County to Contribute $1M to Mission Solano

County to Contribute $1M to Mission Solano
By Daily Republic staff

FAIRFIELD - Solano County will contribute $1 million to Mission Solano for the construction of the Bridge to Life Center, a homeless shelter and counseling center, the Board of Supervisors decided Tuesday.

The 3.5 acre site is scheduled to be constructed on Beck Avenue, just south of the Health and Social Services building, and will expand homeless facilities and programs in the Fairfield-Suisun area. It is intended to complement Health and Social Service assistance to the homeless.

The contribution will offset the estimated $8 million cost for the project. Mission Solano has already raised 81 percent of the construction cost, with contributions from the city of Fairfield, Jelly Belly and Valero Refining.

In addition, up to 50 percent of the construction cost has been granted by Home Aid, a nonprofit organization formed by the construction industry.

The Bridge to Life will include 158 beds for homeless men, women and children as well as a daycare center, men's transitional living quarters, a dining hall, education facilities, playing fields and a 200-seat chapel.

Residents will get on-site counseling and be able to stay up to 18 months. The center will also offer drop-in counseling services to the homeless. It is scheduled to be completed by fall 2008.