The doors to Mount Gambier wellness centre Gashungo Support Service officially opened last week.
More than 30 people walked through the facility, located at 3 Elizabeth Street during the open day.
Gashungo Support Service founder Oathman Fazilahmed said the day of celebration went by in a flash.
“I had mixed emotions about exactly how I saw it from where our organisation started a month ago,” he said.
“I was very overwhelmed by the people that turned up and all the stakeholders that have a big stake in our future in the industry.
“It gave me a lot more insight because I always struggle with self-doubt about whether or not I’m doing the right thing and if it’s the right way.
“In terms of all the support, it gave me that bit of hope to say it is something the Limestone Coast area needs and I have to be strong enough to carry this message through.”
Mr Fazilahmed said there had already been people signing up for the wellness centre, a trend he hoped to see increase.
“Anyone can pop in and we’re a referral service as well, if we cannot help with anything they need, we’ll be able to refer them to the right place for them to go to,” he said.
“I hope for the community to get behind us and be patient with us as well because we are a new organisation and we’re not going to get things right straight away, but obviously we will get things right in time.
“Step by step every day and then we’ll find a way to include the community and engage the community in the things that we do and to make it better for everybody in the Limestone Coast area.
“I’m very passionate about what we’re doing.”
Mr Fazilahmed said he remained hopeful of installing beds for those sleeping rough, but was awaiting council approval.
“The plan going forward is to build our client base to put us in a better stead in the hope of supporting our main mission: homelessness,” he said.
“In terms of why I have started this, my number-one priority is to get people off the streets.
“Our future plan is to build wellness centres that people will be able to go to and have a safe haven to stay.
“At the moment it’s set up to be the wellness centre and in a couple of months we will open up the soup kitchen and then raise funds to open up a wellness centre for the homeless.”
