The Catherine McAuley Center will be hosting an Open House on Wednesday, February, 19 from 4:00-6:30pm to celebrate the completion of the Transitional Housing Program learning kitchen remodel.   The project’s success was made possible by the dedication of many volunteers and local businesses, groups, and sponsors.  The Open House is open to all and will give community members the opportunity to see the remodeled kitchen, meet the hard-working and generous individuals behind the project, and enjoy fresh-baked treats from the new oven.  The event will take place at the Catherine McAuley Center, 866 4^th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids.

The Transitional Housing Program strives to help homeless women address the issues contributing to their homelessness in a safe, supportive environment that prepares them to establish and maintain permanent housing.  The Program fights to break the cycle of poverty and nurture healing and recovery for survivors of trauma, including victims of domestic violence.   It provides long-term, individualized case management and support services as the women confront substance abuse, seek treatment for mental health issues, learn the skills needed to find and maintain employment, develop healthy relationships, gain financial stability, and employ healthy living skills.

Prior to the remodel project, the existing kitchen had three major problems.  First, it could only be entered through a narrow doorway, and the small, confined space could be a trigger for survivors of violence.  Second, the space limited opportunities for hands-on programming and cooking demonstrations, despite strong interest from community partners in providing such programs.  Finally, the space was not functional for preparing healthy meals, with outdated and broken appliances and cabinetry, and very limited work space.

The previous kitchen was outdated, cramped, and uninviting.

The project initially got off the ground with the partnership of the Cedar Rapids Soroptimist Club, which provided a $9500 grant to partially fund the remodel and assisted with leveraging other partnerships and donations in the community.  Local businesses generously donated materials, expertise and countless hours of labor to design and install the new kitchen.  The combination of donated materials, funding, and services covered the entire cost of the nearly $60,000 project.

The end result is a beautiful open and inviting kitchen, with new, functional appliances, ample cabinet and counter space, and a large center island and cook-top, ideal for group cooking demonstrations.  The new space will significantly impact program participants’ ability to learn and practice healthy living skills to take with them when they complete the program.

The project was made possible by the generosity of the following sponsors and donors:  Soroptimist Club of Cedar Rapids, the Ar-Jay Center, Benchmark Construction LLC, Brecke Mechanical Contractors, Cabinets Galore, Housing Fund for Linn County, Home Appliance, Koch Cabinets, Ladco, Local 125, Plumb Supply and “Old Farts” Electric.

For more information, call (319)731-0448 or visit https://cmc-cr.org/tag/kitchen-project/