The Shepherd’s Staff said goodbye to its 30-year-old headquarters in Westminster with a mixture of sadness and excitement as the nonprofit unveiled plans for a new $3 million building.
The nonprofit Christian outreach and support organization held an open house Friday to bid farewell to the tiny house they have called home since 1994. The outdated wooden house will be torn down to make way for a new, modern building, in the same location at 30 Carroll St., in Westminster.
“I love this house,” Executive Director Brenda Meadows said. “It’s really hard. I think of all the people we met along the way and all the guests and people we have served.”
Meadows, who started with Shepherd’s Staff in 2009, describes everyone they help as “family.”
But after 30 years of providing food, clothing and financial assistance to residents in Carroll County, the nonprofit finds themselves in need of a larger space. Their mission remains the same, but the small, non-accessible building has prevented the organization from continuing to efficiently and effectively serve those in need.
The current, outdated house will be torn down to make way for a new 2,933-square-foot, three level building with a reception area, two full bathrooms, washers and dryers, a barber and hairdresser station, ample storage, a dedicated donation area, a workshop and a room with free household items and clothing for guests to shop. The entire building will also be ADA-accessible.
To help finance the massive renovation project, the organization has begun a capital campaign. Shepherd’s Staff does not apply for nor receive any federal, state or county funding. As of Friday, the organization has raised $1.6 million of the $3 million needed, Meadows said. They hope to privately raise the remainder of the money through pledges, stocks and bonds and cash donations.
Meadows said construction of the new building will take about two years. In the meantime, the nonprofit is moving to a temporary location at 75 John St., in Westminster. The organization will be closed Nov. 4 through Nov. 8 as it moves operations. It plans to reopen Nov. 11 at the temporary location.
Since Shepherd’s Staff is privately funded, they serve people in crisis regardless of income. There are no income requirements that need to be met to receive help with housing, utilities, clothing, prescriptions, personal-care essentials and school supplies.
In calendar year 2023, the nonprofit assisted 6,931 people, a 25% increase over the previous year, according to materials distributed at the open house.
“Our goal is to establish a home built by the love of our community, a place where we engage, encourage and empower our guests all the while providing hope,” a nonprofit pamphlet stated.
Have a news tip? Contact Sherry Greenfield at [email protected], 240-315-7029 and @sherrygreenfie9 on X.
