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State Farm donation to kick-start homeless center renovation
Company's foundation gives Billy Shelper Center $150,000
By Mary Ann Ford
mford@pantagraph.com
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BLOOMINGTON -- A multi-phased renovation of Home Sweet Home Ministries’ Billy Shelper Center got a financial boost from State Farm Cos. Foundation that will allow work to begin this spring.

The foundation gave the center $150,000, which takes current funding for the project to about $500,000, said Nathan Ruby, vice president of the ministries’ resource development. The rest of the money came from individual donations.

“We’d like to say thank you to State Farm Cos. Foundation for this wonderful gift,” said Ruby during a press conference Tuesday. “It’s a needed project. The last (renovation) was in the 1970s after a fire.”

Ruby said the money makes it possible to tackle the first two phases of a $1.9 million renovation project at the homeless center, 303 E. Oakland Ave. The first two phases include replacing the 89 windows and renovating the third floor to create offices and meeting spaces.

Julie Roth, vice president of client services, said the renovation will include a flexible dormitory that will allow the center to accommodate all who need a place to stay. That space also will be used during the thirdand fourth phases of the renovation project, which include renovating the fourth-floor and second-floor living spaces.

The center has 112 beds available and typically serves about 100 people a night.

Ruby said Home Sweet Home has applied for a $750,000 grant from a federal home loan bank. If it comes through, the money would cover the thirdand fourth phases of work. Officials should know about the grant in July, he said.

“They give you the criteria ahead and we match extremely well,” said Ruby. “Based on our look at things, we’re well positioned for the grant.”

Ruby said all of the work will be done on a pay-as-you-go basis. “It’s not the right time to venture into a capital campaign,” he said.

If the federal grant does not come through, Ruby said, “We’ll do fundraising as we go and start (projects) as we have available money.”

Doud Builders is expected to start replacing the windows this spring, Roth said. The renovation work will start in early summer.

Ruby said the center was “profoundly grateful” to State Farm for the contribution.

“State Farm has been a long-time partner,” he said, donating computers, corporate and foundation money and a “substantial number of volunteers for years.”

Willie Brown, executive vice president of State Farm, said Home Sweet Home is a “unique, special organization in the community quietly providing a great need.”

He noted the center’s many programs including one that helps the homeless transition to independence, a GED program and job training.

“If they weren’t here, what would we do in our community?” Brown asked.

Take a look
Volunteer Debbie Schippert of Carlock helps serve up a Thanksgiving Day meal at Home Sweet Home Ministries in Bloomington in 2007. (Pantagraph file photo/CARLOS T. MIRANDA)
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Reader comments on this story - 6 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

keep after it wrote on Mar 19, 2008 3:10 PM:

" Thanks to State Farm for continuing to keep our community a safe place for the less fortunate to exist. BUT, the mission has recieved monies over last several years for the shelter, and still, the projects have never been started, let alone finished. Lets get it done this time, and be respectful for what SF has done in good faith. Those needy derserve no less than that! signed, keep after it. "

Red Reeky wrote on Mar 19, 2008 9:19 AM:

" People should pause and consider what Bloomington would be like without State Farm. "

T wrote on Mar 19, 2008 9:18 AM:

" Hey CubFan since you most likely work at the Farm How about all the victims of Katrina? "

Bluegrass American wrote on Mar 19, 2008 8:55 AM:

" And they (State Farm) still have homeless from Katrina. "

michelle24 wrote on Mar 18, 2008 5:36 PM:

" Nuthin but do gooders, I tell ya! :) "

CubFan24 wrote on Mar 18, 2008 3:13 PM:

" But, but... State Farm rips people off. State Farm is evil. Uh uh uh... This can't be a true story.

Thanks STATE FARM for donating to the wellness of the community, as you always do. "
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