Providence Home Zenoni Dormitory renovation celebrated with grand re-opening and dedication
January 28, 2021
Providence Home, a Christ-centered transitional ministry for men, celebrated the grand re-opening of the newly renovated Zenoni Dormitory with a dedication remembering the late founder of Providence Home and the legacy of his work.
The Providence Home campus at 3421 N. Main Street recently expanded with the opening of the beautiful brick, two-story Southeastern Freight Lines (SEFL) Dormitory in August 2020, adding 27 beds, and almost doubling the ministry’s housing capacity for men in need. Immediately following the opening of the new SEFL dormitory, renovations began on the Zenoni Dormitory. Now completed, the total resident population on campus will increase to 60 men.
The Zenoni dorm was originally built in 1996 and named in memory of the founder, two and a half years after his passing December 13, 1993.
Donnelly Renovation provided much of the work for the renovation project, along with other service providers and professional skills and volunteer labor from resident men and church groups.
Long-time friend of Providence Home and Johnny Zenoni, Bob McAlister spoke at the dedication and said, “Johnny Zenoni’s influence spans generations through Providence Home and the people whose lives he touched, including mine. He built the ministry on Christ and it continues on that solid foundation.”
John Zenoni was a man who did not care about recognition but attracted people who cared about his passionate work. People like Billy Graham and Governor Campbell, are featured with Johnny on the Founder’s Wall in the renovated dormitory. Many people remember his signature phrase – “God Love Ya.”
Outgoing Board Chairman William (Bill) Cogdill says “Our 25-year old Zenoni Dormitory needed some updating, and this renovation is part of a comprehensive campus capital plan to better serve and accommodate the increasing resident population, including the current Mungo Dining Hall expansion and upcoming plans for a new multi-purpose chapel building. We are excited to serve additional men in this beautiful facility honoring Johnny Zenoni’s vision and sacrificial service.”
John Zenoni, son of the late Johnny Zenoni, who spoke at the event, had this to say after the event, “Thank you to the staff, volunteers, board members, donors and many, many others who helped put together this event that was so special to me and my family. While the focus was to showcase the benefit to the residents at Providence Home of having a revitalized and ‘new’ place to stay, it also gave my family and I a chance to see that our father’s legacy is still alive and well. He wanted to help others in need come to know Christ so they could turn their lives around and not feel alone or down or useless, and Providence Home is still doing this today.”
Awards were presented to the Zenoni family children and Bill Cogdill. Tours commenced after the ribbon-cutting for attendees to see the Founder’s Wall and inside all the newly renovated and furnished rooms. Virtual tours can be seen here: https://fb.watch/3isaxyY7S4/
Donnelly Renovation provided much of the work for the renovation project, along with other service providers and professional skills and volunteer labor from resident men and church groups.
Founded in 1963, Providence Home is a Christ-centered transitional ministry for men seeking to stabilize their lives after prison, addiction treatment facilities, or other situations. With basic needs met, residents commit to holistic services and goal-setting constructed to help them gain meaningful employment and progress in the areas of economic sustainability and physical, emotional, spiritual and relational well-being. A supportive environment fosters change, leading to a lifestyle of responsibility and influence.
For more about the history of Providence Home: https://providencehomecolumbia.org/about/our-history
