Plans are in the works to turn a vacant nursing home in Jennings into The Way Training Center to provide housing and training to help restore lives of those with life-controlling issues, including drug or alcohol addictions, depression, anger issues or gambling problems.

The Way Training Center Director Gerard Morgan said Monday, the group is working with the property owners to buy the 30,000-square-foot former Jennings Guest House at 203 South Louise Street for a residential facility.

Acadiana Cares, a Lafayette-based non-profit group, acquired the former nursing home through a donation in 2012. The building, which is located on about three acres, has sat vacant since then and has only been used for storage, according to attorney Michael Adley.

The property has been deemed unsafe and in need of condemnation by the city, but The Way Training Center hopes to redevelop the facility into a long-term Christian discipleship training program, to train and equip people with life-controlling issues to function in a normal society.

“Our first step is to get the building rezoned from A-1 (agriculture) to A-6 for group home living,” Morgan said.

The group is currently working on it’s rezoning application. It hopes to present the request at the Jennings City Council meeting in November or December.

As part of the application, the group has received signatures of support from residents in the immediate and surrounding neighborhoods. Morgan was unable to provide the number of signatures, but said a “majority” of the residents were for the center.

A few residents have said they are for the center, but not in “their neighborhood,” he said.

If the rezoning request is approved by the city’s zoning board and city council, Morgan said the next step would be to renovate the facility and bring it up to current electrical, plumbing and safety codes. The floors will also have to be replaced, the air conditioning system redone and security doors and fencing added, he said.

“We will start immediately as soon as we sign the paperwork,” he said

Morgan said the group first looked at the property in 2017, but ran into some obstacles, including issue getting the property rezoned.

The following year, The Way Training Center acquired a former homeless shelter in Crowley and opened its first men’s facility. The 70-bed facility currently houses 52 men.

It is now looking to launch a new center for women to assist unwed mothers, women struggling with life controlling addictions and homeless women and children. It also hopes to provide additional centers for men in Southwest Louisiana.

No final decision has been made on where the women facility will be located, Morgan said.

Morgan said the nursing home would be ideal to locate either a men or women’s residential facility because it already has rooms, restrooms, showers, a kitchen, recreational area and office space.

“It’s a perfect property to operate out of,” he said.

Morgan stressed that The Way Training Center is an education center and not a rehab or addiction center. All programs are offered free to those 18 years old and up. No violent or sex offenders or anyone with severe mental illnesses are allowed in the program and the facility is tobacco, alcohol and narcotic-free.

““We see the problems and want to target the problems,” he said. “Our goal is to train and educate men and women to be productive citizens in society.”

Training takes place through hands-on vocational training, character development classes, support groups and includes a faith-based curriculum and job readiness. To successfully complete the 12-month program, students must show a successful transition into society, including finding a job and place to live, Morgan said.

The Way Training Center is fully funded by public donations, including proceeds generated by its five thrift stores located in Jennings, Crowley, Rayne, Eunice and Opelousas.