After shuttering operations in December of 2023, the United Christian Advocacy Network’s City Mission has reopened its doors Thursday and is starting to once again house homeless males from Chautauqua County. Submitted Photo

The doors are once again open at the UCAN City Mission on First Street.

Since late December 2023, the UCAN city mission’s lights have been off and the building left all but vacant except for construction and asbestos remediation crews.

The onus for this unprecedent shutdown during the winter months was due in part to a planned heating system repair, while the discovery of asbestos and a catastrophic failure with the furnace forced the mission’s evacuation.

Now, the city mission has a new heating and air system, the asbestos remediation has been completed, and two residents and the rest of the staff have taken up residency again .

“We have two guests in the building, but there are several more coming from DSS (Department of Social Services) this week,” said Bruce Baehr, UCAN interim executive director. “We’ve had an amazing group of volunteers and staff members who’ve cleaned up the building and got everything ready for us to take up residency again.”

From left, Don Mozzi, operations staff, Rachel Barto, board member and Bruce Baehr, interim executive director for the United Christian Advocacy Network’s City Mission are all smiles as the shelter has opened its doors for the first time in more than four months. P-J photo by Christopher Blakeslee

It’s the end of a long road for the mission. Sharon Hamilton, UCAN City Mission board chair, said in February the mission’s boiler system suffered a terminal failure that meant the mission lost heat on Jan. 8 and made the mission unable to fulfill its role as a Code Blue shelter. Code Blue shelters are used any time temperatures reach 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below. While the notice is in effect, the shelter intake process is simplified, meaning people are able to get access quicker. The state also significantly ramps up its efforts to steer anyone experiencing homelessness indoors during these periods.

Jamestown Free Methodist Church stepped into the void to provide shelter, food and support for those who were displaced. Pastor Dodi McIntyre, the church’s lead pastor, earned praise and laurels from Hamilton, the UCAN staff and some city officials.

“On January 31st we were able to successfully move our guests out of a hotel and move them temporarily to Joy Fellowship. We have been blessed by Pastor Dodi McIntyre and the Joy Fellowship congregation for their positive response to our request to provide temporary housing for our guests,” Hamilton said in an email.

For more information about the UCAN City Mission, contact 716-488-7480 or email ucandirector@gmail.com.