New London – Agencies that provide a range of services for the homeless will soon be getting newly renovated space to work in thanks to $86,300 approved by the state Bond Commission this week.

Cathy Zall, the executive director of the New London Homeless Hospitality Center, said the money will help renovate a portion of a former church rectory and provided a much-needed private setting for meetings.

Zall said one of the keys to helping the homeless, other than providing a temporary place to stay, is connecting them to supportive services.

“Right now there is no place people can meet one-on-one with a mental health counselor or representative" from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Zall said. “It’s hard to tell your story in a room with a lot of people around. This particular grant is about increasing collaborations.”

Zall said she envisions visits from staff of places like the Covenant Shelter and Columbus House, which offers services for homeless veterans and their families.

Ted Olycinw, a volunteer with New London Homeless Hospitality Center who helped oversee the $1.2 million renovation of the former Sts. Peter & Paul Polish National Church into the 50-bed shelter it is today, is the project manager for the upcoming renovation work.

Olycinw said the 800-square-foot attic of the 100-year-old church rectory, which is adjacent to the shelter at 325 Huntington St., will be converted into three offices and some storage space.

The shelter currently houses beds on the upper floor of the former church. The ground-level floor is used as community space and the cellar has been converted into a respite center for homeless with medical issues who need temporary 24-hour placement for medical issues. The beds on the top floor are only open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

He said one of the pressing needs for the agency is to move people out of the shelter and “into independent life.” The future office space and collaborations with other outside agencies will help do that, he said.

Work on the project is expected to start within the next six months.

“We’re always trying to improve what we’re doing,” Zall said. “This is a good investment.”

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