A new Galesburg organization that has been operating out of the former Galesburg Rescue Mission location will now instead move in to another property recently purchased by the same owner.
The Hope Initiative says they will take over the former Churchill Junior High School space that Rob Benedict and the Benedict Family Foundation recently purchased from the city.
Officials with the entity say the facility will better align with their mission.
“While our original plan was to renovate and occupy that (Rescue Mission) building, we have since been offered a property that will better fit our mission,” said a Hope Initiative Facebook post.
In recent months, the Hope Initiative has been best known for providing free distributions of food and other supplies to those who need them.
Along with being able to continue that, Hope Initiative officials say there should be space available that can be rented out for things like meetings or birthday parties.
That would fulfill some of the mission city officials say they had looked at using Churchill for as a community center.
Officials also pointed to being able to use Churchill’s 600-plus seat auditorium, among other amenities.
“Down the road, we see opportunities to serve kids and youth in our community through after school programs, tutoring, tech schools, and more,” said the Hope Initiative.
Head Start was believed to be preparing to take over part of the Churchill space. It’s not clear what will happen with that plan.
The Hope Initiative is expected to officially open in the Churchill space in January, 2025.
Meanwhile, Graham Health Group still intends to open a clinic in part of the former Rescue Mission complex.
