With a snip of the scissors and some smiles for the crowd in attendance, members of the Riverbank City Council recently cut the ceremonial ribbon, opening a new facility in downtown Riverbank.

The ceremony was hosted on Monday, Nov. 6, signifying the completion of phase one of the Sierra House Day Use Facility. It’s located at 3346 Sierra St., behind Sierra House, which is at 3344 Sierra. That building is still being remodeled, and will host the RESTART program, a residential training for Riverbank’s unhoused population. The Day Use Facility will be focused on providing that community with daily access to shower services, clothing, food, hygiene products and one-on-one case management and housing support.

Officials say the facility will be a “strategic entry point for Riverbank’s unhoused population as they move toward recovery and renewal.”

Also, the live-in program will include GED and life skills training, with a goal of “helping to transform lives and provide a path to gainful employment and permanent housing, resulting in full integration” into society.

All five members of the Riverbank City Council were on hand for the ribbon cutting.