The Trumpet of Truth Homeless and Substance Abuse Center is a 501c3 organization in Slidell, LA. It is a homeless shelter and Substance Abuse recovery center for men. It was started 16 years ago and was donated two used trailers which were used to house the men. These same two trailers were still being used when I started volunteering 6 months ago. The current Executive Director, who arrived two years ago, started a plan to replace the trailers, which were in bad shape even then, with modular buildings that had been used as temporary classrooms at a local high school. To that end the Pastor has put down $8,000 on the buildings. In November we held a Walk-a-thon, which raised about $1,500 and the Pastor (Executive Director) is making pralines for sale to help raise money. The same weekend we had the Walk-a-Thon the Fire Marshal closed the facility due to safety problems due to a lack of maintenance. The reason for the lack of maintenance was/is a lack of funds. To install and build out the modular buildings to meet the need requires about $300,000.
The need is immediate as with the facility being closed and having about 20 men remaining on the substance abuse program we can't just let them leave as many came from homelessness and for all, leaving would jeopardize their recovery. We have a 90 day project plan, which we are working but the main issue is funding.
The modular buildings would not only be used to house the substance abuse recovery center and homeless shelter but would provide sufficient space for classrooms for GED training, job skills (welding, computer repair, resume writing, application use, and tutoring for community youths, family skills, and life skills) as well as a small bakery and restaurant for more job training.
Review from #MyGivingStory