By Ben Conley
For The Dominion Post
Morgantown – Sometimes the visuals don’t quite match the vision.
That’s been the case for Hazel’s House of Hope since it opened its doors to its first tenant agency more than five years ago.
The vision, first pitched in 2019, was a novel one – at least in West Virginia.
Imagine a spacious old hotel and 10-acre property dedicated to serving as a central hub for a range of social services, each situated into built-to-purpose spaces at minimal cost.
Today, with more than a half-dozen agencies providing services out of the facility, that vision is increasingly drawing into focus.
But for all the good work being done in the former Ramada Inn, the monochromatic brick exterior and time-worn common areas were always a reminder of the building’s former life.
That, too, is changing.
On a picture perfect Thursday afternoon, the community gathered for a ribbon-cutting and open house to not only highlight the life-changing efforts taking place at Hazel’s House of Hope, but the recent work to improve the facility itself.
Supported through $1.1 million in congressionally directed spending from Sen. Shelley Moore Capito’s office, the building’s main entrance has been transformed from a tired hotel lobby into a proper welcoming center.
But the most immediate and striking change is the building’s new blue and grey exterior. That, too, was funded by the congressional earmark, as were new windows and a handful of other upgrades.
“As you can see, we don’t look like the old Ramada Inn so much anymore,” Director of Operations Jessica Thompson said. “We wanted to showcase what we have done. We have been talking about it happening for years, but it’s finally come to fruition.”
Thompson said the gathering was also an opportunity to introduce the community to an ever-growing roster of tenants within the building.
To that end, the new WVU Child Learning Center Bright Space was unveiled by representatives from the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children as part of the festivities.
Bright Spaces have been established in shelters, community centers and nonprofits across the country to serve children and families facing instability, crisis and other difficult circumstances.
“No matter what their circumstances, every child deserves to play. Everyone deserves to play and learn. Our company does a lot of play-based learning and discovery-driven learning, so even if they’re just here to hang out for a little bit, they’ll leave learning something,” Elysia Pinkard said.
Deana Morrow is the president of Morgantown Community Resources, the nonprofit board that owns and operates Hazel’s House of Hope.
Prior to the ribbon cutting, Morrow recounted the philanthropic vision it took to acquire the property and launch the entire undertaking. She also acknowledged the local government support and the $3.5 million in CARES funding from the state that helped get the building ready to welcome its initial tenants.
“We believe that our mission is to help support the needs of those in the greatest need in Morgantown and Mon County, and anyone who comes through our doors,” Morrow said. “Most of all, I think we want to thank our partner agencies who have joined the Hazel’s House of Hope concept and mission, because without you and without the clients and constituents that you serve, this area, this region would be in far more challenging circumstances than it is today.”
Morgantown Mayor Danielle Trumble, the city’s representative on MCR, said she was proud to show off a facility, “That is worthy of the dignity and respect that we offer to our clients.”
But the work isn’t done.
In the coming weeks, bids will be opened for a project to expand the building’s footprint to support additional dayroom offerings. Former Sen. Joe Manchin provided $500,000 in congressionally directed spending to assist that project.
“Hopefully, knock on wood, that will be completed before the end of the year. That will be an extension of the day room. We’re going to have seating. There will be office space there so different agencies can come in on a rotating basis and meet with clients,” Thompson said. “There’s also going to be a computer lab that we got through funding provided by the Truist Foundation. That’s something that is not available right now to the residents and clients here.”
Read more from The Dominion Post, here.
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