First Capital Cornerstone of Change closes

CHILLICOTHE— After five years of serving the community First Capital Cornerstone of Change has officially closed down after serving its last meal on June 28.

First Capital Cornerstone of Change was started in 2019 and has worked to provide peer support, meals, clothing and other essential items to homeless individuals needing help in the Chillicothe area.

Christina Arredondo, co-director of the organization, said when the organization started the goal was to meet people where they were and be there once they decided they needed help. This meant people had to fill out minimal paperwork and were not required to prove sobriety to receive assistance.

"Our whole goal here was to meet people where they were at," said Arredondo.

In 2019, Arredondo said there were few resources available to the homeless in Chillicothe and while she is glad there are more avenues to receive help now she is still sad to be closing as the group of workers, volunteers and those who come in regularly have become "like a family."

The organization was forced to close due to budget constraints as the money supporting the efforts has run out