The Downtown Mission is looking to address any questions the community may have about its move to the Central Library on Ouellette Ave.
Executive Director Ron Dunn recently hosted an open house to speak on the Mission's expansion plan and what the future holds for the organization.
In March 2018, the city announced the sale of the library to the Mission for $3.6-million — since then the Mission announced a $5.5-million plan to convert the 100,000-square-foot building into its new headquarters.
Dunn says the Mission is moving forward because the need is growing.
"It really was about continuing a conversation around the Mission is moving forward because we have to be. We are part of the solution and whether people want to admit it or not, we're downtown because this is where the people are. We're doing the work that we're doing because the people need us to do it."
He says the new building provides endless opportunities.
"When we bought the building we're in now on Victoria Ave, we thought we would grow and serve 100 people. This was a 10-year plan. We've been here now since 2001. It's time for us to move on to a facility that makes sense for the amount of people we're serving. Over 900 meals a day."
Dunn says the move is being done out of necessity.
"Our scope used to be food, and then it became food and clothing, and then it became food, clothing and shelter, and then it became haircuts and income taxes and dozens of services. There is an evolution of everybody and every organization, that's been part of our evolution, but we evolve based on need."
The Mission is expected to start renovations at the Central Library in February 2020.