By Arianne Aryanpur
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Because of community opposition, Good Shepherd Alliance has abandoned plans to operate a drop-in center for the homeless at a building in Ashburn, the group's executive director said today.
Good Shepherd, a Christian nonprofit, broke ground last week on the Center of Hope, a facility on Ashburn Road that was supposed to house the non-profit’s administrative offices, a thrift store and a daytime drop-in center where the homeless could grab a meal or receive job information and referrals to social services.
But some Ashburn residents started a petition drive last week opposing the drop-in center, saying they feared it would bring drug addicts, criminals and the mentally ill to Ashburn.
Since then, Good Shepherd officials have met with Loudoun County Supervisor Lori Waters (R-Broad Run) and county staff members to discuss the possibility of opening a drop-in center at another location and having it run by the county rather than by the nonprofit, said Lyle Werner, the group's executive director.
"We are talking to the county about them doing a drop-in center," Werner said. "It is desperately needed."
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Good Shepherd currently offers daytime drop-in services for the homeless at its administrative office on Sycolin Road in Leesburg, but it plans to close the Leesburg facility when it moves into the Ashburn building. Werner said county staff members are amenable to the idea of a county-run drop-in center and have identified a possible location in a non-residential area of Leesburg. She said she hoped another center would open in time to avoid any interruption in services.
The Ashburn building, in addition to the offices and thrift store, will offer services to homeless women and families by appointment only, Werner said. Good Shepherd officials have said it may open as early as January.
Waters will host a community meeting about the Center of Hope at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Ashburn Elementary School, 44062 Fincastle Drive. Good Shepherd officials will also attend.
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