Renderings for proposed new Salvation Army ANEW Center

The Jamestown Planning Commission has approved a site plan for the Salvation Army’s ANEW center while tabling site plans for Chautauqua Opportunities‘ Women’s Homeless Shelter.

The site plan approval for the Salvation Army facility is contingent on approval by City Department of Development staff.

The Salvation Army received $3.8 million to relocate and build a new homeless shelter for women and children. The new two-story building will have seven units and 19 beds. This $4.8 million project will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, create six additional beds and allows services staff to have offices in the same building.

The money is being administered by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance through the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program.

The Planning Commission, under staff recommendation, tabled COI’s site plan for 303 Lafayette Street until September in order to further review building plans.

The facility will be able to shelter 18 women. It’s being funded through a $2.49 million grant from the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

Chautauqua Opportunities Director of Housing Josiah Lamp, speaking at a City Council meeting in February, said the City of Jamestown also is providing a $110,000 match through Community Development Block Grant funds. He said operating funds will come from the Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services as well as from Chautauqua Opportunities.

Diana Butcher, Program Director Anew Center, Major Kim Merchant from the Salvation Army, JTA President Stephanie Sardi and JTA Local Action Project Chairperson

The Jamestown Teachers Association has donated $1,192 to the Salvation Army Anew Center.

The JTA selects a charity or community organization twice a year to send a donation helping them continue to make an impact on the community.

The Anew Center plans to use the money to purchase items for special needs children who are being cared for in the Center.

JTA also is holding a Winter Social that will benefit the Chautauqua County Humane Society. Members bring in items on the CCHS Wish List and the money raised from the 50/50 raffle will be delivered to the pets at the local shelter.

The Salvation Army of Jamestown

The Salvation Army will relocate its ANEW center and build a new two-story building with seven units and 19 beds. This $4.8 million project will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, create six additional beds and allows services staff to have offices in the same building.

The money is being administered by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance through the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program.

The Chautauqua County Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault sponsored the events.

Project Crossroads Program Manager Elizabeth Bracey said they want to get the word out, “People need to know that there’s help. There’s a lot of resources out there, more than anyone could ever know. And unfortunately people don’t realize the resources until there is a need, so I think it’s important to get the word out and to recognize the victims of domestic violence.”

The events are part of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The ‘Salvation Army’s Anew Center and State Senator George Borrello have partnered to collect donated cell phones and chargers to help domestic violence survivors and crime victims.

Under the “State of Hope” Program, donated phones will be refurbished and factory reset with new SIM cards, protecting phone donors’ information and that of recipients. Survivors will also receive pre-paid phone cards.

Phones are required to be 3G or higher and must be dropped off with chargers. Those interested in donating items can bring them to Senator Borrello’s office in Jamestown at 2 East Second St. Suite 302.

Salvation Army’s Anew Center Program Director Diana Butcher said the Jamestown center receives around 350 hot-line calls each month and typically provides about 125 people, including domestic-violence survivors, with emergency shelter every year.

• AUDIO ALSO AVAILABLE AT SOUNDCLOUD

WRFA’s Jason Sample talks with Mary, CJ and Sabrina from V-Day 2020 CHQ about the upcoming SOLD OUT performance of The Vagina Monologues at the Reg Lenna in Jamestown on Feb. 28 and Feb. 29.

V-Day 2020 CHQ has been granted the rights for a V-Day benefit production of Eve Ensler’s award-winning play, “The Vagina Monologues” to raise money and awareness for local organizations that work to stop violence against women and girls. This production will be presented at The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts in the newly remodeled 3rd Floor Multi Media Studio.

100% of the proceeds from the show will go directly to The Salvation Army Anew Center in Jamestown, NY.

The Salvation Army Anew Centers mission is to empower those impacted by Domestic and Sexual violence. They promote the health and well being of the people in Chautauqua County by ensuring the availability of quality, comprehensive crisis intervention services to all victims of domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault.

The free family event is open to all, and features Chautauqua County’s largest backpack and school supply giveaway as well as food, music, bounce houses, children’s games, and face painting. New this year is the addition of a petting zoo. The event is cohosted by the Salvation Army and the Anew Center. Sponsors include BlueCross BlueShield of WNY, YourCare Health Plan, Lakeshore Savings Bank, Walmart, and the United Way of Northern Chautauqua County.

Local vendors are also in attendance to provide youth and parents with information and resources from approximately 40 community organizations, including education programs, health, advocacy and support services.

National Health Center Week is an annual celebration to raise awareness about the mission and accomplishments of America’s health centers. This year’s theme is “Rooted in Communities.” The Chautauqua Center is a federally qualified health center that provides much needed health and support services to people throughout the Chautauqua region. The center facilitates events and giveaways that benefit the whole community, not just their patients. In honor of the Rooted in Communities theme, the Chautauqua Center will give approximately 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies throughout the county this summer. A large portion will be distributed at the Family Fun Day event in Dunkirk. The rest will go to students in Jamestown’s LEAP camps and the summer playground groups.

The Chautauqua Center works with community members and local school districts to ensure that children have adequate access to health care and ancillary services (i.e. counseling, dental care, etc.). In addition, the center works directly with many collaborative partners to address social determinants of health such as housing issues, insurance enrollment, and food access. Their mission is to deliver comprehensive, high quality patient-centered health and support services in the Chautauqua region.

The Chautauqua Center has locations in Dunkirk and Jamestown and is always accepting new patients. Services include primary care, pediatrics, behavioral health, dental care, substance abuse services, care coordination, pharmacy and nutrition education. Hours are Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.- 7 p.m; Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.thechautauquacenter.org. To schedule an appointment for you and your family, call (716) 363-6050 to speak with a bilingual patient registration specialist.

The Post-Journal reports the board voted 3 to 2 Thursday against the Salvation Army’s petition to change zoning, which was required in order for the project to move forward. With the rejection, the establishment of a New York state certified domestic violence support center and refuge was also declined.

The post-journal says many residents who attended the meeting were against the establishment of the support center because of fear. Some domestic violence survivors even spoke out against the creation of such a center because of the potential dangers that would follow.

The proposed shelter would have allowed for 19 domestic violence victims to seek safe harbor. Prior to being defeated by the town board it was approved by the Ellery Planning Board and the Chautauqua County Planning Board.

The Salvation Army has been searching for 15 years to relocate its domestic violence shelter, which is currently in the city of Jamestown, due to the current facility being inadequate to meet the needs of the victims being served.

The Salvation Army in Jamestown has been looking to relocate its Anew Center for the past couple years because the current facility doesn’t adequately meet the needs of the organization.

According to the Post-Journal, the Salvation Army is seeking to move operations to a new building that would allow for 19 staff and about 20 beds.

Because of confidentiality and safety issues with the victims who use the shelter, the specific location has not been publicly announced.

According to the Post-Journal, two town hall-style meetings have been held in Ellery to allow public input on the $2.5 million project. Some residents in Ellery have raised concerns about security and potential for violence with bringing a shelter to the area, but the Salvation Army has found the project site to be well-equipped for safety of the residents.

To bring the new center to fruition, a zoning change needs to be issued to allow for the support center. The Planning Board unanimously approved the change referral. A public hearing on the relocation will now be discussed today with the Ellery Planning Board.

Funding through the federal Violence Against Women Act was increased by nearly $662,000 to support programs offered by non-profit organizations, hospitals and law enforcement agencies across the state.

Locally, the Salvation Army in Jamestown will receive $35,000 to fund a case manager, who will help provide services and outreach to domestic violence victims, with a focus on under-served rural and/or Hispanic victims.