By By Fredie Carmichael/The Meridian Star
Dec. 6, 2001
Months of planning and work will payoff late this month when the four cottages of Hope Village for Children open at the site of the former Masonic Home.
The grand opening is set for Dec. 27, an event that will feature award-winning actress Sela Ward a key supporter of the project. The cottages will be ready to house abused and neglected children early next year.
Hope Village is on 23rd Avenue and occupies the site of the former Masonic Home. The first cottage opened in August and was leased to Peavey House, a short-term home for abused children.
That cottage is filled to capacity with a dozen children.
The four remaining cottages that will make up Hope Village will house the charity's first permanent residents, providing a safe and secure home for abused and neglected children.
Each of the cottages at Hope Village will have 12 beds; combined, they will sleep up to a maximum of 48 children. All four are nearing the completion of month-long renovations.
Hope Village will offer services for extended care residents; children who come through the emergency shelter and need a long-term place to stay; children who can't be placed in foster care; and children who need therapeutic care.
Cheri Kueven, board member of Hope Village for Children and vice president of East Mississippi Children's Shelter more commonly called the Peavey House credited Ward with spearheading the project.
Ford said that Ward's connections with organizations around the world has helped the project move along quickly.
Fredie Carmichael is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3228, or e-mail him at fcarmichael@themeridianstar.com.
Here is a look at Hope Village for Children, a home for abused and neglected children.
The home: The four cottages of Hope Village are at the site of the former Masonic Home on 23rd Avenue.
The capacity: Hope Village will house 48 children, with 12 in each of the four cottages.
The opening: The Dec. 27 grand opening will include a brunch for supporters and a public tour of the cottages.