A Wyoming family shelter that expected to remain closed well into next year is now on track for a much earlier reopening—thanks to the rapid intervention of a local construction business owner and his son.
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The Journey Center for Families at the COMEA House and Resource Center temporarily closed on Dec. 3 after residents caused extensive interior damage, prompting leadership to warn that repairs could take months. But within days, Matthew Anderson, a Casper-based construction company owner, stepped forward after seeing the organization’s Facebook post.
"There was no question I immediately I wanted to help out and do as much as I can and find as many resources as I can," Anderson said. "There's a lot of people who got their hand in this with materials, including me and my son, to do whatever it takes to get the families off the street."
Anderson and his son Tanner not only volunteered to lead the renovation—they set an ambitious goal: rebuilding the damaged units in time to welcome vulnerable families back before Christmas.
According to Anderson, support materialized quickly. "We got an immediate grant to be able to use some funds through Home Depot to do the things that are necessary right now. And then for long term, we're going to ask for a grant to be able to do the whole building," he explained.
Work is starting with two heavily damaged bedrooms. "So we're going to start with these two bedrooms there's quite a bit of work that needs to be done to get them functional for a family, but not only that, safe and clean."
COMEA executive director Robin Bocanegra said the outpouring of community support began almost immediately after the announcement. But Matthew Anderson’s rapid response and his push for a holiday deadline exceeded expectations.
"Matthew was the first, and he asked if he could spearhead it, so we started with And we've got this plan together This is a businessman who has his own company I'm sure he's busy," Bocanegra said.
Originally, she expected repairs to stretch well into early 2026. "If we can even get him in here by the first of the year, we'll be lucky. And when he said, we want to get families in here before the holidays, no one should be without a place to stay over Christmas That's just heartbreaking," she noted.
With the Home Depot grant secured, volunteers and tradespeople are focusing on urgent tasks—cleaning debris, restoring furniture, repairing walls, and repainting rooms. Anderson’s team is coordinating additional donations for materials and labor to ensure long-term durability, not just temporary fixes.
Beyond basic repairs, the project aims to redesign the space into a cleaner, safer, and more welcoming environment that better supports families in crisis. If completed by the holidays, the Journey Center could again provide shelter at a time when demand historically spikes.
The center’s reopening will include an emphasis on safety, resilience, and maintaining facilities to prevent future closures. COMEA leadership says the response from community members—volunteers, donors, businesses, and neighbors—shows a deep commitment to helping vulnerable families, especially during the winter season.
With momentum building and support pouring in, Anderson and his son hope to hand back the restored space before Christmas morning.
Originally reported by Alex Hill in Your Wyoming Link
