HELENA — Family Promise of Greater Helena celebrated the grand opening of its new 16-room shelter facility Tuesday, marking a major expansion of services for families experiencing homelessness in the Helena area.
The new facility, located on North Cooke Street, has been more than two and a half years in the making and is designed to provide temporary housing, case management and stabilization services for families facing housing insecurity.
Family Promise leaders say the goal has always been to create a safe and supportive environment where families can begin rebuilding stability.
“We use trauma informed care somewhat. Families come to us. We hope that they feel a sense of relief right away. And we welcome them. And we tell them it's going to be okay and we're going to take care of them,” said Family Promise Board President Randal Rake.
Executive Director Madison Ragsdale says the new shelter represents more than just additional space.
“You know, it's a new opportunity for hope… It's somewhere to go. I know as someone who has experienced some housing insecurities as a child, having somewhere to go makes the world a difference,” Ragsdale said.
The shelter opening also comes at a critical time for Helena’s Friendship Center, which experienced significant flood damage earlier this year after a fire suppression system leak damaged parts of its shelter facility. Family Promise is partnering with the Friendship Center to help provide temporary shelter space while repairs continue.
“Partnering with the other organizations in town is the only way to keep the Helena community strong,” Ragsdale said.
While crews continue wrapping up final inspections and finishing details, organizers expect families could begin moving into the facility within the next few weeks.
“We aren't quite 100%. The guys are just doing the finishing details so we can get the city inspectors back out here to give us our stamp of approval for occupancy,” said contractor Robert Mergenthaler.
The new Helena shelter is part of Family Promise’s growing regional outreach efforts. The organization has also expanded services into Townsend and Broadwater County through a homelessness diversion program aimed at helping families stay housed before reaching a crisis point.
Family Promise leaders say both efforts reflect the increasing need for housing support services across the region as communities continue to deal with rising housing costs and limited affordable options.
