New C-U at Home opens 26 rooms for previously homeless individuals

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) — Homeless outreach nonprofit C-U at Home has moved 26 clients into its new facility on Mattis Ave. This new facility also serves as a permanent location for its office staff.

C-U at Home provides coaching, resources and a place to live for those experiencing homelessness, and looking for stability and change.

C-U at Home Executive Director Melissa Courtwright explained that often, clients start the 12-18 month program in a sort of "survival mode."

Their goal was to create an environment that feels like a home, so clients can feel safe and secure enough to heal.

"When your environment matches what you're working toward — which is stability — you can really start to believe that you can take those steps forward, and you can start to see yourself taking those steps forward, and even believe that you deserve to take those steps forward," she said.

Over the years, C-U at Home has been limited by capacity. They have had seven homes where clients can live, spread across the Champaign-Urbana area; their entry-level homes can house a maximum of 16 people. This new facility can house 10 female and 16 male clients, allowing them to increase their capacity by 46%.

The total cost of the renovation of the Mattis location was $1.9 million, with $1.7 million paid for in grants and the rest paid for by donations and fundraising.

C-U at Home accepts donations online, and they also have a wish list with items they need for clients' new homes.