Ray of Hope, a non-profit organization in Kalispell, is building an education center so people can get their vehicles repaired and learn practical skills.
Ray of Hope was started in 1999 as a thrift store and now includes shelters for men, women, and children. The organization helps those with financial hardships, homelessness, and addiction. The new education center is the latest endeavor of the organization to further support its mission.
Wayne Appl, outreach and fundraising coordinator, said the new building will have a garage on the first floor so that volunteers can help repair people’s vehicles. Volunteers also refurbish donated vehicles and then give them to people in need of transportation.
The new building will also have a classroom for teaching basic household and automobile repairs. Appl said that many of the clients who use the services of the non-profit lack these skills and would find it more economical if they were able to do such repairs themselves. It is also hoped that an apartment for a family can be built above the garage.
Such organizations can turn to brochure printing to provide more details about such planned projects and their offerings.
The executive director of the organization, Dave McLean, is overseeing the work as he is a retired residential and commercial contractor. LHC Inc. in Kalispell will be doing the water and sewer hookups.
