For the local non-profit on a mission to alleviate homelessness in Zanesville, a recent decision puts Homeless Hands one step closer to that goal.

Seeking permission to use the former Putnam Underground Railroad Education (PURE) Center as a Stepping Stone home for area’s homeless, Homeless Hands and the Muskingum County Community Foundation (MCCF) went before Zanesville’s Board of Zoning Appeals Thursday night.

Met with some opposition from several neighbors in the Putnam Historic District concerned with the potential impact transitional housing would have on the area, board members ultimately sided with Homeless Hands, allowing them to move forward with the purchase agreement with the MCCF.

Tammy Clark, founder of Homeless Hands, said she was on “cloud 58” following the meeting.

“I’m tickled to death,” said Clark, who has been working to establish a Stepping Stone home for months.

Providing the financial support to make the purchase possible is Ryan Dodson, owner of American Pride Power Equipment.

In the few years Homeless Hands has been in operation, Clark has been able to find homes for more than 25 people living on the streets.

However, the transition from street to civilization isn’t always easy.

One of the biggest challenges, according to Clark, is acquiring the proper identification needed to begin a new job.

“Without an address, it’s just so hard to get any form of identification,” said Clark.

The Stepping Stone home will make the process easier, because, unlike a shelter, residents can live at the home for an extended period of time until they are ready to move into a place of their own.

The home will serve as a transitional house for three homeless people at a time as they take the next step into a life off the streets.

“If you’re going to get a job, you need to take a bath. You need to have clean clothes. It’s hard to go from the street and your tent every day and go to work,” said Clark. “Walking everywhere and, depending on where your job is, it holds them back so much not being able to have a house as a resource to get themselves together. It will help tremendously with getting them going.”

During their time in the Stepping Stone home, Clark said the residents will learn fiscal responsibility and will be charged with household chores, as well.

The goal Clark has for her residents is that by the time they graduate from the Stepping Stone home, they will have acquired identification, transportation, employment and a home of their own.

In the future, Clark would also like to establish a warming shelter in Zanesville, describing the struggle many of the homeless go through each night in the winter.

Clark said each night, people staying outside in sleeping bags wake up nearly frozen.

“It is literally like a cloth piece of ice,” said Clark. “It’s horrible.”

Last winter, Clark said eight fingers and toes had to be amputated due to frostbite in the area.

Even with the establishment of a Stepping Stone home, Clark’s mission is not complete.

“You can’t save the world, but you can save your little corner,” said Clark.