Arneeshia Brewer and her husband, Marcus, are applying their local business expertise in a manner that also expresses their religious faith in action.
This week they have welcomed their first homeless girl into House of Love Emergency Shelter at 720 South Michigan Avenue, which will provide up to eight beds for children ages 6 to 17 who have become wards of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
City Council approval for a share of federal funds is set for Monday’s 6:30 p.m. session.
After more than two years of coping with startup trials and tribulations connected with COVID-19, their dream finally is in place. Arneeshia is director and CEO and also operates a beauty salon on the side, while Marcus mainly is responsible for the couple’s rental properties, both residential and commercial.
“At House of Love Agency (HOLA), we believe that every child deserves a chance to live their best life,” she says. “That’s why we provide comprehensive residential care and mental health behavior stabilization services for youth with mental, emotional, behavioral, or medical issues. Our experienced and compassionate (10-member) team is dedicated to helping each child reach their full potential and find peace of mind. Let us show you the power of love and help your child find the hope they need to thrive.”
The former Arneesha Richardson says she learned more specifics about the troubles and challenges that some young girls encounter while she was a substitute teacher at Arthur Hill High and at her alma mater, Saginaw High.
A 13-year-old is the first resident, scheduled to stay for at least 30 days. The Brewers expect to draw mostly adolescents and teens, because foster care remains the first option for elementary ages.
“Rules will be in place, of course,” Arneesha says, “but we are in no way a detention center, we are an emergency shelter for girls who need our support.”
A wish list for tax-deductible donated items includes everything from ironing boards and irons to clothing and personal care items.
House of Love Emergency Shelter partners with the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce, and with community business owners and organizations to complete their work and needs for the girls they will service.
“We are grateful that so many partners have rallied behind us to ensure we have everything we need for our home. Being a nonprofit organization, this is an ongoing effort and an ongoing need. We cannot express how much we appreciate the love our partners have shown.”
To get involved, contact (989) 401-1999 or info@houseofloveagency.org.
House of Love is the new agency on the block among nine City Council agreements from the federal Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program to provide $191,987 of assistance to organizations providing shelter and supportive services for the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless. The following information from Block Grant Specialist Leticia Trevino outlines the scope of activity and funding level for each project under agreement with the City.
- Underground Railroad, $30,000. This allocation supports the emergency shelter program and the crisis helpline for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and stalking.
- Youth Protection Council-Innerlink, $20,000. The funds will be used for program operations to include staffing, occupancy, and supplies at the shelter that serves runaways and homeless youth.
- Saginaw Catholic Mustard Seed Foundation-Shelter, $10,000. This allocation will be used to offset costs of operating the emergency shelter programs such as food and utilities. This shelter focuses on immediate and critical needs for shelter of women and their children.
- Restoration Community Outreach Shelter $30,000. The funds will be used for operational costs for the shelter and supplies. This shelter houses men only. It is the only shelter in the City that provides this service to homeless or chronically homeless men, veterans, mentally and physically disabled men.
- House of Love, $19,844. The funds will be used for shelter, support services and group treatment for at-risk youth ages six to seventeen years old that have been removed from their homes due to abuse and/or neglect.
- United Way of Saginaw County-HMIS, $17,963. This allocation is used to maintain the Homeless Management Information System. This system is required by HUD and assists in providing data to local agencies in assessing the needs of the community.
- United Way of Saginaw County-HPRP, $46,680. The funds will be used for homeless prevention and rapid rehousing services in the City. This allocation will cover rapid rehousing efforts and a caseworker.
- Restoration Community Outreach Shelter-HPRP, $11,500. The funds will be used to assist the shelter clients with rental assistance such as down payment, first months rent and move in costs.
- Youth Protection Council, $6,000. The funds will be used for a rapid rehousing program and homeless youth project with a focus on education, job training, employment opportunities and life skills.
