Helping Hands celebrates first year in new building

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — It's been one year since Helping Hands moved from its downtown location into its new space at 2200 Shale Street. In its expanded location, the organization has been providing a variety of services for hundreds of people.

In 2024, the shelter had over 21,000 check-ins to their day services program. They had more than 3,300 use their beds as a safe space to sleep. But the building is more than a safe space. A new clinic space houses mental and physical health experts to service clients.

"Central Counties is here Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and they have a therapist that comes in on Tuesday mornings to meet client needs," said Ronald Doyle, the Shelter Manager. "We also collaborate with SIU and Family Guidance Center to provide treatment for out clients."

Doyle said without the expanded space and programs, many people would go untreated, and conditions would get worse. This is part of the priority for new Executive director Robert Gillespie, who wants to see a focus on using resources wisely, and expanding health services. He wants to ensure there is space for clients with long-term medical issues to seek care.

"What really drew me to this position ... was their willingness to look into expanding services to people that have traditionally not been able to be served by shelter services, like the medical respite and also looking at health care and mental health for the homeless," said Gillespie. "It's going to be a good time to look at how we can expand medical respite and look at people who have significant and profound psychiatric conditions and how we can better serve those individuals with their particular needs."

Gillespie started in the new role at the beginning of this month, so they are still adjusting to the new job. However, they are focusing on the current needs of the organization, such as providing adequate storage areas for clients' materials, and the future, like what to do if they reach capacity in bed spaces.