The Carroll County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Arkansas Community Foundation, recently announced that ECHO Village has successfully met and exceeded its fundraising match and has been awarded a $10,000 grant from Endowment for Home Improvement in Carroll County.

Donations raised along with the funds granted will help build the Christopher Epley Hospitality House.

Nicknamed the “Big Cat” House in memory of Christopher Epley, it will serve as a general community gathering spot for residents in ECHO Village as well as an emergency housing facility for men and women.

The downstairs will offer a large kitchen, bathrooms, laundry facilities, a resident manager’s office and a gathering space where ECHO Village residents can meet, share potlucks and take classes.

“The upstairs will be divided into two large areas with twin bedding for women and men,” said Suzie Bell, representing ECHO Village. “This will be used for emergency shelter for individuals and fam ilies who are homeless or in need of shelter due to circumstances such as fire, domestic abuse or other emergency situations.

“Christopher loved ECHO and did a lot of work in helping get the clinic ready. To those who knew and loved Christopher this building is a fitting way to memorialize him so that his spirit and character will never be forgotten. Christopher was all about helping others and he must be grinning from ear to ear to see this.”

On hand to receive the $10,000 grant representing ECHO Village were Dan Bell, Suzie Bell, Tom Odom, Dennis Lykins and Chuck Welch.

Joe Scott, Lona Noonan, Sue Hopkins and executive director Janell Robertson represented the Carroll County Community Foundation. “This one-of-a-kind matching grant

“This one-of-a-kind matching grant opportunity from your local Community Foundation aligns perfectly with our endowment’s focus and purpose,” Robertson said. “The affordable housing issue and increased homeless is concerning. It was exciting to see how the community responded so generously.”