City Mission opens new homeless women’s shelter

This new space will increase the City Mission’s capacity to serve homeless women by 35 additional beds.

Despite the rainy weather Wednesday, City Mission in Washington is bringing light to many lives by officially opening a new homeless women’s shelter.

Community members, county officials, and City Mission staff came together for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of Sally’s Sanctuary, a new homeless women’s shelter on the City Mission campus. City Mission President and CEO Diana Irey Vaughan expressed appreciation to everyone who played a part in bringing the project to fruition.

“We extend our gratitude to all who have played a part in this journey, too numerous to mention,” Irey Vaughan said. “Over the years, I’ve witnessed City Mission evolve, overcome incredible challenges such as our fire 10 years ago, and grow stronger, always remaining one of Washington County’s Cornerstone organizations for compassion and care.”

The new facility will have over 50 beds for unhoused single women and mothers with children. Sally’s Sanctuary has been in the works for years, but in January 2023, they began a fundraising campaign for the project, which helped bring it to reality.

City Mission has a history that goes back to 1941, which has made it an essential part of Washington and the surrounding communities. Currently, City Mission provides shelters for men, women, women with children, and veterans.

The Sally’s Sanctuary facility will provide 35 additional beds for homeless women. The $8.3 million facility has three floors, which include multiple suites, an emergency shelter, laundry rooms, common areas, of- fice space, and a childcare center.

The new facility was named after Sally Mounts, the former chief develop – ment officer for City Mis – sion. During the ribbon-cut –

ting ceremony, Mounts highlighted how many peo – ple it took to put together Sally’s Sanctuary. “Former CEO Dean Gartland came up with the idea of a large shelter for homeless women 15 years ago, and he never gave up on the idea,” Mounts said. “Current CEO Diana Irey Vaughan ran a dozen mar – athons and half marathons across the United States to raise money for the shelter. Brian Kengor spent count – less hours overseeing the construction. CFO Mike Namie and Development Director Melissa Mari – on slid right into making this their top priority when they came to the Mission in 2024.” Mounts listed the names of everyone involved, in –

cluding Washington County Commissioner Larry Mag – gi. “They do a lot of good things for Washington County,” Maggi said. “We got the county facility, the county jail, right next to this place where a lot of folks will come out and come straight over here to get ser – vices. So it’s very important to Washington County what they do, what they service, and what they provide, and we need to support it, and that’s why I’m here today, to make sure we support it and continue supporting it in the future.” After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, participants toured the facility. The Mon Valley Independent partici – pated in a tour led by Shel – by Lonce, the City Mission donor relations manager, in which she highlighted that the age of those who come to shelters varies greatly. During the tour, she talked about their use of StepUp Beds, which allow for more privacy and an easier time despite age differences. “Right now we have a 19-year-old in a single woman’s shelter and we have somebody who is in their mid-70s,” Lonce said. “So the age range between the women that come to us is significant.” Molly Greenfield and Stephanie Hankle will be two of the new residents at Sally’s Sanctuary, and they were thankful for ev –

erything City Mission has done. The new facility in – cludes a new Resident As – sistant program, and Han – kle will be one of the new in-facility RAs.

“I’m mostly excited about being able to house more women and watch people grow and get their lives back,” Hankle said. “That’s what the main part of this is, and it’s going to be amaz – ing, and to be a part of that, to be the first people to be in there to do that. It’s going to be amazing.” For those who are afraid to come to City Mission, Hankle and Greenfield em – phasized that City Mission truly changed their lives. Greenfield has been a part of the in-facility work pro – gram, which has helped her get back on track.

“I would tell women, I know it’s hard to step out of the familiar and to step out of darkness, but you’re stepping into a light and a light that gives yourself back to you,” Greenfield said. “I, in a previous life, worked in drug and alcohol treatment, and I feel a pro – gram like this is actually really necessary for most people coming out of a short-term residential treat – ment facility.

“That I can be here for 18 months, not have to worry about where I’m going to live for 18 months. And get my work history back to – gether. Get my medical is – sues resolved. Get my work on my mental health, get my finances in order. It’s such a gift. It frees you.” Information and contact information for those who may need help can be found at https://www.citymission. org/contact. Information about donations can also be found on their website. City Mission is current – ly accepting donations for Sally’s Sanctuary through an Amazon wishlist that can be found at https://www. amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ ls/2YB5LUWUHYG02/ ref=hz_ls_biz_ex.