From left, St. Susan Center’s Executive Director Cherie Rowland, Chair of the UCAN Board of Directors Sharon Hamilton and JBC President David Conklin announce the colleges official donation of its building to the non-profits for use as a feeding and homeless shelter for women and children, starting in 2025 when the college shutters all operations. P-J photo by Christopher Blakeslee

Homeless women and children and the hungry may get a reprieve starting next year.

Officials with Jamestown Business College announced that they would be donating their building complex to the United Christian Advocacy Network and the St. Susan Center, after JBC shutters operations in early 2025.

JBC President David Conklin shared the news of the donation at a news conference held Thursday at 7 Fairmount Ave. location.

“Since 1886 the college has served the community of Jamestown,” said Conklin. “What better use than for the buildings to continue to serve the community.”

According to Cherie Rowland, St. Susan Center executive director, the St. Susan board of directors began a years-long search for a new location for the organization.

“This expansion is a direct response to the ongoing homelessness crisis in Jamestown, an issue St. Susan Center has been on the front line for decades,” she said. “The new location and planned renovations will significantly enhance our ability to serve those in need, providing a more welcoming and efficient space to support our guests. We are deeply grateful for the Conklin family’s incredible gift.”

Sharon Hamilton, chair for the UCAN City Mission’s board, echoed Rowland’s sentiments.

“We at UCAN City Mission are extremely grateful for this generous gift from the Conklin family,” she said. “The gift of the mansion portion of the 100-plus year college and community landmark will allow UCAN to move forward in developing an emergency women and children’s shelter. We are excited to accept this philanthropic gift that will benefit both UCAN and our community.”

When the executive directors of UCAN and St. Susan Center were asked about the logistics regarding ownership, insurance and taxes and if the two organizations were going to merge. Rowland said the center was in the development stages and that the organizations would remain separate, but officially in the process of trying to figure it all out.

Conkin interjected and said that the building is two separate structures, so in theory, if needed, the buildings could be split between the two parties.

Hamilton talked about the size and scope of UCAN’s initial operational usage of some of the space.

“We think we can effectively start with a seven-bed unit for women and children,” she said. “This will be for emergency housing usage.”

On the table is still the $1.1 million grant from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and how it could be leveraged for usage with renovations to the new building complex. However, Hamilton advised caution regarding the grant.

“There’s still a lot we have to do before the funds will be released – lots of red tape,” she said.

To help facilitate movement on the project the St. Susan Center has started a capital campaign.

“To support the St. Susan Center’s Capital Campaign, donations will be instrumental in transforming the newly-acquired building into a more modernized facility that will enhance the organization’s ability to serve the community. Every contribution, no matter the size, will play a crucial role in addressing the pressing needs of those experiencing hunger and homelessness in Jamestown. To donate and help create a brighter future for our community please visit stsusancenter.org/give.”

Jamestown City Mayor Kim Ecklund said “this is a good start. A very good start.”

Ecklund declared a state of emergency for the city July 25, to address the ongoing and growing homeless crisis. Since then, city officials have been advised that a new county-led Code Blue shelter is expected to be on the way before winter weather hits. A new women’s and children’s shelter is also in the works at 303 Lafayette St., Jamestown. That Chautauqua Opportunities Inc.-led project will convert the building into an 18-bedroom female facility, with the property a short distance away at what will soon be the former Jamestown Business College adding more space for women and children.

“Yes, this is a very good start and a step in the right direction,” Ecklund said.