UMOM Dedicates New, Improved Women’s Center


UMOM New Day Centers, Arizona’s largest provider of shelter and services to the homeless, dedicated the new Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation Center for Women on June 20.
The newly renovated facility, which was partially supported by a grant from the City of Phoenix, will provide housing and supportive services to homeless, single women.
The center will be the first shelter in Maricopa County designed specifically for single, homeless women and will greatly expand UMOM’s services for women in need of housing.
Previously, homeless women were cared for at the Watkins Emergency Shelter, where 130 women slept in cots in an open room, only received one meal a day and had to compete for just 30 showers.
“Fifteen years ago, when I first started as CEO at UMOM and visited Watkins for the first time, I knew someday we could do better,” said UMOM CEO Darlene Newsom. “I seldom left Watkins not in tears.”
The new center, a renovated motel, can also accommodate housing for up to 130 women every night, and each woman staying at the center will be provided with necessities such as nutritious meals three times a day, clothing, linens and hygiene items.
“We took a good step with the opening of Watkins. Good services were provided there,” said Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton. “Now, we’ve gone from good to great. This is a huge improvement and a step in the right direction.”
The women will be able to stay at the center for up to 120 days, and will be housed in a room with only two or three others, with access to a private bath. Emergency pull cords, 24/7 staffing and security protocols will ensure residents’ safety.
“We talk a lot about homeless men and homeless families, but how often do we talk about homeless women?” said Newsom. “So you can see why this is a happy day for our community: finally, in 2017, we have a full-service shelter for single women.”
Additionally, the women who stay at the center will be connected to resources specific to their needs. Women will be able to begin moving in this July.
“Like so many of UMOM’s programs and services, the Halle Women’s Center is an innovative approach to ending homelessness,” said Arizona Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema in a statement. “For too long, single homeless women in Maricopa County had limited options for emergency shelter…That changes today.”
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and UMOM CEO, Darlene Newsom, both spoke at the event.
 

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