TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL)--The Haven of Rest homeless shelter is closing its doors but with the help of dozens of organizations in the community, its residents have a brand new place to go.
It's been a quick turn around for organizations to make sure these men aren't left on the streets.
When residents at the Haven of Rest were told earlier this month that there was no money left to keep the shelter open, many told me they couldn't believe it and weren't sure where they'd go.
Some had to live in the cafeteria at the Big Bend Homeless Coalition's Hope Community.
Local organizations have been working around the clock to find housing for those men displaced.
Their work now means those like Milton Trice will have a new place to call home.
"It's wonderful," said Trice. "I've never lived in a brand new place before, so it's terrific."
Trice will be among more than 100 people staying now at the Westgate Community.
The complex is so new, the electricity to these units were just turned on Wednesday afternoon.
"This is home," said Rick Kearney, a Westgate Community sponsor. "They're welcome to stay as long as they wish."
"What new says to an individual who has been displaced is we care about you," said Marta Arrington, the director of the Emergency Care and Help Organization. "We respect you. We're not giving you the discards. We're giving you brand new things."
While change is hard for some of the residents of Haven of Rest, they say they're keeping the faith. All of them have been accounted for and they're glad they don't have to worry where they'll go next.
The Good Samaritan Network is overseeing the operations for the Westgate Community.
