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Springfield Victory Mission Inc. Executive Director Jason Hynson speaks in front of a live audience for Springfield Business Journal’s 12 People live interview series.SBJ photo by HEATHER MOSLEY
Springfield Victory Mission Inc. Executive Director Jason Hynson speaks in front of a live audience for Springfield Business Journal’s 12 People live interview series.

SBJ photo by HEATHER MOSLEY

Victory Mission mulls campus move

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Springfield Victory Mission Inc. is considering a relocation from its Commercial Street campus.

It’s part of a re-evaluation of the nonprofit nestled at the southwest corner of Commercial Street and Boonville Avenue by new Executive Director Jason Hynson, who sat down this morning for Springfield Business Journal’s 12 People You Need to Know live interview series. Hynson began leading the nonprofit in November. It has an operating budget of just under $2 million, down from $2.7 million last year. The nonprofit also recently closed Cook’s Kettle and the Victory Trade School and reduced staff by five positions.

“At some point, you look at what you’re doing and say, ‘What is core to our mission?’” he said, noting partnerships with schools and businesses are key. “What are we? How do we fit, and why do we fit? Why does Victory Mission exist?”

Currently, the nonprofit’s three-story building is nearly two-thirds empty most of the time. The remainder houses administrative offices, catering services, chapel and evening meals for those facing homelessness or addiction.

Hynson said Victory Mission’s 13-member board of directors soon will be part of a strategic process evaluating the nonprofit’s mission and location. Hynson acknowledged critics’ views that homeless services offered on C-Street have hindered economic development.

“I don’t think we are centered at that place,” he said. “We need to be conscious of business owners saying, ‘Hey, you know it’s hard to have this business if you’re doing this.’ OK, well let’s re-evaluate that. Let’s at least take it to the table. We may not be able to do it right now.”

One option is relocating to Victory Square, a 150-bed homeless shelter for men Victory Mission operates at 1610 N. Broadway Ave., west of historic C-Street and between Commercial and Division streets.  

But Hynson said the organization is not sure if the property would be adequate for its headquarters.

“We can be flexible with where we want to move to,” he said, noting Victory Mission’s campus is not currently listed for sale. “Is it time to just list it and see what happens?

“We have a big board, and they’re going to help give us some direction on that.”

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