Future Directions

Adult Education Center

In our commitment to seek out resources for our residents we have found so many programs also facing budget cuts.  In response, Valley Mission has stepped up the efforts to provide more resources through our agency to help our adult residents become self-sufficient.

One effort we are addressing is the need for an Adult Education Center that would also provide computers for job searches and training.  As with the Family Learning Center we are hampered by the lack of space needed for such a venture, but trust that as we seek we will find the way to meet this need.

We also hope through partnerships with other area non-profits such as The Waynesboro Area Learning Tree we will be able to establish a place also open to community members in homes who struggle with many of the same employment issues as our homeless residents.  As we help those in homes who struggle we hope to help prevent their falling into homelessness.

Family Learning Center

Valley Mission had planned to renovate the white building next door for development of an education center for children and families.  Upon closer inspection it was determined that the costs were too high and the end result would not function as well as needed.  As it stands, this building is scheduled to be taken down and the area used for parking as we determine the future expansion of shelter services.

We are now looking at the surrounding area to see what possibilities exist to best meet the needs of the fastest growing population of homeless, which are families.  Families need added support throughout the day, evenings and weekends to enable positive interaction within the family unit and reduce the stress from all the factors that brought them to us which are now made worse by their homelessness.

Valley Mission will continue to work towards the goal of providing for the families that come to us in need.  In the meantime we are continuing to set up programs such as the Children's Ministry that will facilitate positive engagement with volunteers.