New shelter for women, children planned in FD
Beacon of Hope Ministries seeks $1 million to unlock grant funds
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For a woman experiencing homelessness, one of the most difficult questions can be one of the simplest: Where can I go with my children?
Beacon of Hope Ministries hopes to provide a new answer with The Well Shelter for Women and Children, a planned Christian-based shelter in Fort Dodge designed to provide safety, stability, and a path toward restoration for women and children experiencing homelessness and crisis.
"We need to get women and children off the streets, out of their cars and out of extra bedrooms and get them into a safe, secure place that would give them an opportunity to get back on their feet and thrive," said Brian Bidleman, executive director of Beacon of Hope Ministries.
He said women and children are "by far the fastest growing segment of the homelessness in the United States, and Iowa mirrors that."
The location of the planned new shelter is at 1597 Third Ave. N.W., in the former Iowa Outdoors store.
That site will give access to two different school bus systems, as well as the DART bus system.
The project has reached a significant milestone, but an important challenge remains, according to Beacon of Hope leaders.
Beacon has an opportunity to receive $1.9 million in grant funding toward The Well. Bidleman said that money is private funds channeled through the Federal Home Land Bank.
To access those funds, it must secure approximately $1.9 million in qualifying donations and commitments.
Through cash contributions, future commitments, and significant in-kind support, Beacon has already secured approximately $900,000 toward that requirement.
Now, the ministry is working to raise the remaining $1 million.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for our community," said Bidleman. "We have already seen incredible generosity and support for this project. Now we need the community to help us take this next step and turn that support into something much bigger for women and children in our area."
The Well represents an expansion of Beacon of Hope Ministries' 16-year history of serving men experiencing homelessness.
During that time, Beacon has operated a faith-based men’s shelter at 1021 First Ave. N., where it has served more than 3,000 men. Its approach centers on what the ministry calls "body, mind, spirit restoration," recognizing that homelessness is often connected to challenges involving relationships, employment, addiction, mental health, poverty, and other circumstances.
"We have learned a great deal over the past 16 years about what it takes to help someone move from homelessness toward stability and restoration," Bidleman said. "We want to bring that same compassionate approach to women and children."
The need for a shelter specifically designed for women and children is significant, Beacon leaders say. The Well is being developed to provide that safe place.
The vision includes emergency housing, nourishing meals, safety and compassionate support in an environment where women and children can experience dignity, healing and hope while working toward greater stability and independence.
"We don’t want The Well to simply be a place where someone spends the night," Bidleman said. "We want it to be a place where women and children know they are safe, valued and cared for, and where they can begin looking toward a different future."
The complete development of The Well is expected to cost approximately $5.3 million, including the building, renovations, furnishings, kitchen equipment, and two years of operating expenses.
Beacon is seeking support from individuals, businesses, churches, foundations and other community partners as the project moves forward.
Bidleman said the new shelter's name comes from the Bible's New Testament story of the woman at the well. He said the woman was a downtrodden person who was the first person Jesus revealed himself to.
The capital campaign for The Well is separate from the ongoing support needed to operate Beacon’s existing men’s shelter.
"We still have men walking through our doors who need food, shelter and hope," Bidleman said. "Those needs continue every day. We are asking those who can to consider The Well as an additional opportunity to invest in our community and in the lives of women and children."
Beacon of Hope Ministries is privately funded and does not rely on government funding. The organization intends to develop The Well through private donations, grants, and community partnerships.
"We may not know their names yet," Bidleman said. "But we know they’re coming. And when they do, we want to be ready."
He said for the Fort Dodge community, the opportunity is immediate: help The Beacon of Hope Ministries raise the remaining $1 million needed to unlock the $1.9 million grant and move The Well one major step closer to opening its doors.
Financial gifts can be made online at beaconofhopeshelter.com or checks made out to The Well mailed to 1021 First Ave. N., Fort Dodge, IA 50501. For more information, call 515-955-3366 to learn more about the project.