When the House of Recovery, Faith and Hope began in 2009, it provided a home for women and families looking to start fresh from a life-controlling problem ranging from addiction to abuse.

Now, they are getting set to open a new facility to provide community outreach and a number of programs not only for the people seeking the services offered at the house but a number of others as well, even if that is just a safe place to hang out.

“We’ve almost been here a year,” said Angela Allen, a founder of HORFAH. “As a community, we’ve got to think outside the box. Families are hurting in Surry County.”

The new facility, which is at 501 S. South St., should be officially open sometime in the later half of this week. However, Allen said that people have already been stopping by and they hosted a New Year’s Eve party for about 50 people that featured a band from Statesville.

“People can come in off the streets and we can minister to them. You get a peaceful feeling when you come in here,” said Betsy, who has been volunteering to get the facility ready. “This is going to be a place where people can come in off the streets. If you’re hungry, you can come in and get something to eat. You don’t have to have anything. It’s going to make a difference.”

The building is divided into a number of sections offering anything people might need. The Faith and Hope Thrift Store will offer clothing for men, women and children as well as furniture and a few household items. All of the proceeds from the thrift store, where, according to Allen, items will be affordable, will go to support the House of Recovery, Faith and Hope. In addition to selling the items in the store, HORFAH will set up a voucher program where people who need a little extra assistance can exchange clothes. Allen said they want to make sure people can get what they need.

The youth center contains a ping pong table, pool table and basketball shooting area as well as a few board games. A local man did the artwork for the center which includes a cross and a painting of the world.

“It’s a place they can come and hang out, where they can come and get a Word,” said Allen. “It’s a place that’s safe and secure.”

The lobby will provide a place for local artists to display and sell their work.

Windows of Faith is the name of the organization’s food pantry. Workers have begun stocking the pantry but are still in need of donations. The organization will be feeding the homeless in the area a hot meal once every day whether it is soup or something more involved. The time of each meal will be posted at the facility so people know when that is taking place.

“It’s cold outside and there’s nowhere for them to go,” said Allen.

She is also working with the local fire department to see if it would be possible to set up cots at the facility on nights when it drops below freezing.

Next to the food pantry is the Faith and Hope Cafe. This area will provide coffee, espresso, pre-packaged bagels and desserts as well as tables for people to sit. It will also be a gathering place on Sundays for worship.

“The people we’ve been out ministering to don’t want to go to church. If we can get them fed and get their spirits lifted, maybe they’ll come back,” said Allen of the idea of holding worship services. “It’s a place where we can do a lot of good.”

There will also be live music every Saturday night and an open mic night on Fridays.

In addition to selling coffee and bakery items, the organization plans to use the cafe to serve a meal once a week to those who need it. This will be in addition to the hot meal offered to the homeless every day. To help with that, a restaurant donated a few tables and chairs and another agency donated a grill and a fryer for the kitchen.

Beyond the cafe will be a seating area with Wi-Fi Internet access for those who want to bring their computers and a computer at the site for those who do not own one to come look for job postings or check their e-mail. The area will also have brochures about services people may find useful ranging from finding a job and domestic violence to food pantry information and medical care information.

“It’s an area where people can come and just be away from the world,” said Allen.

There is a wall of faith where women who have turned to HORFAH can post their name or initials, their date of sobriety and a Bible verse that has helped them along the way. It will also feature pictures of fundraisers from the house and success stories.

Another wall is covered in Bible verses chosen by workers at the house who think they might be inspirational.

“We’re just hoping one stands out to them. We just hope they can point out something and carry that with them,” said Allen of the verses. “This place is faith-based. We try to teach them how to let it go and let God in. They’ve made a change with the Lord, not with me. God is using us as vessels to do his work.”

There is also a play area for children called God’s Kingdom. The room’s walls are covered in paintings of animals from zebras and monkeys to bears. There are toys and books for them to enjoy while their parents attend a meeting, get food or shop for clothes.

“If you want to come to a meeting or a meal, the kids can come in here and play. It’s a place where kids can come and feel safe and secure,” said Allen. “We want to reach those people that aren’t being reached. The world today is so quick to shun and all these people want is a fresh new start.”

Some of the ideas for the new facility stemmed from those associated with HORFAH, both those volunteering their time and those who have gone there for assistance, heading out every Friday night to provide food for the homeless in the area.

“They like giving back and that’s something we’re going to be doing here every day,” said Allen of those HORFAH is already assisting.

“It was amazing,” said Renita of her first time taking food to the homeless. She went on to say that when they arrived, people began pouring out to get the food. “I’ve been doing it ever since.”

Many of the women from HORFAH have been volunteering at the facility to get everything ready for the opening. They have worked to paint all of the walls, set up merchandise and put in tiles and carpeting.

“I’ve seen a great transition coming into this place and redoing it,” said Sherry. “I’m hoping souls can be saved and we can be turning people towards God.”

“Just to see us all work together, to look at the finished product and it’s beautiful,” said Allen. “We’ve already had a lot of people volunteer to come in and paint. Every inch was black.”

The facility is still in need of donations of all kinds including food items, clothing, furniture, games, children’s toys and books, money and time. There is a particular need for children’s clothing, toys and books and for food items for the food pantry.

Once it is open, the thrift store will be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The cafe and outreach programs will be open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. until late with a worship service on Sunday. There will also be a crisis line number posted for anyone who needs assistance after hours. Someone will be available to talk and make sure those needing help can make it through the night until the facility opens the next morning.

To make a donation to HORFAH or to find out what the program’s needs are, call 429-5250.

Contact Morgan Wall at mwall@mtairynews.com or 719-1929.