• Rotary Year: 2022-2023
  • Application Date: 6/15/2022
  • Club Name: Winchester
  • Project Name: Winchester Rescue Mission-New Expanded Location
  • Project Total Expenditures: $40,000.00
  • Grant Amount Requested: $4,000.00
  • Describe the Project, its location and its objectives: This portion of the building remodel has an overall estimated cost of $40,000., of which $8000 (50% club, 50% District Grant) will help fund painting and shelter beds.

    The building currently being renovated is a 12,000 sq ft building located at 2655 Valley Ave., Winchester, which will house an emergency shelter, community dining room, day center, classroom space and relocation of our current Center for Men. With this opening, we will relocate our Center for Women into our current downtown location allowing for the increase our capacity to house women from 8 to 35 as well as provide housing for families and single parents. This expansion closes critical gaps in services for our community.

    Funding from Rotary would be utilized to purchase supplies to finish the emergency shelter space including paint, PVC wall sheeting and the emergency shelter beds. Unique features of the space include the PVC wall sheeting which allow for the walls to be sanitized daily. The shelter beds are made specifically for high use commercial areas.

    Current challenges are immense:

    1. There is no low-barrier emergency shelter for individuals to stay regardless of sobriety, mental health, or other barriers.
    2. There is no Day Center for individuals to escape the weather, rest and get connected to services.
    3. Our current facility which houses our Center for Men is landlocked, lacks capacity, and new changes to zoning prevent expansion.
    4. Our current Center for Women is only able to house 8 ladies and is unable to be expanded due to zoning and feasibility in the home.
    5. Community lacks enough housing and support for women fleeing domestic violence.
    6. Our current facility is down to 400 sq ft of space staff resulting in 3-4 to an office and struggle to find space for private client meetings.
    7. 3 offices have been converted to bedrooms for individuals with higher medical needs.
    8. Our community room/chapel/classroom/resident lockers have been converted to bed space to increase capacity.
  • This is the Club’s: Primary Project Application
  • Expected Start Date: 10/1/2022
  • Expected End Date: 2/4/2023
  • Expected Number of Beneficiaries: 85
  • Describe how the project will benefit the community and/or improve the lives of the less fortunate: • Men and Women over 18 years old experiencing homelessness who need immediate shelter, basic needs met and support.
    • Individuals and families struggling in our community and living below the poverty threshold who need assistance with community referrals, applications for resources, access for telehealth appointments as well as basic needs.
    • We welcome all, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, national origin, disability, household composition, housing status and/or belief system.
  • Estimated Total Project Volunteer Hours: 150
  • Describe the Rotarian hands-on activities in the project (i.e. non-financial participation): All club members will be encouraged to work alongside WRM staff on this project to bring the space to life at this remodeled facility by assisting with painting, installation of the wall sheeting and setting up all the beds to welcome guests.
  • Describe the publicity plan to inform the general public that this is a Rotary sponsored project: • Rotary will be recognized on the permanent donor wall display at the shelter’s main entrance
    • Utilize social media and website as supporter of the project
    • Rotary Club of Winchester Public Relations Chair will submit news article to local and regional newspapers
    • Rotarians from all local clubs and local newspapers will be invited to participate in the Grand Opening
  • Cooperating Organizations – Please list each cooperating organization, if any: Winchester Rescue Mission
  • Letter(s) of Participation: Winchester_Resuce_Mission_Emergency_Shelter_Letter1.pdf
  • Project Expenditure Budget – list detail uses of funds for the project, or use the Budget Upload: See Budget Upload
  • Project Funding Budget – list detail sources of funds for the project, or use the Budget Upload: See Budget Upload
  • Budget Upload:Winchester_Rescue_Mission_budget.xls
  • Primary Contact Name: Darla J McCrary
  • Primary Contact Rotary Position: Past President 2012-2013
  • Primary Contact Email: darla.mccrary1@gmail.com
  • Primary Contact Phone: 540.336.9114
  • Financial Contact Name: Jaime Karalis
  • Financial Contact Rotary Position: Club President 2022-2023
  • Financial Contact Address: 
    238 Canyon Rd.
    Winchester, VA 22602
    United States View on Map
  • Financial Contact Email: jaimekaralis@gmail.com
  • Financial Contact Phone: 612.220.3706
  • District Grant Project Authorization LetterWRM_Proj_Auth_Letter_2022.pdf
  • Project Supporting Uploads:Winchester_Rescue_Mission_New_Location.jpg, WRM_New_Location.jpg, WRM_New_Location.jpg2.jpg, WRM_New_Location.jpg3jpg.jpg
  • Grant Number: 2022-20
  • Grant Award: $4,000.00