“So many goals at first seem impossible. And then they seem improbable. And then when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.” – Christopher Reeve
GOAL 1
Our most immediate future goal is building a new Ottawa PADS shelter to enlarge the space to both serve more clients more effectively and to do so in a safer environment.
The current Ottawa shelter is housed in a 165-year-old building with problems that include inadequate space and extensive temperature control issues. The space of the facility tightly houses 55 individuals. These 55 individuals are provided only three bathrooms (two of which are single use) and two washers and dryers. Most importantly, a portion of the existing building is failing structurally.
The objectives for the new shelter facility are to include a larger approved kitchen, larger dorm rooms for men and women, six family rooms, more office and storage space, a playroom for children, larger bathrooms with showers, a large multi-purpose classroom, and isolation rooms with bathrooms when needed to keep all staff and guests safe.
Step 1: Purchase Land
The property at 1120 Canal St. in Ottawa officially belongs to Illinois Valley PADS after the Ottawa City Council approved the $100 sale Tuesday of the lot where the homeless shelter sits. This land was previously leased from the City of Ottawa.
IV PADS Board President, Gerilyn Hocking and IV PADS Attorney, Enrico Eattoni look on as IV PADS Executive Director, Carol Alcorn signs the deed to the property located at 1120 Canal Street where we hope to build a new shelter in the near future.
Step 2: Obtain Blue Prints
On February 1, 2023 the first set of blue prints were drawn up for the expanded shelter.
IV PADS Executive Director, Carol Alcorn, receiving the first set up blue prints for a new Ottawa PADS Shelter.
Step 3: Raise the Necessary Funds
The price tag on a brand new shelter comes to roughly $3.5 million. The IV PADS leadership team along with the board of directors are working on plans to raise the much needed funds through both fundraising and grants. The building is not set to break ground and will not be scheduled to do so until approximately 95% of the funding is obtained.
The help of our community is desperately needed to meet the IV PADS mission of providing safe shelter, food, and services to people in need. In order to contribute, volunteer, or provide in-kind construction services or equipment, please call Executive Director, Carol Alcorn at 815-224-3047. Monetary donations can be made online.
