FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — For months, 7hills Homeless Center has been working around the clock to open its overnight shelter. Now, that time has finally come.
Since 2001, 7hills has served as a day center for people experiencing homelessness. The organization offers meals, resources, and other services that people may need.
Joe Coultas, Director of Shelter Services for 7hills, says that now the overnight shelter is ready and that the first 16 guests have already received notice.
"We have our first 16 guests that are coming in, we gave them their welcoming letters Monday, the staff that handed those out, and they're all very excited to come along. and a lot of emotions up there yesterday, a lot of people were very happy to have somewhere to go soon. and just have that hope for a brighter future," Coultas said.
The shelter will open its doors to 16 people at first and then will phase in more people over time.
"This is new for 7hills to have a shelter. And so, we get the first 16. And we see how that looks. We see how the programs are working with case management and rehousing and things like that. And then once everyone is comfortable where we are, and when we know that we've got it working, then we will put out that call for the next 16 to come in," Coultas explained.
How did 7hills decide on the first slate of guests? Coultas says that there was a certain approach 7hills leaders created to hand-pick the 16 clients facing homelessness.
"What we did was we got together with the data center managers, the case managers, and we had a sign-up sheet for anybody that wanted to be invited to the shelter, and that list was very, very low," Coultas said. "We took people for the first 16 that we have worked with and been working with, and we have like a caseload and a case history with those people. So, we know their backgrounds, we know who they are, we know what they are successful with. We know what hurdles they have."
The shelter was initially supposed to open at the end of February but faced some roadblocks along the way.
"The delay that we had was the arctic blast that we had come through for nine days. and so that kind of put everything on hold there for a week and a half. and then once that was over, we got back to it," Coultas said.
5NEWS was able to speak to a 7hills client who will move into permanent housing. Jason Sims says he has been coming to the 7hills day center for almost two years, but through the services they offer, he was able to turn a new leaf and get a job as a 7hills shelter advocate.
"As I lived it, knowing what the kind of struggles that everybody goes through day by day, and no one wants to know where to get your next meal, or lay your head down at and then worry about the authorities coming and running you off," Sims recalled.
7hills is providing housing for Sims, but he is not included in the first 16 guests moving into the overnight shelter. Instead, he'll be staying on campus in another building.
"It's like a two-story apartment, it's got upstairs and downstairs, I'll be with one other advocate that's up there. I have three goals myself and it's to get my driver's license back and get me a car, and then get my own home. you know, and, and then, of course, continuing my career, because I'm gonna make a career out of this," Sims said.
7hills' mission is that "everyone deserves a place to call home."
Sims says he's thankful for not only a roof over his head but a career that he loves.
"My story will end with this career, of being able to help other people. because that's what I always like to do is help as much as possible and keep and try to keep as much danger down as much as possible while helping people put their minds at ease," Sims said.
The grand opening for the shelter is set for Wednesday, March 6th.
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