Volunteers pitched in today to get the Interactive Resource Center ready to open on Monday. The center, which serves people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, has a permanent location in what once was Southern Plate Glass at 407. E. Washington St. A grand opening is scheduled for June 3, in conjunction with First Friday.
The Greensboro City Council will consider a request from the Interactive Resource Center on Tuesday to commit $70,000 from funds already appropriated for the project. Executive Director Liz Seymour said the money would cover about $13,000 in change orders and help pay for furniture.
Seymour said that five out of eight members of staff were homeless at one time.
Housing specialist Teresa Hicks emphasized that the center offers opportunities for people in a variety of situations.
"The IRC is for everybody," she said. "It's not just for the homeless. It's for people who are facing homelessness. People sometimes draw back when they hear the word 'homeless.' If you're fine and everything is going well, it's a chance for you to give back. You might also be looking for employment, or you might have an apartment but your bills are too high for you to afford it. We're here to help."
The Interactive Resource Center has found creative ways to meet its own needs. The computer lab is outfitted with desktops provided by Handy Capable Computers at a cost of $200 apiece. And Will Howard, also with the center, said Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Vaughan has donated suit jackets that once belonged to her late father, former Atlantic Coast Conference assistant commissioner Fred Barakat. The jackets will be offered to clients to wear during job interviews.
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