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LeeShore unveils remodel thanks to statewide shelter rehab project

Published 6:46 am Friday, March 10, 2017

By Megan Pacer

Karen Stroh, shelter manager at the LeeShore Center, shows guests around the shelter’s recently remodeled kitchen Thursday, March 9, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)
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Karen Stroh, shelter manager at the LeeShore Center, shows guests around the shelter’s recently remodeled kitchen Thursday, March 9, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)
Karen Stroh, shelter manager at the LeeShore Center, shows guests around the shelter’s recently remodeled kitchen Thursday, March 9, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)
The kitchen in Kenai’s LeeShore Center, pictured here during an open house Thursday, March 9, 2017, was recently remodeled thanks to a statewide project to address deferred maintenance at 17 domestic violence shelters across Alaska. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)

The remodel to Kenai’s LeeShore Center kitchen and other upgrades at the shelter are thanks to a project that targeted deferred maintenance at 17 shelters around Alaska. The state put up $2 million, which was matched by the Rasmuson Foundation. Several other organizations and entities also made contributions for a total of more than $4.2 million for much-needed renovations in the shelters, according to LeeShore staff.

Shelter Manager Karen Stroh said the updated kitchen with a bigger island, new floor and walk-in refrigerator and freezer makes all the difference when up to 32 people (the shelter’s capacity) are using it on a daily basis.

Education Coordinator Barbara Waters said LeeShore saw 160 clients in fiscal year 2016 — 103 women and 73 children. They stayed for a total of 7,516 bed nights in the building that is coming up on 32 years old, she said.

In addition to the remodeled kitchen, the project money allocated to LeeShore paid for a new laundry facility, new toilets and upgraded doors and security. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)

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