MIGHT Community Development and Resource Center is poised to take possession of the former Roosevelt Elementary School at 1502 SW I Ave. in Lawton. The nonprofit plans to convert the school into a homeless shelter and a day center, said Bernita Taylor, founder and CEO of MIGHT.
MIGHT, “in conjunction with the City of Lawton,” is in the process of acquiring title to the building, she said. “We’re in closing now,” she told Southwest Ledger on Oct. 24. Salt of the Earth Ministries owns the building, Comanche County Assessor records show.
American Rescue Plan funds were awarded two years ago for renovation of the school building. However, the $1.1 million grant will cover only part of the cost, Taylor said. “We still need $2.5 million,” she told the Ledger. “We plan to raise the rest of the money through other grants, private donations, and fundraising,” she said.
“We really don’t have a choice. We took this on two years ago. This is a situation that no matter what the cost is, we have no choice.”
When the project is completed and the building has been renovated, 10 families will be housed there, she said. It will have bedrooms, restrooms and kitchenettes. The plan is to help primarily families with children, she indicated.
In addition, the former school will house a day center as well as the homeless shelter, she said.
“It won’t be a place to hang out,” Taylor said. “We will be a provider of resources, a one-stop shop for people who have housing issues such as eviction or homelessness.” The center will offer resources for “anything pertaining to basic needs: jobs, IDs, Social Security, medical, veterans – resources to help with any situation for people who are having problems with homelessness or possible homelessness,” Taylor said.
“We work with shelters and help people get employment and help them move into transitional or permanent housing.”