New homeless center provides hope

SPRINGFIELD, Mass (WWLP) - The city of Springfield is making an effort to address homelessness by building a support center that will help people get back on their feet.

For people like Dana Smith, who find themselves without a place to call home, the new homeless resource center in Springfield will be a Godsend.

Community leaders gathered at 769 Worthington Street for the groundbreaking of a project that will help combat the area's homelessness problem.

Over 12 million dollars will go into the construction of this facility that will expand the existing Worthington street shelter.

The Worthington street campus will have 32 additional apartments, new kitchen facilities and a healthcare and dental clinic.

The goal of the new resource center is to transition homeless people into permanent housing by providing them with social and health services and employment assistance.

Construction is expected to be completed by August 2010.