Women's Shelters
Empowering Women, Providing Shelter, and Inspiring Hope
Finding Hope in Women's Shelters: The Salvation Army's Mission to Support Homeless Women and Domestic Abuse Victims
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 2024 report (HUD), women and girls represent 39.2% of people experiencing homelessness, with many seeking women's shelters and other resources to find refuge. An increasing number of females are experiencing "unsheltered homelessness," meaning they are staying on the street, in abandoned buildings, or in other places not meant for habitation.
The Salvation Army women's shelters offer a caring and supportive environment for women, regardless of their marital status or whether they have children. These shelters for women and children, spread across the country, serve as safe havens for those in need. They address the unique challenges faced by women and their families. Whether it's providing immediate shelter, meals, clothing, medical assistance, counseling for substance use disorder, or long-term transitional housing, our women's shelters staffs are dedicated to assisting unhoused women - and women experiencing domestic violence- in attaining safe, stable, and affordable housing solutions.
Rebuilding Lives with Compassion: Unveiling the Comprehensive Programs and Services of The Salvation Army's Women's Shelters
In a world where women face numerous challenges, the need for women's shelter and basic needs and services cannot be overstated. These women's shelters serve as lifelines, offering a compassionate and empathetic response to women in crisis and providing a safe haven for those escaping domestic violence by creating a protective space where they can find solace from the pain and fear they have experienced. The Salvation Army Women's Shelters are a refuge where women can begin the healing process, surrounded by understanding staff and a supportive community that fosters healthy relationships.
Compassion is needed now more than ever, and The Salvation Army's women's shelters represent beacons of hope offering empathy, understanding, and a commitment to supporting women as they heal and recover from crises. With each person we touch and each life we help to transform, our women's shelters create a ripple effect of love, healing, and renewed hope in the hearts of women who have faced unimaginable hardship and challenges.
What is required for admission to the Salvation Army Women's Shelter
Anyone who meets the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development criteria for homelessness is eligible for assistance from our women's shelters. The guidelines from the HUD website include:
- Residing in places not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, abandoned buildings, streets, and sidewalks.
- Residing in an emergency shelter.
- Residing in transitional or supportive housing after originally being unhoused or from residing in emergency shelter.
- Being evicted within a week from a private dwelling unit with no subsequent residence identified while lacking resources and support networks needed to obtain housing.
- Being discharged within a week from an institution in which you have been a resident for more than 30 consecutive days with no subsequent residence identified, such as a mental health or substance abuse treatment facility or a jail/prison.
- Fleeing an abusive relationship or a domestic violence housing situation with no subsequent residence identified and lacking the resources and support networks needed to obtain housing.
Rebuilding Lives with Compassion: The Comprehensive Programs and Services of The Salvation Army's Women's Shelters
The Salvation Army’s women’s shelters offer more than just a safe place to sleep—they’re a lifeline for women escaping domestic violence, homelessness, and hardship. With compassion and care, we provide shelter, support, and the tools needed to help women rebuild their lives.
Across the country, our shelters offer services like case management, job support, therapy, child care, and transitional housing. In Austin, Texas, the Austin Shelter for Women and Children (ASWC) provides wraparound services and has become one of our highest-performing programs since opening in 2001.
We also offer transitional housing programs like Westwood Transitional Village in Los Angeles, which supports around 150 people, including single mothers and veteran families, with a safe space and long-term housing solutions.
Support doesn’t end when someone leaves our shelters. In places like Knoxville, Tennessee, the Joy D. Baker Center provides not only emergency shelter but also court advocacy, job placement help, and long-term support for women and their children.
Where women’s shelters aren’t available, we connect individuals to emergency housing partners or offer financial assistance to meet immediate needs. No matter the location, our mission remains the same: helping every woman and child find safety, stability, and a path forward.
We're aware that for people who have experienced homelessness and for survivors of domestic violence, this can be a challenging journey; therefore, we are committed to being a constant source of support along the way. Resources will vary by location. In cities where we do not have women's shelters, we connect individuals facing housing and food insecurity with partner programs that provide emergency shelter services or financial assistance for emergency overnight housing costs. Our goal is to do everything within our power to ensure that every woman and child is afforded access to safe, secure, and stable housing.
Voices of Strength
Inspirational Stories of Resilience and Empowerment from Women Who Found Refuge in The Salvation Army's Women's Shelters.
The stories and testimonials of women who have benefited from women's shelters are truly inspiring. These women have found safety and support in their time of need and have been able to rebuild their lives after experiencing domestic violence and homelessness.
These success stories highlight the impact that women's shelters can have on the lives of women and families who need safe refuge. Through counseling, job training, childcare, and other services, women can rebuild their lives with a renewed sense of agency and independence.
Of course, the journey toward recovery is not always easy. Many women who access women's shelters may struggle with mental health issues because of trauma related to domestic violence and homelessness. However, through counseling and other forms of support, survivors of domestic violence can process their experiences in a safe space and develop coping strategies to help them move forward.
Extending a Helping Hand: How Your Donations and Volunteer Efforts Can Support Homeless Women Through The Salvation Army's Shelters
If you're eager to lend a helping hand to women in need within your community, consider reaching out to your local Salvation Army. The staff can provide you with information on the specific items or forms of support that are most needed now. Additionally, making a monetary donation to The Salvation Army is another important way to make a difference.
It's crucial to recognize that homelessness affects women in distinct ways, including a vulnerability to exploitation as well as physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. By supporting The Salvation Army's women's shelters, you become instrumental in creating a haven for women who have nowhere else to turn, including women fleeing domestic violence and others in need of shelter and support. Our women's shelters offer more than just a roof overhead. They provide a safe refuge, nourishing meals, counseling services, job training, and comprehensive support systems to help women rebuild their lives from the ground up.
Remember, a small act of kindness can have a significant impact. By making a monthly donation to The Salvation Army, you provide ongoing assistance to your neighbors who are in desperate need. Together, we can make a lasting difference and extend a helping hand to women who need it most.
Building a Brighter Future Together: Joining Forces to Create Safe Spaces for Homeless Women
The Salvation Army's women's shelters offer a lifeline for women experiencing domestic violence or intimate partner violence. We provide a safe and secure environment where women can access essential resources, including counseling, medical care, and legal assistance. Our shelter programs and services are vital in helping women heal from the trauma of domestic violence and rebuild their lives. The Salvation Army relies on donations from individuals like you to ensure that these services remain available for women in need.
If you are moved by survivors' testimonies and want to make a difference in the lives of women facing homelessness or intimate partner violence, consider supporting The Salvation Army's women's shelters. Let's work together to support the crucial role of women's shelters in helping women experiencing homelessness not only to survive domestic violence but also to heal and thrive.
volunteer_activism Serving All Without Discrimination
In providing programs and services to members of the community who are unhoused, The Salvation Army is committed to accommodating all those in need without unlawful discrimination or harassment based on age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic in accordance with our capacity to help.