Day Resource Center reaches full operation as community celebrates.

The Day Resource Center in downtown Eau Claire entered continuous operation at the end of December 2025 and community members marked its completion; organizers report roughly 240–262 unduplicated visitors monthly in early 2026 and that the One Better Way campaign has reached about 72% of a $6.4 million goal.

The Day Resource Center in downtown Eau Claire is now operating continuously and community members gathered to mark its completion. The center, located at 1 Better Way (formerly 610 Gibson Street), was chosen as a central site in April 2025 after several years of planning and opened services through the Community Haven House at the end of December 2025. Organizers say the center centralizes resources such as bathrooms, hygiene care, storage for personal items and medicine, an address for mail and a check-in system to connect visitors to programs. Leaders described the moment as one of gratefulness and emphasized collaboration among faith-based groups, secular organizations and local governments. Key facts: - The Day Resource Center opened continuous services at the end of December 2025 and serves through the Community Haven House. - Usage reported by WDEOC: January had 262 unduplicated guests (about 85 visits per day), February had 240 (about 82 per day), and March had 246 (about 86 per day). - Western Dairyland selected the building at 1 Better Way in April 2025 after about three years of planning. - The center provides bathrooms, hygiene care, personal item and medicine storage, an address for mail and shared conference space for partner organizations. - Organizers reported the One Better Way campaign has raised roughly $4.65 million toward a $6.4 million goal (about 72% funded) to support ongoing operations. - Leaders noted anecdotal reports from downtown business owners that incidents have declined since people have a place to go. Summary: The center is intended to reduce barriers to care by co-locating services and connecting visitors to housing and wellness programs. Organizers plan to continue developing programming in the Western Dairyland portion of the building and to advance fundraising for ongoing operations.