Warner Robins celebrates Haven Hope House homeless shelter with ribbon cutting

WARNER ROBINS – Warner Robins came together in celebration of a new city-owned homeless shelter, marking its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony last Friday. On Oct. 17, city officials, community partners and the public celebrated Haven Hope House. 

The ceremony featured tours of the facility, remarks from key players in the initiative and the symbolic ribbon cutting.

Mayor LaRhonda Patrick spoke first, calling the shelter opening a milestone in the community. 

“Today is the ribbon cutting for Haven Hope House, a symbol of safety, strength and renewed healing. Haven Hope House will restore dreams, give back dignity and reunite families. Today did not happen by the city and our vision alone. It took a village to make this come to reality,” Patrick said.

Brian Wise, the shelter’s supervisor, was instrumental in the initiative, Patrick said. He was quick to give glory to God and said working with Patrick on the shelter was a final piece of the puzzle.

“I was out there in the woods one day and I said, ‘Lord, what have you got me to do?’ and He said, ‘Just wait. Something bigger is coming,”” Wise said.

Daily operations at Haven Hope House will be through The Assembly, a local church with an already established homeless outreach program. Lead Pastor Darrell Yarbrough thanked Patrick and Wise for their vision and said the church is humbled to have the opportunity to give the community a hand up.

“We want to see people get [their] life back on track. We want to see people find a way back to work, find a way back to production, find a way back to coming out of things that are difficult for them. We understand sometimes bad things happen, but I’m grateful to see what God is doing through these efforts today,” Yarbrough said.

The shelter will also have support from Middle Flint Behavioral Health Center, the Department of Behavioral Health, First Primary Health Care, and Volunteers of America, among others.  Additional sponsors recognized included Houston County Government and Perdue Farms. Pro Construction of GA and Brothers Stucco, LLC took on construction and renovations.

At a press conference, Patrick said she felt great to see the shelter nearing the finish line.

“We feel amazing to see that the fruits of our labor are finally coming to be … A lot of time, sweat and tears went into making this building get to where it is today. So, we’re really excited,” Patrick said.

The shelter can house 50 individuals, separated by men and women, with an overflow room that can accommodate more. Patrick said a homelessness initiative started during her first year in office and to date has served over 50 as well.

The shelter is designed to be full service, as explained by Yarbrough.

“We’ll provide counseling for them. There’ll be services to have job opportunities, job training. We hope that we can help them transform back into being a part of the community and not just having to lean on the community,” Yarbrough said.

The shelter is expected to be operational soon after final touches, like moving in furniture. Haven Hope House is located at 79 Green Street, Warner Robins.