Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Help us help homeless families!
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The Wellspring's Keller House needs stuff! The facility is almost complete but we really need outdoor toys for the kiddos. We are looking for tricycles, small bikes, toddler ride ons, playhouse, climbers, sand and water tables, soft mats, patio furniture -- you know, all the stuff that makes a kid’s home a fun place. Items do not have to be new, and we also accept monetary donations. So please, raid your backyard, clean out that stuff, and bring it on up to 1515 Jackson St. By doing so, you will help make these kids' days a little brighter!
Thanks to our community!
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Our special thanks to North Monroe Baptist Church, Capital One, The Family of Billie and Irie Johnson, Paulen Luttgeharn/State Farm, Jesus The Good Shepherd Catholic Church, The Tropea/Mahan Families, First Baptist Church of West Monroe, and Grace Episcopal Church for helping us make this house a home.




How it all began
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Like those who will live there, the 100+ year old historic Keller House facility (306 Holly Street, Monroe) has gotten new life. The structure has been refurbished as a 6-unit transitional housing facility for homeless families fleeing domestic violence. Grant funds were used to purchase the historic facility and complete the remodeling. However, we had to ask the community for help furnish the rooms. And help they did!
      The Keller House facility serves as the anchor for Holly Haven, a neighborhood revitalization project taken on by The Wellspring. Since 2000, it has been a part of The Wellspring’s strategic plan to create a safe haven for survivors of domestic violence by purchasing the property along Holly Street and either renovating or demolishing and replacing some of the housing. We envision a development that will visually reflect or complement The Wellspring’s Administrative headquarters at 1515 Jackson and the Keller House We see housing with porches, columns, hardie board plank, and other traditional architectural features. With the site fully developed, we see a neighborhood with much needed decent, affordable and energy-efficient housing for vulnerable families in an area of historic Monroe that has regained the stable, residential character it once enjoyed – a place where neighbors can sit on their front porches and talk of today’s achievements and tomorrow’s dreams.
       The Keller House is one of the most architecturally significant homes in the south Monroe. It was built in 1905 or 1906 by noted Louisiana architect William Drago for Monroe wholesale grocer James M. Keller. Keller was profiled in that era as “an example of what can be done in this country by a young man whose only capital was brains and correct habits.” (Monroe Evening News, 1893) The structure shows influence of the turn-of-the-century Georgian Revival with some Queen Anne influence. It is certainly among the grandest of its style. It will make a wonderful place for its residents access the supportive services and move on to independence.
 

NEED HELP NOW?

Call 911 for emergencies. Call 211 for community information and referrals. Call 318.323.1505 for individual or family crisis intervention. Call 318.651.9314 for the administrative offices.

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