'The need is so profound': Milwaukee homeless center works toward expansion

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A hometown resource center asked city leaders to help expand their campus footprint Tuesday, Aug. 29.

Leaders with the MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary gave Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, along with members from the city's community grant administration team, a tour of their facilities.

The nonprofit showed the mayor where they hope to create new resource buildings and a garden for people who are facing homelessness or poverty.

The vision for the development project comes as Milwaukee sees an unsettling trend of the unhoused and at-risk population going up.

"The need is so profound here, something large has to happen," said Sister MacCanon Brown, president & CEO of the MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary.

The nonprofit has been running for nearly a decade. The organization currently has a home used as a distribution center for food and clothing, but they say more is needed. They hope to turn the home into a literacy and rehabilitation center.

"It's coming into reality already, and we are just asking the mayor to have this a part of what he blesses and supports," said Sister MacCanon.

The project has a projected cost estimated to be around $5 million. A price some say pales in comparison to what it can do for the city.

"Today means change. Now, people can see all she's doing for our community, and she really is helping," said Valerie Bell, an employee with MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary.

For more information on the center click the link here.