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October 27, 2009

Working to reopen Deborah’s House: ‘Transitional shelter’ for single mothers, their children

By Brian M. Boyce

TERRE HAUTE — Months of work behind them, activists for the homeless see light ahead for the reopening of Deborah’s House.

“Mainly it’s just messiness,” Bernard Ryan remarked Monday inside the house at 2808 S. 111/2 St.

Deborah’s House is a property operated by Families By Choice, a not-for-profit organization working to combat homelessness in the Wabash Valley. Ryan said the group purchased the 3,000-square-foot house about three years ago and uses it as a “transitional shelter” for single mothers and their children. Its partner property, Timothy House, hosts young men 18 years and older while they transition from foster care, he explained.

But at present, much of the first floor of Deborah’s House is gutted to the studs.

The rest of the first floor and most of the second are full of clothes, toys, plates, dishes and personal property of former residents. The property was condemned and vacated in August, but the group received a work permit Monday and plan to renovate at full steam, Ryan explained.

The property was housing nine people from different families when the resident supervisor left, he said. Ryan, who co-founded Families By Choice with his wife, Muriel, said everyone involved believed the women and children living there would be able to manage unsupervised. But holes in the walls and hanging electrical sockets, dirt and stains across the carpet all show differently, Ryan acknowledged, noting that plans have been implemented to ensure future supervision.

Muriel Ryan said, “The model works,” referring to the transitional properties, but both agreed supervision is a must. “We are definitely looking for house supervisors,” she said, explaining that the role is ideal for those on fixed or reduced incomes who want the benefits of a multigenerational household. The supervisors live in the house rent-free, she said, adding that utilities are prorated among those who live in the home. “I think it’s ideal for couples who are retired, who have raised families so kids don’t get on their nerves,” she said, adding that some of the younger, single mothers need a little “coaching.”

Residents in the Deborah’s House program are employed and use the group living for 18 to 24 months while saving money and gaining skills to move out on their own. “Ours is the only transitional housing in town,” Muriel Ryan said, explaining that most facilities offer “crisis housing” or shelter managed from a standpoint of immediacy.

The cost to bring Deborah’s House back into operation is about $5,000, she said, adding that “we don’t necessarily need that in money.” Donated drywall and other materials are coming in and the group is soliciting volunteer workers. “Labor’s the biggest thing.”

Muriel Ryan said women are ready and waiting to use the facility, and they hope to have it done by November’s end. “Actually, we’d love to have it done before Thanksgiving,” she said.

Phil Morin stepped through the open studs of the first floor, pointing to work planned for this week. Morin and his family were rendered homeless in March when an apartment in their building exploded because of an alleged meth lab. Morin, his wife and children, currently live in the Ryans’ basement, which has recently been approved as Section 8 housing.

Morin, who is disabled because of a back injury sustained while in the U.S. Air Force, said he’s ready to get to work and just needs a little help. “What we would like to see is people help volunteer,” he said, noting that students from Ivy Tech are already lining up for what they believe could be a relatively quick job, depending on numbers.

“We’re just educators,” Bernard said of his wife and him. “We’re not industrialists or robber barons with a lot of money.”

But the setback hasn’t altered the group’s vision, and Muriel noted that the recent loss of board member Bettie Davis has inspired them to expand with the purchase of another house to be named in her honor.

Anyone who can swing a hammer, experienced or not, is welcome to help, she said.

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