Recently, the Community Foundation of the Dan River Region signed a partnership agreement with the Temporary Relief and Counseling Center on Shelton Street in Danville to create the Temporary Relief and Counseling Center Fund.
“The Community Foundation has partnered with organizations since 1996 to improve the quality of life, provide support for those in need, and create life-changing opportunities,” said The Foundation’s Executive Director Dan Hayes.
The fund has been established to receive and account for fundraising contributions to benefit, both now and in the future, improvements to the Temporary Relief and Counseling Center (TRCC). As a nonprofit organization staffed entirely by volunteers, the center made the decision to partner with The Foundation so donors can rest assured the organization is vetted. The Foundation’s ability to process gifts (checks, online donations, stock, or contributions from retirement accounts) is an added benefit for the center.
“Through the Temporary Relief and Counseling Center Fund, TRCC is launching a capital renovation campaign to construct shower facilities, develop a commercial-grade kitchen, and enhance its ability to provide life-changing services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, housing instability and economic hardship throughout the Dan River Region,” said Pastor Willis Ferrell, the Temporary Relief and Counseling Center’s volunteer executive director. “These improvements are critical to expanding our ability to serve those in need throughout the Dan River Region. To meet this need will cost $250,000.
“Our goal is to complete this project by November 1, in advance of the reopening of our Warming Center for overnight shelter services. Having these facilities operational before the winter season will greatly enhance the safety, dignity, and quality of services available to those seeking refuge during periods of extreme cold. No federal, state, or local government funding is being used for this project. The success of this effort depends entirely upon the generosity of foundations, businesses, churches, civic organizations and individual donors who share our commitment to serving our most vulnerable neighbors.”
Since its inception, the Temporary Relief and Counseling Center has focused on supporting the services that are already in existence. In addition, they have added counseling resources to support advocacy as well as workforce readiness. The ministry operates an emergency cooling station during periods of extreme heat and an overnight warming center when temperatures reach 40 degrees or below. The center also has a biweekly community food distribution program, which has become an important part of their outreach to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.
Gifts to support the TRCC’s fundraising efforts can be made online by visiting The Foundation’s website, clicking Give Today and then typing the fund’s name into the Fund Catalog or by clicking Donate Now and scrolling through the fund listing to select the Temporary Relief and Counseling Center Fund. Donors may also mail a check to The Foundation’s office (541 Loyal Street, Danville, VA 24541), with TRCC Fund in the memo field.