Thrive warming shelter
Harrisburg youth in need of a safe place to go have a new option.
City-based Thrive Housing Services on Monday held its grand opening of a warming shelter in Midtown for children, teens and young adults experiencing homelessness.
“We wanted to make this a space that is nice and cozy so that they can feel like they have family, they can feel like they have friends, they can feel like they belong somewhere and their voice is heard,” said Dee Allen, Thrive’s executive director.
The service center, at 1122 N. 3rd St., will serve as a place for young people to hang out, rest, get snacks and find connections with service providers that can help them with things like housing and basic needs.
Thrive warming shelter
“We definitely are going to make sure that they get the things that they need so they can move forward out of homelessness,” Allen said.
Thrive currently offers housing across the city for young adults experiencing homelessness. Allen described the new center as a way to reach more young people in need of help.
Youth ages 10 to 24 are welcome to utilize the center. Up to 20 youth can be in the center at once.
“Our children and young people in this community certainly need space to belong,” said Randie Yeager, Dauphin County Human Services director. “I’m just so excited for this opportunity for our young people.”
The property, which also includes 1120 N. 3rd St., was previously owned by Heartshine, a group that renovated the property and planned to open a pay-what-you-can restaurant. However, that restaurant was never completed or opened. Heartshine later gifted the property to Thrive.
In addition to the warming center, Thrive plans to re-start the pay-what-you-can restaurant in the building that is set back beyond a small courtyard. They are also working to renovate and build out four apartments for Thrive clients above the warming center building. Allen said that those two projects are projected to be complete at the end of the year, but are heavily dependent on funding.
Planned pay-what-you-can restaurant next to the warming shelter
Allen described the restaurant as a way for anyone to be served food and given dignity, regardless of their income level and ability to pay. There will be suggested menu prices provided. The restaurant will also employ Thrive clients, giving the young adults job training and experience.
While the restaurant and apartments are still in the works, Allen said that she wanted to get the warming center open first, due to the recent extreme cold temperatures.
“It was two degrees last week,” Allen said. “We interviewed a kid last week, right before it got cold, and he was staying behind in a pizza shop […] I was like, we’ve got to hurry up.”
Thrive warming shelter
For more information about Thrive Housing Services or to donate, visit their website.
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