Christian ministry and nonprofit A Ray of Hope in Kalispell is building an education center behind its men’s shelter that will serve as a place for people to learn practical skills and get their vehicle repaired during tough times.

A Ray of Hope began as a thrift store in 1999 and has since expanded to include a men’s shelter and a women and children’s shelter. The organization helps those struggling with homelessness, addiction and financial hardships. The new education center, located on Fifth Avenue West, is the nonprofit’s latest endeavor to try to fill in the gaps.

Fundraising and outreach coordinator Wayne Appl said that a garage will be located on the bottom floor of the group’s new building to help volunteers continue to make repairs to people’s vehicles. On top of repair work, the group fixes up donated vehicles to then give to those in need of a reliable set of wheels.

“Because around here transportation is a big deal. You know, for getting to work, taking the kids to school — the whole nine yards,” Appl said.

The space will also serve as a classroom to teach basic auto and household repairs. Appl said many of the people who use the nonprofit’s services or stay in its shelters lack these skills, which could make or break a budget if they are faced with calling a plumber versus fixing it themselves.

“You wouldn't believe the amount of guys that come in here that don't know how to check their oil, or tire pressure or anything,” Appl said. “So we kind of help mentor them on their own cars … And then we're also going to do a little bit of basic plumbing, basic electric, basic carpentry — things like that.”

Appl worked in the maintenance department at the hospital for many years and says other retired tradesmen are interested in teaching skills at the center.

The organization is hoping to build an apartment for a family above the garage. Appl said one thing the nonprofit hasn’t been able to offer is the option to keep a family together. The group’s existing shelters are separated by gender.

“We have a family moving in today, the husband and older son have to live here, and the wife and daughter have to live over there because we have no way to keep them separate. So, that's why we're putting the apartment above the garage,” Appl said.

He said construction is being overseen by Dave McLean, the organization’s executive director and a retired commercial and residential contractor. They’ve contracted LHC Inc. in Kalispell to conduct water and sewer hookups.

“The city of Kalispell has been fantastic to work with,” Appl said. “We had a couple of steps that needed to be approved by the City Council and they all gave a resounding ‘yes.’”

Appl said the whole project was quoted at $285,000, with $97,000 of the cost going toward the apartment on top of the garage. The organization has been saving for the project for several years, Appl said, but have also received grants from the Gianforte Family Foundation, the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation and the Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund, as well as contributions from local donors.

So far, they have reached around $100,000 of their overall goal.

THE NEW building aside, Appl said the nonprofit is about to launch a program that was first started by Black Diamond Mortgage owners David Boye and Maria Phelps called “Tires for a Change'' where local businesses raise money to buy tires for people. The addition fits in with the rest of A Ray of Hope’s services that try to “break the cycle of homelessness” by helping in as many areas of life as possible.

“Well, there is virtually no limit. We help people with bus tickets, with clothing, with food, gas cards, train tickets, plane tickets,” Appl said. “We've had people stay from two weeks to two years. So, we don't have a specific time limit as long as they're achieving their goals and moving forward … and working on bettering themselves.”

He said as sober living houses, the ministry has more rigid rules compared to other local outreach organizations. But they make bonds with people that extend beyond their time at the shelter.

“We had a family here about six, eight months ago; they were the coolest and sweetest people,” Appl said with a smile. “And when they came here, we had to do the same thing (splitting them up), the husband here and the wife and two daughters over there. They weren't married at the time, but just a few months ago, they got married and invited all of us to the wedding.”

He said the nonprofit hopes to have the new building completed in spring of next year. They are looking for volunteers to help with the project, as well as any local businesses who are interested in donating materials.

Find out more about A Ray of Hope, including a list of the services they offer, by going to their website arayofhopemontana.com.

Reporter Taylor Inman can be reached at 406-758-4433 or by emailing [email protected].