One critical gap in providing services for the homeless in the Wenatchee valley has been at least partially bridged. Hospitality House Ministries held a dedication last Friday for Hospitality Heights, a project that will house four families on South Mission Street across from Lincoln Park.

A group of dignitaries including gubernatorial contender Rob McKenna, Rep. Cary Condotta, Sen. Linda Evans-Parlette and Wenatchee Mayor Frank Kuntz were on hand to celebrate the opening of the project. There were three main sources of funding, a $150,000 grant from the city of Wenatchee, a $75,000 anonymous matching grant, and a $50,000 donation from Stemilt.

Three families have already been selected to moved into the transitional housing, which has a 90-day maximum stay requirement. It's designed to help families who are in crisis, and there are precious few opportunities to keep families together in the valley. "There hasn't been anything like it," said Jim Zumini, the director of Hospitality House.

The four homes are fully furnished, thanks to the contributions of many churches and individuals throughout the valley.

The certificate of occupancy is pending and Zumini hopes to begin moving families into the complex later this week.

Meanwhile, Dr. Dale Peterson was honored at the ceremony for his 29 years of service to Hospitality House Ministries, from which he retired last year.