About 200 people braved damp, cold conditions Thursday morning for the grand opening of Daybreak, a day center for homeless located at 174 Walnut St.

The concept of the center sprang forth two years ago from the Bless These Hands women’s cooperative, comprised of members of a handful of downtown Macon churches.

Fundraising exceeded the $175,000 capital campaign launched a year ago.

The Depaul USA project had volunteers from 11 faith communities representing eight denominations who converted an old warehouse the last 12 months. Depaul USA is a nonprofit organization to help the homeless.

“This is a tribute to the people of Macon who have come together to help those in need,” said the Rev. Bernard M. Tracey, of Philadelphia, chairman of the Depaul USA board. “This has the possibility to be a model for so many other communities.”

Through corporate and private donations, the center is furnished, with a community gathering room with an industrial kitchen, showers, bathrooms, laundry room, sinks, medical examination rooms, computers, phones and office space for Goodwill, Vista volunteers, the St. Vincent Depaul Society and Daybreak staff.

Sister Elizabeth Greim, executive director of Daybreak, praised the outpouring of support for the project.

“That’s a community that says everybody is important.”