Way Station
The Way Station is an emergency shelter and transitional living program for homeless, runaway and at-risk youth. The facility was developed by AIDS Alabama on a 1.6-acre site on the corner of 3rd Avenue North and 7th Street in Smithfield.
The Way Station has 20 emergency beds for overnight stays for 18–24 year-olds without housing. It also has 20 beds in its transitional housing program, open to individuals referred by One Roof and other outreach workers. The program offers counseling, healthcare and mental health services, GED classes, mentorship, financial literacy, and job training programs.
Grant funding for the development of the program has been awarded by the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, the Junior League of Birmingham, the Housing Affordability Trust and Navigate Affordable Housing. The City of Brmingham contributed $1.3 million to the project.
Architect John M. Holmes worked with project manager Joey McClure on preliminary plans for a $3.5 million project. Hendon + Huckestein architects produced the final documents for a reduced $2 million budget. Stewart Perry contractors broke ground for the development on October 20, 2021.
References
- Rebman, Stephanie (October 3, 2019) "AIDS Alabama plans center for homeless teens on Third Avenue North." Birmingham Business Journal
- Swain, Sharron Mendel (April 26, 2021) "Help bring Birmingham’s only shelter for homeless youth to life now." Bham Now (sponsored content)
- Rebman, Stephanie (October 19, 2021) "AIDS Alabama breaking ground on way station project." Birmingham Business Journal
- Tryens-Fernandes, Savannah (October 20, 2021) "Birmingham breaks ground on city’s first youth homeless shelter" The Birmingham News
- Tryens-Fernandes, Savannah (August 4, 2022) "Birmingham’s first youth homeless shelter set to open soon" The Birmingham News