Mollie Sitwell, Executive Director of nightlight, poses in front of the organization’s former downtown location (Photo: Michael J. Brethour/Quinte News)
When one door closes, another opens.
It’s that belief that Mollie Sitwell holds to as she fervently searches for the new home of nightlight.
The organization opened its doors in January 2014 at 228 Front Street, Belleville, catering to the vulnerable and marginalized of the friendly city, providing a safe place to meet and mingle three nights a week.
“Really in a nutshell nightlight exists to create a safe place to make meaningful relationships, though perhaps friendships would be a better term,” said Sitwell, nightlight’s executive director.
Nightlight has only Sitwell for staff and a small army of 24 volunteers all vetted to work with the vulnerable population. The charity has had 6,500 guests stop in at the old location this year
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Working with people struggling with poverty is a task that not everyone wants to do, but for Sitwell it has become a passion.
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She noted that for others, poverty can be frightening and sometimes the general public may find it unsettling to deal with.
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The organization has made great strides forging relationships and helping individuals wherever possible, but on November 25 nightlight closed their doors to their old downtown location, as the location is being transformed into a clothing store.
Currently, nightlight is temporarily relocated to the basement the Baptist Church at 34 Victoria Avenue while the not-for-profit searches for a new home.
The organization needs roughly 2000 square feet in the downtown, visible and accessible.
She noted that the location must also be zoned A2 for assembly.
“We really want it to be visible, we don’t want to hide poverty or pretend it doesn’t exist,” she said.
There is some concern from her guests noted Sitwell and some worry about this drastic change.
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Anyone with a potential lead on a facility can contact nightlightbelleville@gmail.com
