Barbara's House and a New Center for Community Services
Some time this Fall (2002), Madison County will get its first transitional housing facility.
Developed by MESA, Barbara's House will provide interim housing for up to five families.
Families will be admitted through MESA's Interim Family Support Program (IFS) which is funded
by Piedmont United Way.
Most IFS families consist of a Mom and one or more children who have suffered some form of
abuse and need temporary housing among other things. Barbara's House is named after the
late Barbara Sherman, a dedicated community volunteer who served as MESA's Treasurer for many years.
Barbara's House was built entirely with donated funds and grants and 90% completed with volunteer labor.
Our master builder, Phil Hunsicker, is a retired clergyman, builder, and past MESA President.
Among the many volunteers is Piedmont United Way President Dianne Gagliano, who chairs MESA's
Interiors Committee and is responsible for coordinating the furnishings of all five apartments.
Construction of the MESA Center for Community Services which will house MESA's mainline operation on the same site will also be completed in September.
MESA was created in 1982 by the Madison Ministerial Association to provide temporary emergency relief to residents of Madison County experiencing crisis, facing eviction, loss of power and medical or transportation emergencies. MESA also offers child care assistance to working families who cannot afford it, a food closet and a community thrift shop. MESA has been a member agency of Piedmont United Way since 1993.
Written by: Jim Walker, Coordinator Madison Emergency Services Assn.
Published: Fall 2002