History
ProgIn 1984, the citizens of Manhattan responded to a community wide survey overwhelmingly proclaiming that a homeless shelter should be at the top of the community’s priority list. Following the survey, more than 20 Manhattan residents formed a committee to accomplish the overwhelming task. The work was hard, but it was necessary, and in the end they were successful.
On January 8, 1985, with the help of the First Presbyterian Church, Manhattan Emergency Shelter, Inc. opened its doors for the first time. They began serving the community immediately. However, as the number of guests being served each year increased, the need for a transitional living program to bridge the gap between independent living and permanent housing became apparent.
In 1993, the Sunflower House was purchased at 901 Leavenworth and a transitional living program was established. For 10 years, the Sunflower house served the community. During the course of this progress, it became clear that not only was transitional living a necessary addition to the community, but there was also a need for the expansion of these programs.
In July of 2003 the Fremont House, leased from the Manhattan Mennonite Church for $400 a month, was added to the transitional living program to create an environment more suited to housing women and families. In 2006, the Fremont House was sold by the Mennonite Church to allow them to grow, and while MESI was sad to see it go, this gave us the opportunity to do something we had never done before- plan for a facility of our very own.
Determined to continue the mission and serve the community, MESI began the herculean task of raising funds to complete the construction of an entirely new facility. It took time, effort, and the work of many people and organizations joining together, but it paid off. In 2008, MESI sold the Sunflower House and returned the building at 831 Leavenworth to the First Presbyterian Church and moved into our brand new 47-bed facility at the corner of 4th and Yuma. The new building, built entirely for the purpose of supporting the needs of the local unhoused population, enabled MESI to accommodate men, women, and families with children in ways that weren't possible before.
But we didn't stop there.
In 2009, MESI expanded to include permanent supportive housing programs in place of the transitional living program, and a homelessness prevention program to provide rental and utility assistance for individuals facing eviction. Things for MESI and the population we serve were looking up!
2020 brought new and unique challenges to sheltering and group living that we never could have anticipated. A global pandemic and societal turbulence combined to create new uncertainty and instability. Grants changed, life changed, and suddenly we were having to find ways to keep both our clients and our staff safe in truly unprecedented times.
Program changes and restrictions at the HUD level created financial constraints during this period, leading MESI to end its supportive housing programs. MESI's director was able to maintain funding for the shelter, the rapid rehousing program, and the homeless prevention program, meaning that the most vulnerable populations of Manhattan could still be served despite these nation-wide cuts.
Today, MESI continues its mission to serve. Executive staff are fighting constantly to find new grants and services to bring into this community so that we can all enjoy the right of living with safety, security, and dignity.
On January 8, 1985, with the help of the First Presbyterian Church, Manhattan Emergency Shelter, Inc. opened its doors for the first time. They began serving the community immediately. However, as the number of guests being served each year increased, the need for a transitional living program to bridge the gap between independent living and permanent housing became apparent.
In 1993, the Sunflower House was purchased at 901 Leavenworth and a transitional living program was established. For 10 years, the Sunflower house served the community. During the course of this progress, it became clear that not only was transitional living a necessary addition to the community, but there was also a need for the expansion of these programs.
In July of 2003 the Fremont House, leased from the Manhattan Mennonite Church for $400 a month, was added to the transitional living program to create an environment more suited to housing women and families. In 2006, the Fremont House was sold by the Mennonite Church to allow them to grow, and while MESI was sad to see it go, this gave us the opportunity to do something we had never done before- plan for a facility of our very own.
Determined to continue the mission and serve the community, MESI began the herculean task of raising funds to complete the construction of an entirely new facility. It took time, effort, and the work of many people and organizations joining together, but it paid off. In 2008, MESI sold the Sunflower House and returned the building at 831 Leavenworth to the First Presbyterian Church and moved into our brand new 47-bed facility at the corner of 4th and Yuma. The new building, built entirely for the purpose of supporting the needs of the local unhoused population, enabled MESI to accommodate men, women, and families with children in ways that weren't possible before.
But we didn't stop there.
In 2009, MESI expanded to include permanent supportive housing programs in place of the transitional living program, and a homelessness prevention program to provide rental and utility assistance for individuals facing eviction. Things for MESI and the population we serve were looking up!
2020 brought new and unique challenges to sheltering and group living that we never could have anticipated. A global pandemic and societal turbulence combined to create new uncertainty and instability. Grants changed, life changed, and suddenly we were having to find ways to keep both our clients and our staff safe in truly unprecedented times.
Program changes and restrictions at the HUD level created financial constraints during this period, leading MESI to end its supportive housing programs. MESI's director was able to maintain funding for the shelter, the rapid rehousing program, and the homeless prevention program, meaning that the most vulnerable populations of Manhattan could still be served despite these nation-wide cuts.
Today, MESI continues its mission to serve. Executive staff are fighting constantly to find new grants and services to bring into this community so that we can all enjoy the right of living with safety, security, and dignity.
