The Third Place QC, a community support organization in Rock Island, Illinois, is actively seeking a larger facility to accommodate its growing number of visitors. Since its opening in October 2025, the organization has seen a significant increase in demand, serving an average of 120 people daily, far exceeding its initial expectation of 40.

Co-Founder Christie Adamson emphasized the importance of community and connection, stating, “All of us, whether we have housing or not, need people and need places where we’re known by name, where people look out for us when we’re not there.” The organization aims to provide more dignity and support to those in need, which requires a larger space than initially anticipated.

Jeff Parker, who has experienced homelessness for nearly two decades, shared how The Third Place has been a source of support and acceptance for him. “The first time I came down here, both Chrissy and Cloey were all smiles. Welcoming, warm, it was great,” Parker recalled. He credits the organization with helping him improve his mental health and inspiring him to make positive changes for himself and his children.

Adamson noted that a larger facility would enable The Third Place to better serve individuals seeking stability and housing. “This place really was built by the community itself, and I believe that is exactly how our next location will unfold,” she said. The organization is looking for a building of about 7,000 square feet with room for an outdoor patio, ideally located near downtown Rock Island to maintain proximity to community partners and service providers.

The search for a new location is ongoing, with zoning and other local requirements posing challenges in finding suitable properties. The Third Place encourages anyone with information about potential properties to contact co-founders Christie Adamson and Cloey.

Original reporting: WQAD (Quad Cities) — read the source article.