JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — There’s new efforts to address homelessness in Jamestown.
As the Jamestown Business College officially closes its doors to students in march of 2025, Cherie Rowland is preparing to open new doors.
"I cannot even tell you how important this me, let alone the people who will get to walk through these doors and have something to eat it’s amazing," Rowland, the St. Susan Center director, told 2 On Your Side.
The building is set to house St. Susan Center and the United Christian Advocacy Network. Two local organizations working to address homelessness and help vulnerable communities.
And after initial talks of selling the building, president David Conklin decided giving back is priceless.
"You can’t put a price tag on what is going to occur for our community, so to me that is so much greater than what a purchase price would’ve been," Conklin said.
This announcement comes after a summer of calls for help. In July, Mayor Kim Ecklund announcing a state of emergency following an increase of encampments in the city.
"It’s also us brought a new awareness to it that there is folks out there that are in housed that need additional help," Rowland said.
These new developments won't take place until after the school officially closes its doors in March of 2025.