SLO County homeless shelter opens new family wing, marks 25th anniversary

The El Camino Homeless Organization, known as ECHO, recently celebrated the grand opening of its new Balay Ko Family Resource Center at its Atascadero shelter. This expansion marks a significant step forward in ECHO’s mission to provide housing and support for homeless families. The new facility, which opened less than a year after construction began, is part of ECHO’s 90-day care program designed to help individuals and families regain stability.

The opening also coincided with ECHO’s 25th anniversary of serving the community in northern San Luis Obispo County. The event brought together longtime volunteers, community leaders, and former clients who have benefited from ECHO’s services over the years. Executive Director Wendy Lewis shared that the vision for the family wing had been in the works for years, but the project gained momentum with a generous contribution from the Balay Ko Foundation.

Lewis explained that the foundation’s support allowed ECHO to move forward with the expansion more quickly than anticipated. The new facility, built on vacant land adjacent to the original shelter, includes 17 modular units manufactured by Bevyhouse in Santa Paula. These units were transported by flatbed trucks and assembled on-site using cranes. The $6 million project was funded by a combination of the Balay Ko Foundation’s $2.8 million contribution and ECHO’s capital campaign.

The expansion adds 30 beds specifically for families, effectively doubling the shelter’s overnight capacity. The new space is designed with families in mind, featuring shared bathrooms equipped with showers, changing tables, and bathtubs to accommodate young children. A children’s creativity room offers arts and crafts and toys in a living room-style environment, while a workforce development classroom provides access to computers and desks for job search and documentation assistance.

The facility also includes a public laundry room, an important addition for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Don Idler, president of Idler’s Home, has been a long-time supporter of ECHO, providing its first refrigerator and later contributing $30,000 in appliances, including the new laundry machine, to the family wing.

This expansion reflects a growing commitment to addressing housing insecurity and supporting vulnerable neighbors. As the shelter continues to serve the community, it stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of providing safe, dignified spaces for those in need. Proverbs 31:8-9 reminds us to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, and ECHO’s work aligns with that call to care for the marginalized.

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