For over 120 years, The Salvation Army has been a cornerstone of hope and support in Jefferson City, offering a lifeline to individuals and families in need. For years, our Center of Hope shelter has been a safe haven for individuals and families facing homelessness, offering not just a place to stay, but also a path forward. Today, we are at a pivotal moment. The building that has supported so many over the years is aging, and the needs of our community are growing. The Hope Lives Here campaign will renovate and expand The Salvation Army’s Center of Hope, creating more space and support for people facing homelessness.

“Hope Lives Here”—but in order for it to continue, we must renew and expand our services to meet the changing landscape of homelessness in Jefferson City and beyond.

Thank you! Our community has contributed $3.5 million (54%) of the $6.5 million goal. Hope Lives Here – let’s make room for more.

The Vision

We are committed to reimagining how we serve our neighbors. Through the renovation of our Center of Hope, we will address the critical needs of today while building a foundation for tomorrow. With your support, we will create:

Additional family rooms, each with its own bathroom: As more and more homeless families with child return to us for safe shelter, this expansion will allow us to provide dignity and privacy to those in need. Increased capacity for single men and women: Adding 20 new beds will ensure that we can provide shelter to more individuals, increasing our ability to provide over 18,615 nights of lodging annually. A new client-choice pantry: Serving over 100 families per month, this pantry will empower individuals and families with the dignity of choice in how they feed their families, following industry best practices. Don’t forget the pets! Two out of three food pantry clients receive assistance with dog or cat food as well. We found that some clients were making food choices based on planning to share with their pets. Expanded case management areas: Providing staff with the space to privately work closely with families, offering personalized guidance and resources to help them transition out of homelessness. Dedicated space for play and family therapy: With an increased capacity for children at the Center of Hope, this space will support families as they work through trauma and build stronger, healthier relationships. Last year, 23 children were housed in our shelter, making our facility a popular bus stop on hectic school mornings. A quiet room and study area for school-aged residents: Helping children and adults alike achieve educational success, this area will support those who need access to technology and a quiet space for study. During their stay with us, school-aged children in our shelter are encouraged and rewarded for their academic efforts. Additionally, 100 children received back-to-school supplies and new shoes. Partnerships with organizations like the Diaper Bank: We partner with the Diaper Bank to provide essential supplies to parents in need, ensuring that babies in our community have access to clean diapers. Safe housing for expectant mothers: Multiple babies have been born into homelessness, calling our shelter their first home.

Join us in Making this Vision a Reality

The need is urgent, and the time to act is now! The cost for the new Center of Hope project is $6.5 million. This total includes a $1.9 million operational endowment to ensure the long-term sustainability of the building and its programs.

We invite you to join us in this critical and transformative effort. To reach this goal, pledges and contributions made over a three-to-five-year period will be solicited. A variety of naming opportunities are available.

There are multiple ways you can contribute to this important initiative. This is your opportunity to make a difference.