Officials agree to apply for grant for Ark House

Nearly 80 clients have passed through the Ark House doors this year.
FARRELL, Pa. -- The city has agreed to serve as the applicant for a $95,000 state grant to help run an emergency shelter operated by the Southwest Gardens Economic Development Corp.
The Ark House, which opened its doors on Fruit Avenue in 1997, provides shelter, food and clothing for homeless women and their children, serving as many as 20 clients at a time.
If the grant is approved, Southwest Gardens, a nonprofit, self-help community organization, will have to match it dollar for dollar.
That can be done through donations, labor provided by volunteers, cash from various Southwest Gardens sources or the purchase of materials and supplies, said Dr. Kimberly Richards, executive director of Southwest Gardens.
The city helps Southwest Gardens seek similar state funds each year.
Richards said Ark House got a state grant of $57,000 from last year's application, which sought $91,000.
The state failed to fund a proposal to include homeless prevention services among the shelter's offerings.
Richards said her agency is trying for funds for that special program again in this year's application, seeking $25,000 to cover expenses such as a one-time mortgage payment, utility payments, security deposits and even rental subsidy that could prevent a family from losing their residence.
Hearing on application
City council had a hearing on the grant application Monday immediately before voting to apply for the grant, and a number of Ark House residents attended the hearing in support of the project.
"The Ark House has given me a home," said a woman who identified herself only as Lois.
"The Ark House was there for me," said a woman identified as Sandra who said she was recently unemployed and separated from her husband and had no place to stay.
Ark House clients can stay up to eight months. While they are there, they can get a variety of training and other assistance from more than 15 social service agencies that work with Southwest Gardens, Richards said.
Ark House also has recently launched a new partnership with local churches to help provide transportation, supportive services and assistance in finding permanent housing, she said.
There are 18 people living there, and the Ark House has served 78 people so far this calendar year, she said.
The grant application must be filed in Harrisburg by Friday, she said.