Washington grants $150K to nonprofit’s transitional housing project; community center, youth council recognized

The property at 440 West Telegraph Street that will benefit from the $150,000 donation to the Erin Kimball Memorial Foundation, Washington, Utah, May 22, 2013 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

WASHINGTON CITY – At its city council meeting Wednesday, the Erin Kimball Memorial Foundation was granted $150,000 from Washington City to help the foundation complete work on a transitional housing project on Telegraph Street.

Located at 440 West Telegraph Street in Washington, the nonprofit bought the home and has been renovating it for use as an emergency transitional housing unit for survivors of domestic violence.

Sue Kimball, executive director of the foundation, told the city council that once renovation is complete, an estimated 27 persons per year will be able to be housed in the new facility. An additional 150 will also benefit from the training and support services that will be offered once the building is finished.

Last year, work on the Telegraph property came to a halt when funding dried up due to multiple issues involving the structural stability of the building. However, thanks to the donation from the city – which comes by way of a federal community development block grant – the foundation will be able to complete the home.

“We ostensibly went over everything that needed to be completed,” Kimball said. “We can do it with this amount of money.”

Many people and businesses have donated time, effort and materials to the Telegraph property, Kimball said, and added  she is grateful for the support.

“It’s a great opportunity and pleasure,” to give support to the foundation, councilmember Thad Seegmiller said.

The Erin Kimball Memorial Foundation was founded in 2002 by Sue Kimball and bears the name of her stepdaughter. Erin Kimball had been in an abusive marriage until she, with her two children, finally left her husband. In August 1983, she contacted her husband so she and one of their children could get a ride to see a predication. Instead of seeing the doctor, Erin Kimball and her two children were murdered by her husband who then killed himself after committing the act.

In memory of Erin Kimball, the foundation provides transitional housing for women and children who are victims of domestic violence.  The safe housing allows the women to get jobs and to save money for rent and living expenses while they adjust to a new life style.

Member of the new Washington City Youth Council being sworn into office, Washington, May 22, 2013 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News
Members of the new Washington City Youth Council being sworn into office, Washington, May 22, 2013 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

Other business

  • Head staff of the Washington City Community Center was recognized by the city council for the city’s receiving the “2013 Best in State” award from the State of Utah for its parks and/or public fitness/recreational facility.
  • A new Washington City Youth Council was sworn in during the council meeting. Mayor Ken Neilson said the youth council has 18 new members and two members carried over from the previous year.
  • A public hearing concerning the adoption of the proposed city budget for fiscal year 2013-14 was held and subsequently closed after no public comment was offered.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @MoriKessler

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2013, all rights reserved.

The property at 440 West Telegraph Street that will benefit from the $150,000 donation to the Erin Kimball Memorial Foundation, Washington, May 22, 2013 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News
The property at 440 West Telegraph Street that will benefit from the $150,000 donation to the Erin Kimball Memorial Foundation, Washington, May 22, 2013 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

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