LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Three Lexington organizations are teaming up, offering a wide range of services under one roof.

Millions of dollars were raised as the Lexington Rescue Mission purchased a building on West Second Street, and the money also funded Isaiah House Renovations and the relocation of Jubilee Jobs to the site, forming a centralized hub.

“We were able to find this facility which was a godsend,” said Laura Carr, executive director of the Lexington Rescue Mission.

The 52,000-square-foot facility offers more space for outreach services, and the Lexington Rescue Mission has been looking for a new space since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’ve been out of space for a long time, but the pandemic has really exacerbated it, and what we’re finding is that we just didn’t have the space to serve the number of people that were coming to us,” Carr noted.

Lexington Rescue Mission now has space to accommodate 120 people at a time in one dining area. It’s a major upgrade from the 35 currently, the mission serves breakfast and lunch six days a week and about 60,000 meals a year.

“It gives us room to grow well into the future and room for people to come into the building and co-locate,” Carr added.

Lexington’s second-floor Jubilee Jobs is led by CEO Mason King.

“Last year, we helped more than 500 people secure employment with more than 200 employers, plus different ones in Central Kentucky,” King said.

On the third floor, Isaiah House has a community center with primary care, including general checkups, physicals and immunizations. With behavioral health services on the other side, Isaiah House Public Relations Director Tanner Blevins describes part of their mission.

“We want to be able to serve everybody, regardless of ability to pay. Come here and we’ll figure out a plan and figure out what resources need to happen so you can get the help you need,” Blevins said. .

King points out a startling statistic: According to a Vizient analysis prepared for the University of Kentucky, residents of the 40508 ZIP code live an average of 11 years less than residents of other Lexington ZIP codes.

“Why? Well, in large part, it is because of the lack of access to reliable health care, including primary health care, which will now be provided on site.”

More funds are needed. Through this project, the Lexington Rescue Mission has raised $4.6 million, but another $2.3 million is needed to make this facility fully operational, with the goal of having that happen in early 2025.