CONOVER
Sipe's Orchard Home is closer to raising enough money to reopen a cottage for homeless teens.
Last year, Sipe's announced plans to reopen Houston Cottage to homeless 16- to 21-year-olds pending a two-year campaign to raise the first year's operating funds for Houston Transitional Living Center.
"We are over two-thirds of the way to our funding goal," said Brian Phelps, Sipe's CEO.
"We have had so many of our supporters step forward to help us get this far. We hope others will also step forward to help us go the last stretch," he said.
Houston Cottage, a 9,000-square-foot, state-licensed facility, was endowed by the late Dewey Houston in honor of his wife, Hazel Houston.
The gift did not come with operating expenses. Sipe's must find that money itself.
The cottage will provide 12 homeless young adults with 24-hour teacher, counselor and supervisory staff.
The facility has rooms with baths; a community kitchen, dining and living area; a GED classroom led by an instructor from Catawba Valley Community College; vocational and higher educational opportunities and access to transportation.
Sipe's also has the Cognitive Connection's S.M.A.R.T. program, therapeutic Equestrian instruction, internships at Sipe's and in the community, and career and life skills counseling.
The complex, begun in 1943 to serve homeless children and families in North Carolina, is on 380 acres on County Home Road.
Sipe's is a Catawba County United Way agency and is certified by the Council on Accreditation.
Phelps said reaching the fundraising goal is vital.
"It does not make sense to open the doors (to Houston Cottage) only to close them due to lack of funding. These folks have had enough doors slammed in their faces," he said.
There is a waiting list of people for Houston Cottage.
Residents will be required to create savings plans and attain supervised personal goals, education and sustained employment.
The objective is to help residents move from Houston Cottage to their own homes.
For more, call 256-5056, or go to www.sipesorchardhome.org.
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