The recipient entity's physical address:
           722 ADAMS ST. MONROE, LA 71201

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           2252 TOWER DRIVE SUITE 108 BOX 233 MONROE, LA 71201

Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          Charlie Sampognaro
Jon Tellifero
Dix Johnston
Summer Shipley

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  4369

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $650,000

What type of request is this?  Capital Outlay Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           Jon Tellifero - 102 Aspen Circle West Monroe, la 71291
Dr. Summer Shipley 107 Wood Drive Monroe, La 71203
Terry Trichell - 3881 Garrett Rd. Monroe, La 71202
Pearl Wise - 2820 Old Sterlington Rd. Monroe,La 71203
Jon Amos - Monroe, La
Sarita Daniel - 86 Peachtree Dr Monroe LA 71203
Dix Johnston 4200 Deborah Dr. Monroe La 71201
Dr. Charlie Sampognaro 1219 N.19thSt. Monroe, La 71201
Dr. Sovichan Scaria 304 Ingleside Dr. Monroe, la 71203
Charles Taylor 712 Acadian Trace Drive Monroe, La 71201
Executive Director Billy Varner 6414 Cypress Point Drive Monroe, la 71203

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           The Renewal Center of NELA is requesting funding to turn an existing pavilion into an emergency overnight shelter for up to 40 people experiencing homelessness. The project will enclose the pavilion and add bathrooms, showers, commercial laundry facilities, and individual sleeping areas. Other needed improvements will include heating and air conditioning, electrical and plumbing work, and safety features.

The pavilion already has a raised concrete slab, access to electricity, and nearby water and sewer connections. Using the existing structure will help us make the best use of the resources already available.

Our goal is to give people in our community a safe place to sleep, shower, do laundry, and begin working toward getting back on their feet. The Renewal Center already provides meals, showers, laundry services, case management, help obtaining identification, and referrals to other services. An overnight shelter would allow us to help meet another important need in our community.

As a Christ-centered ministry, we believe everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and compassion. This project will help us serve people experiencing homelessness and give them an opportunity to work toward stable housing and a better future.

The estimated cost of the project is $650,000. Funding will be used for construction, plumbing, bathrooms and showers, laundry equipment, sleeping areas, safety improvements, and other necessary expenses to make the shelter ready for use.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Professional Services. . . $15,000
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $500,000
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $25,000
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $10,000
          Operating Services. . . . $100,000
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $0

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          Not Applicable

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          The Renewal Center of NELA is requesting state funding to convert an existing pavilion into an emergency overnight shelter for up to 40 individuals experiencing homelessness in Northeast Louisiana.

Our community is facing a growing need for emergency shelter, and the resources available are not enough to meet that need. The Salvation Army is the only emergency shelter in our area and has just 28 beds available for men, women, and children. Many individuals seeking shelter are turned away because there is no space available. People are left with nowhere safe to sleep, and some have nowhere to turn for help.

This shortage affects more than those living on the streets. Hospitals struggle to find appropriate places to discharge individuals who have no safe place to go, and our local jail is housing individuals who lack stable living arrangements and other support. There are also no emergency shelter options in our community that will accept individuals with disabilities, leaving some of our most vulnerable neighbors without a safe place to stay.

The proposed project will help address these gaps by enclosing an existing pavilion and adding bathrooms, showers, commercial laundry facilities, and individual sleeping areas. The goal is to provide a safe, accessible, and dignified place for individuals experiencing homelessness, including those who may have difficulty accessing other shelter options.

The Renewal Center already provides meals, hygiene services, case management, assistance obtaining identification and vital documents, and referrals to community resources. As a Christ-centered ministry, we believe everyone deserves compassion, dignity, and an opportunity to rebuild their life. This project will expand our ability to meet an urgent community need and help individuals connect with services and work toward stable housing.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          The primary goal of this project is to increase emergency shelter capacity in Northeast Louisiana and provide a safe place for individuals who have nowhere else to go.

The objectives are to:

Convert an existing pavilion into an emergency overnight shelter with the capacity to serve up to 40 individuals, subject to building and safety requirements.

Install bathrooms, showers, commercial laundry facilities, and individual sleeping areas to meet basic needs for shelter, hygiene, and sanitation.

Make the facility accessible and work to accommodate individuals with disabilities who have limited or no emergency shelter options.

Provide an additional resource for individuals who are turned away from existing shelters because beds are unavailable.

Help connect hospitals, social service agencies, and other community partners with an additional shelter resource for individuals experiencing homelessness who need a safe place to stay.

Connect shelter guests with case management, identification assistance, housing resources, healthcare referrals, and other services that can help them work toward greater stability.

Track the number of individuals served, shelter usage, referrals made, and progress toward permanent housing.

Through this project, The Renewal Center hopes to address a serious gap in local services, reduce the number of people left without safe shelter, and provide a compassionate response to individuals experiencing homelessness in our community.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           The estimated time to complete the project is 12 months from the availability of funding and completion of required approvals. This period will allow time for architectural and engineering work, permits, construction, installation of bathrooms, showers, and laundry facilities, safety inspections, and preparation for shelter operations. The timeline may be adjusted based on permitting, contractor availability, and construction requirements.

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                 N/A
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                 N/A

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                 N/A - The Renewal Center of NELA is a nonprofit with no ownership interests

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                  N/A

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               N/A

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
               N/A

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
                N/A

          What is the nature of the relationship?  N/A

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                 N/A

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               N/A


Contact Information
name:  Summer Shipley 
                                       address:  107 Wood Drive Monroe, La 71203
                                       phone:  3185355302
                                       fax: 
                                       e-mail:  summer.mckinley@yahoo.com
                                       relationship to entity:  Finance Secretary