A new multi-purpose community center in Lower Price Hill makes its debut this fall, but on Tuesday you can get a sneak peek of The Sanctuary.
Jen Walters is president and CEO of Community Matters and Education Matters. She says the $8.6 million renovation of St. Michael the Archangel Church will include a thrift store, a market-style food pantry, event, meeting, office and classroom spaces, and housing for AmeriCorps volunteers working in the neighborhood.
"One of the challenges is being able to afford that year of service," says Walters. "So offering affordable housing and helping them stick to their budget is something we're excited to be able to offer as well."
Walters says the people of Lower Price Hill are often overlooked.
"The reason that we were so excited to be able to do this renovation was not because we wanted to have a thrift store or a food pantry or adult education," says Walters. "It's all about offering access to the opportunity and then the people who are coming to our services decide where they want to go from there. We're not giving them an end product, instead we're just giving them the access to the opportunity."
Public tours of the construction run at noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
A grand opening is set for August 22, 2015.
