Indio Center for Homeless to Reopen

An Indio homeless shelter--the only walk-in, overnight shelter in the area--announced Wednesday that it will reopen, a month after it was forced to close following accusations that the facility’s former director defrauded the organization of $400,000.

The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, the only such shelter between Blythe and Banning, will open its doors again, following a widespread fund-raising effort in the Coachella Valley, officials said.

The mission, which has served the region for 31 years, closed its food kitchen and shelter last month, weeks after filing a lawsuit accusing its former executive director of defrauding the organization.

An anonymous donor this week gave the shelter a “challenge grant” of $50,000, which will kick in as soon as contributions from other residents and organizations reach $100,000. So far, the shelter has received pledges of $10,000 from people and church groups.