- April 18, 2024
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The new Halifax Urban Ministries Ormond Beach location has nearly three times the space of the old building. Services have also expanded to St. James church.
BY MATT MENCARINI | STAFF WRITER
The Halifax Urban Ministries Service Center, previously located on Granada Boulevard, relocated Jan. 7 to Emmanuel Church of the Living God, 54 S. Ridgewood Ave. And the move has meant big improvements for those seeking services, according to staff.
“We had some fear that people wouldn't be able to find it,” said Mark Geallis, director of community relations and development. “But it been an advantage because its out of the way.”
Program Supervisor Arlene Martin said people feel more comfortable coming to the new location because it seems more discrete. Users' feel there is less of a concern that friends or neighbors might see them on their way inside, she said.
Halifax Urban Ministries, in its partnership with Emmanuel Church of the Living God, now has a computer lab with 13 computers, where residents can search for jobs or apply for food stamps or Medicaid.
The computers are in a room separate from the rest of the facility, as well, which as a whole, Martin said, is approximately three times larger than the old location.
“We actually have a separation that gives guests that opportunity to have a little privacy,” she said. “And to me, privacy is very important.”
The new location also has an office area, a food-pickup area, a room for financial services and will soon have a room that will be used for prayer, counseling or other activities.
For Martin, the new location is bigger, better and can achieve more than what Ormond Beach's last Halifax Urban Ministries center ever could. But she still looks at the old facility with fond memories.
“Even though it was small, there was a lot of love that came out of that building,” she said. “And the people were very happy. The guests were very happy when they walked in, and when they left we made sure they were happy.”
Further expansion
In addition to the location at Emmanuel Church of the Living God, Halifax Urban Ministries have also opened a satellite location at St. James Episcopal Church, 44 S. Halifax Drive, which will provide food to beachside residents from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., each Friday.
Halifax Urban Ministries will also soon take its food program on the road, following a recent van donatino from the city.
