NORWICH - The W.R.A.P. Center will open its daytime community space June 1 at 1 O’Hara Drive, in Norwich, following a ribbon cutting earlier this month that drew more than 100 people and highlighted a growing local effort to respond to homelessness, addiction, and mental health struggles in Chenango County.

The center is operated through Catholic Charities of Chenango County. “This space was created for people to come inside, take a breath, get out of the elements, connect with resources, and feel welcomed without pressure or judgment,” the W.R.A.P. Center said in its announcement.

The W.R.A.P. Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Its name stands for Warmth, Recovery, Assistance and Hope.

Organizers said the May 11 ribbon cutting was not only about opening a building, but about showing what can happen when local agencies, churches, elected officials, volunteers and community members work together on difficult problems.

Representatives at the ribbon cutting included Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Southern Tier Regional Representative Rose Olsen, Norwich Mayor Robert Jeffreys, Chenango County Department of Social Services Commissioner Daniel Auwarter, New York State Assistant Director of Temporary and Disability Assistance Sara Watson, and Catholic Charities of Chenango County Executive Director Robin Cotter.

The center said churches, local agencies, volunteers, community partners and neighbors also attended.

The opening builds on work already underway through the local Warming Center, which the organization said has served more than 180 people. Organizers said the work is not only about numbers, but about recognizing the people behind them and refusing to ignore those experiencing hardship.

The W.R.A.P. Center said the project reflects an unusual level of collaboration for a rural community. Staff from the Warming Center, the SOS team, local agencies, churches, elected officials and community members have worked together to create a support system rooted in compassion and practical help.

The daytime space is intended to serve people who need connection, recovery support, help navigating resources or simply a safe place to be for a while. Organizers said the goal is to meet people where they are and connect them with support when they are ready.

Catholic Charities stated the center reflects its approach to community problems: acknowledging difficult needs directly and working with partners toward meaningful, realistic solutions.

- Information from Catholic Charities of Chenango County