SOLON, Maine (NEWS CENTER)-- For the past two and a half years the New Hope Women's Shelter in Solon has been taking in women and children, offering them a place to stay until they can get back on their feet.

Right now, a new shelter is being built behind the current one, which is connected to the New Hope E Free Church. Pastor Tim Hunt said the current shelter can only hold about 13 people and it is full. The new shelter will be able to hold as many as 40 people.

On Friday, crews were building the foundation of the new shelter. Pastor Hunt hopes the new shelter will open sometime next year, but its opening date will depend on how quickly money can be raised to build it.

"We're doing it all on donations. We take no money from the state. So it's all just donations of other churches, individuals, and businesses in the area that's really actually funding this," Pastor Hunt said.

According to Pastor Hunt, about $47,000 has been raised, and he estimates it will cost about $200,000 to build the new shelter.

If you want to contact the shelter you can call them at 207-643-6015 or visit its website: www.newhopeshelter.com

NEWS CENTER