By Peggy Mackenzie
Janet Richmond, regional director of the Children’s Home Society was at the county commission meeting on Tuesday to present an update on the new location for the Greenbrier County Shelter. The current shelter, located in Fairlea behind the Subaru dealership, was in a storm water flood zone, she said, and after 22 years in the Lewisburg area, the society began seeking a new home and soon found a suitable site in Rupert, known as the MeadWestvaco building.
“We’ve received a great response from the Rupert community,” Richmond said.
Richmond said renovations to the building will cost $350,000 and will include installing ADA access, a sprinkler system, and emergency exits. She said the property has an asking price of $300,000. To cover the expense, the Society is working on acquiring a line of credit. They have also raised $125 thousand in donations and grant funding. Another $100,000 may be available in January, Richmond said.
The shelter will need household items to furnish the home, and Richmond listed such items as bedding, towels, kitchen equipment and utensils were first on their list. She said a complete donations list will be drawn up for those persons interested in making contributions. She clarified that the foster care and adoption center portion of the Children’s Home Society will remain in Lewisburg, and only the shelter will be moved to the western end of the county.
Children’s Home Society of West Virginia is a private, nonprofit child welfare organization that provides emergency child shelters, foster care, adoption, mentoring and early intervention services to thousands of children across the state. Permanency is the focus of the Children’s Home Society, Richmond said. For further information on the Children’s Home Society, please contact them at 304-647-3430.