Our heroes this year are our amazing staff!
As a low-barrier Emergency COVID Shelter, we welcome all people. Many are intoxicated or high, many have untreated mental health challenges, and most have experienced trauma. Some have just lost jobs, houses, and families. Whatever their story, we receive them and provide a safe place for them to rest, eat, shower, and get their laundry done. We assist with the resources they need and direct them to community resources that may also be beneficial. All these services are provided by our caring staff who see our guests as valuable and important and are willing to walk beside them on their journey. Our staff faces difficult and challenging situations every day with grace and boundaries, not an easy task! We have so many stories of our guests who are now housed, have gotten clean and sober, have returned to their families, and are working. Many of those successes are the result of the care and work of our amazing staff!
With your assistance and support, The Salvation Army continues to serve our community by operating an Emergency COVID Shelter for those experiencing homelessness during the pandemic. We shelter between 50 and 77 guests each night and between 50 to 90 guests visit our day shelter each day. We also welcome, and enjoy, pets that belong to our guests.
We provide clothes, bus tokens, gas vouchers, toiletries, blankets, and coats along with utility and ID card assistance. In the last year, we have assisted many guests with finding housing, returning home, or entering drug/alcohol treatment.
Our holidays are filled with providing meals and gifts for families in our community. 450+ children were given a new coat, new shoes, and toys!