Shelter Aims to Increase Capacity

Homeless Intervention and Shelter House, a transitional living center, is embarking on a fund-raising campaign to significantly increase the facility’s capacity.

The goal, said shelter director Patricia Long, is to mount a $200,000 expansion project so that up to 40 residents can be housed at one time. There are now 25 beds at the facility.

“The need is so great in the community,” Long said. “I’ve been here for 14 months and we’ve run full the entire time.”

The shelter hosts a dessert social fund-raiser from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday. The main fund-raiser will be the facility’s annual auction, scheduled for Nov. 2.

The original structure at the site, 907 N. Bradford Ave., was a farmhouse built in 1915. Later, owners of the property included a sorority at Cal State Fullerton and the Knights of Columbus fraternal organization.

In 1989, the property was acquired by Placentia Presbyterian Church, which converted the old farmhouse into a shelter as part of an outreach program serving the homeless.

Today, the center houses men, women and children who are allowed to stay for up to 120 days. Professional counseling is available, along with employment guidance and classes in legal issues, self-esteem, budgeting and other topics.

“Our target is for people to become employed within the first 60 days,” Long pointed out, “then they’ll have an additional 60 days to save money for housing.”

Information on the shelter is available by calling: (714) 993-5774.