Asbestos Finding Closes UCAN’s Doors; Executive Director Resigns
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The lights at the United Christian Advocacy Network City Mission are off and the doors are locked following the discovery of asbestos in the building.
The finding of asbestos took place during a planned upgrade of the mission's antiquated boiler system. Mission officials were hoping the new installation of a forced air system would make the mission more energy-efficient when plans changed.
"Unfortunately, on the first day of this work, our boiler system suffered a terminal failure, and we lost all heat to the mission. The mission has been without heat since January 8th and unavailable to serve as an emergency code blue shelter," Sharon Hamilton, UCAN City Mission board chair, said in a statement. "Guests who had their stay subsidized by DSS (Department of Social Services) needed to be relocated by the county and were placed in local hotels and motels."
However, there were six individuals who did not have their stays subsidized and were, at the time, still staying at the City Mission in Jamestown. The men were eventually moved to the LaQuinta Inn on Third Street. That move brought a temporary close to the only available 24-hour Code Blue location within the city.
"The mayor has been in contact with the county executive," said Crystal Surdyk, city development director. "We're looking at any and all options to house and assist these displaced community members."
Last Friday, Aaron Wadin, the mission's most recent executive director, resigned his position after butting heads with board members. Wadin laid out numerous issues that included a lack of understanding and transparency, especially when it came to the recent discovery of asbestos inside the West First Street building.
Wadin was hired as UCAN City Mission's executive director in January 2023 replacing former director Jeff Rotunda. Wadin's resignation marked the third time an executive director has resigned in the past three years.
"I want to make it clear that I only wish the best for UCAN. I love this organization; I love working with the least, the last and the left behind, and only wish good things in the future for them," he said. "And I pray that the goal of pointing them to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ stays first and foremost a priority."
Hamilton said the board is trying to find a pathway forward and is hoping to start programming and services as soon as possible.
"This alarming series of events are at present having a severe impact on UCAN operations and certainly present a real challenge to our board," Hamilton wrote in the press release.
Asbestos evaluation is already underway and the initial analysis is optimistic that remediation may be able to begin relatively quickly. That would allow some of the building to be reopened.
Shelter officials have also reached out to Joy Fellowship Church, whose leadership has said the church is willing to allow UCAN staff to provide guests with shelter and services from their facility. The location was available as of Jan. 31.
Board members have also met with administrative staff to organize services that will be available at the mission and the board met this week to develop next steps and begin identifying an interim director until a new full-time executive director can be found.
"We are currently monitoring the effect these challenges will have on our finances," Hamilton wrote. "As you can imagine, many considerations need to be handled very quickly, but the board is committed to seeing the mission through these challenges. Community support has been the backbone of our mission since its inception in 2017. We look forward to our continued partnership as we move through these challenges."