DULUTH — Chum’s shelter and drop-in center made its move to a new temporary home on the Damiano Center’s third floor. The move was made, according to both organizations, to allow for
Chum’s expansion project,
which is slated to begin in October and last for 12-18 months.
According to Chum, the center has become overcrowded with a growing number of people experiencing homelessness. Chum sheltered nearly 1,800 people last year, nearly double the number it served in 2020.
“We could not continue operating in this manner. It is undignified when guests have to sleep in chairs or on the floor,” read a statement from Chum’s newsletter. “Our staff needed more room to function; there was little accommodation for professionals from other agencies to provide services in our building.”
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
The expansion will double Chum’s capacity from 80 to 160 beds and provide more privacy and direct support services.
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
The move to the Damiano
already increases the number of people served, with its newly renovated third-floor space increasing the number of beds to 110 in the interim.
“We have been bursting at the seams for quite a while now,” said Chum’s executive director John Cole in a news release. “This expansion is what it will take to save lives.”
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
Cole said that Chum and Damiano have been in talks for a little over a year to plan the move and allow for as little interruption of service as possible.
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
“We have more than 15,000 square feet renovated for this purpose,” said Seth Currier, Damiano’s executive director, in a statement. “And with our emergency services including free meals, clothing and programming, Chum’s guests can access those services conveniently, as well.”
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
Chum also recently purchased a building at 25 W. First St., formerly the Joseph Nease Gallery, for office space for the administrative, finance and development staff, all of whom worked from different office spaces rented from churches or in the shelter building previously. According to a Chum newsletter, the organization needed space for the 20 staff and storage for items not going over to the Damiano Center during construction.
No direct services will be provided from the location, but it will be a space to receive winter gear donations. The building will be either leased or sold once the expansion project is completed.
A pair of ceremonies were held Thursday evening to mark the move from the First Avenue building to the Damiano Center. Various members of the faith community gathered and shared prayers for Chum’s building project and the new collaboration.
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
Teri Cadeau is a features reporter for the Duluth News Tribune. Originally from the Iron Range, Cadeau has worked for several community newspapers in the Duluth area, including the Duluth Budgeteer News, Western Weekly, Weekly Observer, Lake County News-Chronicle, and occasionally, the Cloquet Pine Journal. When not working, she’s an avid reader, crafter, dancer, trivia fanatic and cribbage player.
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