COLORADO SPRINGS – Springs Rescue Mission broke ground yesterday on phase two of their campus expansion, which includes renovations, additions, new construction, and site work at their headquarters. The new project will include two buildings – a kitchen and dining facility and a welcome center – as well as a new parking area.
GE Johnson partnered with ECHO Architecture and Design on the new 10,000-square-foot kitchen and dining facility that will include a training kitchen and have the capacity to prepare more than 1,000 meals each day for those in need in the community. The welcome center will provide a point-of-entry for the campus guests.
The $5.5 million expansion follows GE Johnson’s 2018 work on a 200-bed emergency shelter, giving area homeless a refuge from Colorado’s extreme winter weather.
In addition to meals and a safe place to sleep, Springs Rescue Mission offers clothing, showers, pet care, job counseling and several other critical health and financial resources. This expansion will enable the Springs Rescue Mission to better serve the needs of the community’s most vulnerable citizens.
Many parties attended the groundbreaking, including officials from the Mayor’s office, the Springs Rescue Mission board and staff, and beneficiaries of the Mission’s services. Representatives of local churches and faith-based organizations were also present.
“It really has been a complete community effort,” said Springs Rescue Mission President and CEO Larry Yonkers. “I want to acknowledge GE Johnson as a wonderful friend. We’re so proud to have them on this project.”
“We’re very happy to be part of this project,” agreed Ryan Heeter, GE Johnson COO, during his address to the crowd. “Our mission is to enrich our communities by leading and building projects with the best people and ideas. Today, we get to start that journey with Springs Rescue Mission. We value our relationship with this organization and we appreciate the positive impact they have on our community.
He added, “We’re proud to be part of their vision to fight homelessness, poverty, and addiction. We know we’re working together with them, and all the other partners on this project, for something bigger than just the steel and concrete that goes into the construction of the buildings. We’re involved in something that will benefit the community now and in the future.”
Photo courtesy of GE Johnson
