The Safe Haven Campaign

Since April 2017, the largest low-barrier walk-in shelter in Mid-America has been shut down. As a result of the city of St. Louis closing the New Life Evangelistic Center at 1411 Locust, multitudes have been forced to sleep outside in their cars, vacant buildings, or wherever they can lay their heads. The tornado that ripped through North St. Louis on May 16^th has made this need for shelter even more critical for thousands of men, women, and children.

After numerous attempts to get city officials to allow the reopening of 1411 Locust have failed, New Life Evangelistic Center is actively seeking a new location for this shelter that will be available to the homeless. This will be a safe haven where the homeless and hurting will feel safe and secure.

Unlike Chicago and other cities, which have moved their major shelters out of their previous locations, St. Louis has never offered NLEC another location it could move to. When Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago had to move, it was directed to another location. This has not been the case for the New Life Evangelistic Center.

The homeless have suffered enough since the closing of the New Life Shelter. Now this suffering is being intensified as a result of the loss of over 3,500 homes due to the May tornado. During the upcoming months, NLEC will be actively seeking to acquire a location for a new shelter. New Life is exploring sites like St. Josephine Church and the convent building at 18^th and Lucas in St. Louis. It is also pursuing other locations and would welcome direction by St. Louis officials as to where it may open its new shelter.

New Life Evangelistic Center has launched a capital funds campaign to raise $3,000,000 to acquire and renovate a major shelter that will provide for homeless men, women, and children who are now in need.

The opening of this low-barrier walk-in shelter for the homeless is much more cost-effective than spending up to $100 a night to provide shelter at local motels. This same $100 could provide shelter for a homeless person for a month at the NLEC facility, which will give the person in need an opportunity to get a job and move into a home of their own.

Larry Rice

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9