Salvation Army Reopens Updated Lighthouse Shelter

In addition to building renovations, The Salvation Army has updated its resident program to include life and job skill classes, counseling, and a Christian-based recovery group.

The Salvation Army plans to re-open its Lighthouse Shelter. Salem-News.com photo by Jerry Freeman

(SALEM) - The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center plans to re-open its Lighthouse Shelter after completing updates on the over 50 year old structure located at 1901 Front Street in Salem. Invited guests and the media have a one-time opportunity to tour the complete facility on January 7^th during an open house. Residents start moving in on January 8^th.

The project, that started in August, required The Salvation Army to temporarily vacate the aged building and bring it up to code before updating bathrooms, replacing flooring, painting and completing other repair work.

“We made the decision to temporarily close the shelter because we needed to look at how we could meet the most need in the long term,” said Major Kelly Pontsler, The Salvation Army’s Corps Officer. “When we closed the shelter in August, we were operating at about half of the building’s actual capacity. With the updated building we will be able to shelter up to 83 men and women.”

In addition to building renovations, The Salvation Army has updated its resident program to include life and job skill classes, counseling, and a Christian-based recovery group.

“We are excited to collaborate with community partners and offer residents of the shelter additional resources to help them as they work to become more independent,” said Melissa Baurer, Director of Community services for The Salvation Army. “We are taking a holistic approach addressing situations from a variety of perspectives.”

Residents will start moving into the shelter on January 8^th. Those referring a person to the program may call the Family Service Office at 503 798-4870.  

The Salvation Army still has a need for funding to provide beds and other furniture before they can properly accommodate the full 83 residents.   Those interested in helping or learning more about The Salvation Army may call Jo Ellen Legg, Director of Development at 503-798-4843 or visit www.salvationarmysalem.org



About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for more than 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org