Additional Donations Needed For Fresh Start’s Building Renovation

LINCOLN–(KFOR Oct. 26)–A women’s shelter in northeast Lincoln is in the middle of renovations to their building near 64th and Havelock and are about $225,000 short of their $1.5-million campaign to pay for the upgrades.

Fresh Start began the campaign in 2020 and have raised $1,274,000 so far from individuals, companies and foundations. That includes $274,000 in American Rescue Plan funds.

“While our 90-year old building has served us well, we need to modernize the building to make it more functional for residents today and in the future,” said Monica Zinke,
Executive Director of Fresh Start. “One of the most critical needs emerged from the pandemic when our residents had to share the only private space to take telehealth
appointments or have conversations that required privacy.”

In addition to repairs to address wear-and-tear and safety of the large, spacious kitchen, the remodel will turn underutilized spaces into computer areas for filling out
applications and researching resources. Additional spaces of respite will be created in the loft and the outside courtyard will be refreshed for greater usability.

Fresh Start works to support women by offering a safe environment in which they can stay for up to a year.  Services are offered to women 19 years and older who are homeless for any reason. The target population is women without children or without minor children in their custody, because there is a gap in services for this population who often wait longer to receive aid. In 2022, Fresh Start served 50 women, and has a constant waitlist for services.

Zinke says To help donate toward the project for Fresh Start, go to freshstarthome.org.