The Helena City Commission voted 4-0 Monday to approve a $134,600 grant agreement with Good Samaritan Ministries 900 LLC to renovate space inside their North Montana Avenue thrift store into a permanent home for Our Place, Helena's drop-in day services center for unhoused residents. The funds were originally allocated in August 2023 but had been held in limbo while the Ruth Place women's shelter project moved through multiple proposed locations. Our Place has been operating out of a temporary space in a Habitat for Humanity building on National Avenue, and that lease is also coming to an end.

The renovation will build out drop-in center spaces, a reception area, peer support rooms, a kitchen, laundry and shower facilities, storage, offices, and telehealth areas. Good Samaritan representatives Dan Bartlesen and Eric Kroger — who is joining the organization as executive director in training — addressed the commission ahead of the vote. Helena resident Thelma Simon offered public comment with a simple message: 'Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for stepping up and doing that.'

Commissioner Reid called it 'a long road' and said she was glad to see Our Place finding what she hoped would be 'a more permanent home.' Mayor Dean praised the organizations for their thorough planning and described Our Place as 'a very critical pillar in the community' for helping unhoused residents find stable paths forward. The approved grant will now allow renovation work to move ahead on the North Montana Avenue site.