Project Now Executive Director Dwight Ford says the chosen Star Cres building will allow the non-profit to house all its services and be a more welcoming location for western Illinois residents.
"One of the things I appreciate about that location is that it looked as if it was a premier institution. So often, places that serve low-income, low-wealth, low-wage earning families look like they do," Ford said in an interview with WVIK on Monday. "And I wanted an institution that would essentially be able to bring a sense of dignity to the people we serve."
Ford says the location is closer to some of their partners, including the Rock Island Housing Authority, the transit depot and the Economic Growth Corporation.
Phase one of the renovation includes updating office space within the building's first two floors, including a new kitchenette area, touching up with new paint and enhancing the non-profit's data infrastructure.
"So that investment, and I like to call it an investment because it yields a real return," Ford said. "Because we are taking care of people, and when you take care of people, you will always reap a lifetime of return."
Rock Island Fourth Ward Alderwoman Jeni Swanson attended last Friday's remodel groundbreaking. She says the city's strategic plan for American Rescue Plan Act dollars is to maximize long-term benefits for city residents.
The city council moved into three groups to utilize ARPA funding, including tourism, mental health, and homelessness. Alderwoman Swanson worked with a committee regarding homelessness and found Project NOW popping up a lot in the discussion.
"With Project Now being housed in Rock Island, we wanted to make sure Rock Island APRA dollars helped Rock Island residents primarily," Swanson said in an interview with WVIK on Monday. "It was kind of a natural flow that as it came around, the money needs to go to Project NOW because Project NOW helps all these other agencies...[it] has the knowledge and the resources to help people."
The organization received $250,0000 for the Star Cres building renovations, split into multiple phases, according to Ford.
"We know our first phase of getting our initial staff of reception down there and our outreach workers will be in October," Ford said. He mentioned ongoing renovations will upgrade the upper floor office spaces during the next couple of years.
Ford says the organization's main demographic is people aged 65 to 74, and its second demographic group is people older than 84. He hopes the location can eventually open a senior center.
"When you think about these individuals now having a space that dignifies them, allows them to volunteer, to have classes, a congregate meal that is prepared by a chief. And to have the dignity of a seating area and rooms that can have counseling and exercise. This is our sincere hope," Ford said. "Over a hundred people will be in and out of that building each and every day and that's not including the people who come to us for services. That's just our partners and our regular programming. That gives us a wonderful chance to make an investment in the lives of people."
Project Now provides various services, including rural transit and utility assistance, to residents of Henry, Mercer, and Rock Island counties.
Estes Construction is handling the renovation work.
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