09-05-2025
New homeless resource center to open in Savannah
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – Friday, Union Mission announced its plan for the former Family Dollar building at 702 West Oglethorpe Avenue in Savannah. The announcement included a preview of the space for a new Resource Center focused on solutions for the area's homeless population.
Union Mission partnered with the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) to help envision the interior and exterior design of the new 8,200 square foot Resource Center through the university's SCAD SERVE Design for Good course. This course includes students in interior design, architecture, graphic design, illustration, design management and other top-ranked degree programs.
'Our talented junior designers spent 10 weeks developing a unique and inviting space that would feel safe, accessible and welcoming for the unhoused community,' said SCAD SERVE Professor Scott Horner. 'While using industry leading technology along with knowledge and expertise gained from world-leading faculty, the students developed insights and innovations through collaboration and cross-pollination to create a space that not only met but exceeded the needs of the client.'
SCAD SERVE Vice President Scott Linzey said, 'For multiple decades SCAD has been dedicated to using university resources to improve lives of citizens in our hometowns. SCAD SERVE Design for Good courses are a perfect manifestation of that as they provide focused innovation and strategic creativity to non-profit organizations who would otherwise not have access to the superior design thinking of SCAD students.'
The expansion is the next step Union Mission's successful Day Center at Grace House with services that provide case management, mental health counseling, workforce development, engagement and many other wrap-around services that help the homeless address barriers to employment and housing.
'This expansion will provide space to increase Union Mission's impact,' said Michael Traynor, President & CEO of Union Mission. 'It will help us better collaborate and engage to offer a wide range of our own and partner services, providing holistic support that meets immediate needs and empowers people on their journey to self-sufficiency.'
Union Mission opened its Day Center more than 28 months ago and has filled a critical community need. Homelessness was leaving many unhoused individuals with no place to go during the day. In partnership with the City of Savannah and the Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless, the Day Center provides support services and warm meals for men and women seeking respite six days a week. While initially planning to serve 50 clients daily, the Day Center now averages 119 per day, with a recent record of 144.
Since its inception, the Day Center has served 1,551 individuals with more than 48,000 visits and 120,000 meals. The new Resource Center will include a Day Center, but the current center's growth requires a strategic expansion to increase solutions and better serve the communities dynamic needs.
The new Resource Center will offer the following:
An expanded Day Center to serve up to 150 attendees each day to include a serving kitchen, dining space, designated private space for nursing services and laundry services to address basic needs.
Supportive services and enrichment opportunities to include counseling, support groups, visiting partner services and workforce training and placement.
Intake, assessment and housing program navigation with case management, program intake and assessment, connections to benefits and resources and solutions to housing barriers.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
