have moved 57 men from the shelter into their own homes.

Refuge of Hope is the only shelter for homeless men in Stark County.

Their former location was 405 3rd Street NE.