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New building at Degage Ministries will double the number of beds available

  

In an effort to serve more of the area’s homeless and low income residents, local non-profit Degage Ministries announced they will be demolishing their building in Grand Rapids Heartside neighborhood and constructing a new $6 million replacement.

Marge Palmerlee is the executive Director at Degage Ministries. She says, there are two reasons for the build: one, the current building is over 130 years and not structurally sound, and two, because they are at full capacity most nights, the shelter has been having to turn women and children. Something Palmerlee says, is unacceptable.

“You know we have room every night for 40 women,” Palmerlee said. “And I had a women call me up begging to let her and her children sleep in the stairwell, and we just said, ‘as a community we need to do better’ and care for the least of these.”

A two-and-a-half story building will be constructed and connected with Degage’s headquarters next door. With the construction, Degage’s new dining room will increase by 50 percent, allowing employees to serve 200 residents, while the number of beds will double from 40 to 80, with specific beds reserved solely for women and children.

Construction is set for this spring.