An Emergency Housing and Retreat Center:
giving preferential option to those most in need
The SAKO Center (pronounced “SAH-ko”) is named in memory of the artist whose family donated his old homestead to us,
and to honor the indigenous tribes who first inhabited the area, “Shawnee And Kanawha Originally.”
——CURRENTLY UNDER RENOVATION——
CURRENT CONSTRUCTION AND FUTURE SERVICES OFFERED IN COLLABORATION Through
CATHOLIC COMMITTEE OF APPALACHIA,
APPALACHIAN CATHOLIC WORKER,
AND THE WIDER COMMUNITY OF ROANE COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.
FREE SHORT-TERM EMERGENCY HOUSING
(1 to 5 people; up to 5 nights) – for transients, or those affected by house fires, floods, eviction, or waiting for H.U.D. housing vouchers.
FREE MEETING SPACE FOR GRASSROOTS GROUPS ON THE MARGINS-
(meeting space accommodates up to 10 people; for up to 3 days) – Available for groups of women, elderly, youth, people of color, LGBTQ communities for retreats, gatherings, meetings, conferences, staff training, etc.
First, though, the house and grounds need major repairs and improvements. That work has begun with the help of CCA securing $14,600 in grants and gifts and ACW receiving incredibly generous donations from our friends Art Milholland and Luann Mostello and an anonymous volunteer, and Facebook and ‘free-book’ fundraisers, for a total of $6,500.
So far, we have:
- a new roof
- a secured entrance
- we’re hooked up to electric
- we had 4 dead trees removed
- and new siding on the outside of the house
Remaining projects to complete before opening:
- rewiring, plumbing,
- new flooring, cabinets, cupboards, paint
- a staircase, propane heaters, and maintenance equipment for the grounds