COLUMBIA, S.C. — It's been one year since Rapid Shelter Columbia was launched to help chronically homeless in the city.
The concept for Rapid Shelter Columbia was the first transitional housing project of its kind to be launched in the Southeast. The temporary housing units were built at 191 Calhoun Street, the site of the former Inclement Weather Center. The site includes approximately 50 pallet sleeping cabins.
“I have people (other residents) coming up to me saying, 'I've got a place, I've got a place to live!' And I said one day that will be me,” Mari Thoenne said.
Thoenne became a resident at the Rapid Shelter after her husband died in July.
Thoenne said when she first came to the shelter, she didn't know there were so many resources. "I'm like wow, this is amazing! This place does amazing things for people."
On Wednesday, the shelter celebrated one year of helping those who are chronically homeless.
Since last year, the shelter has partnered with several provider agencies throughout the Midlands to provide primary, mental health and substance abuse care, along with overall physical and mental well-being support for residents.
Lead House Manager Thomas Thurman, who has worked with the shelter since day one, said this job comes with ample fulfillment.
“Now that I've been here and been here for so long, especially since day one, I’ve decided to go into social work and help the homeless,” Thurman said.
Helping individuals like Allen, who shared his story at the event, find constant housing and a place to call his own.
"If it wasn't for USC supportive housing, the City of Columbia, our mayor, the Rapid Shelter of Columbia, none of this would have been available," Allen said.
Long term, rapid shelter is a mere stepping stone to what Columbia Mayor, Daniel Rickenmann says will one day be a hope center, full of necessary resources for the homeless.
"Everything from urgent care, physical therapy, pharmacy, clinician, DMV making IDs, dining hall, place for people to get clothes supplies," Rickenmann said. "And then obviously individual apartments literally where someone has their own bathroom, their own space to stay in."
For those interested in the program or wanting to refer a loved one to the shelter, click here for more details.