Women's Shelter provides enhanced services for homeless women

The Women's Shelter is one of the three
separate shelters operated by Volunteers of
America at the Community Asssistance Center
in downtown Reno.

The 50-bed Women's Shelter is one of three Volunteers of America-operated shelters at the City of Reno's Community Assistance Center in downtown Reno.

Volunteers of America was one of four organizations that received contracts from the Reno City Council Sept. 24, 2008, to provide services to the Reno area's homeless.

Volunteers of America also is operating the city's Men's Shelter, as well as the new Family Shelter at the 52,000-square-foot Record Street campus.

Volunteers of America provides enhanced services designed to provide homeless individuals and families the resources and services that will get them back on their feet.

A grand-opening event was held Sept. 26, 2008, to celebrate the completion of the final phase of the Community Assistance Center, the Family Shelter and Community Resource Center Building.

"It's a great day! It's a great day!" said Mayor Bob Cashell.

“For the children, this gives them some normalcy,” said Volunteers of America CEO and president Leo McFarland of the new Family Shelter. “It becomes home so they lose some of the stigma (of being homeless).”

Volunteers of America is currently offering tours of the Family Shelter to interested community members. Click here for more information.

Debbie Caruso, program manager