“I am sad to hear that the efforts for a men’s homeless shelter will not be moving forward. Since the shelter began their awareness campaign last fall with talks to the Rotary Club as well as Mount Airy and Surry County officials, Simmons has said repeatedly that she felt a call from above to serve those in need.Ī need for homeless shelter space exists in the county and while groups are working hard to support women and families in crisis, she saw there remained a drought of services aimed toward homeless men.įor months there had been meetings, interviews, housing needs roundtables, and pleas to the leaders of Mount Airy and Surry County from the Mount Airy Men’s Shelter group to try and gain some funding assistance for the fights against a problem that is not unique to Mount Airy.
Or that it would bring more homeless to Mount Airy,” she said. “Unfortunately, there are those who think the money could be spent better elsewhere or that Mount Airy is not in need of a shelter. With a heavy heart we have come to the conclusion that without the support of the county and city we are unable to continue.”
Project leader Ann Simmons said Monday, “We have faced many challenges and roadblocks trying to get the men’s shelter established here in Mount Airy. After diligent work in fundraising, outreach, and awareness for the needs of homeless men in Mount Airy, the Mount Airy Men’s Shelter decided the obstacles to achieving their vision are insurmountable. Leaping over obstacles takes a toll on people, even those who have felt a call to serve others in need. The concept for this design had the shelter located across the street from Daymark Recovery Services which would have provided ease of access for those staying at the shelter to access treatment. One of the concept designs for the Mount Airy Men’s Shelter on a proposed site on West Lebanon St., Mount Airy.
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