Women’s Shelters

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Homelessness or a sudden crisis can happen to anyone. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 2024 report, women and girls make up 39.2% of people experiencing homelessness, with many turning to women’s shelters and other resources for safety and support.

When a woman is facing an unsafe situation or doesn’t know where she’ll sleep, even a few hours in a safe place can make all the difference. That’s why The Salvation Army’s women’s shelters offer more than just a bed. We provide a caring environment and the comprehensive support women and their children need to begin rebuilding their lives.

Across the country, our programs meet people where they are. The Austin (Texas) Shelter for Women and Children (ASWC), for example, offers wraparound services and has become one of our highest-performing programs since opening in 2001. And in Los Angeles, the Westwood Transitional Village provides long-term housing solutions for about 150 residents, including single mothers, helping them move toward lasting stability.

How Our Women’s Shelters Help

While specific programs vary by location, our shelters provide immediate access to basic needs alongside longer-term support services that help women regain their independence.

Emergency Shelter & Basic Needs

Emergency shelters are the foundation of our programs. Emergency shelters play a critical role in helping people find safety and stability. We provide a secure, welcoming place where anyone can stay temporarily. When someone stays with us, they can expect:

  • Overnight emergency accommodations and safe housing

  • Warm, nutritious meals

  • Clean showers and hygiene essentials

  • Clothing assistance

Case Management & Counseling

No one has to face this alone. Depending on the location, residents can work closely with compassionate staff who help them create personalized plans for long-term stability. Our support includes:

  • Personalized case management to overcome barriers to housing 

  • Mental health referrals and individual counseling 

  • Trauma-informed care and support groups 

  • Assistance with navigating and accessing public benefits 

The Roanoke Corps Turning Point in Virginia is a great example of a women’s shelter that provides holistic services for unhoused women and their families through our Pathway of Hope program.

Employment & Job Readiness

Achieving stable housing often requires stable employment. Many of our locations help residents prepare for the workforce by offering:

  • Job placement assistance 

  • GED certification programs 

  • Employment counseling and workforce readiness training 

At Salvation Army programs such as the Harbor Light Complex in Cleveland, women in residential shelter programs receive GED support, vocational training, employment counseling, and assistance securing jobs as part of their transition to independent living. In addition, this location offers a Community Corrections program for women.

Health Services & Community Referrals

We want to ensure residents stay healthy and supported. While we don't typically operate full medical clinics inside the shelters, at some locations, like the Cascade Women’s and Children’s Domestic Violence Centers in the Pacific Northwest, we provide immediate assistance and help connect you with:

  • Immediate medical attention for injuries 

  • Referrals to local healthcare clinics 

  • Connections to community food pantries and utility assistance 

  • Legal aid and transportation services 

Services for Mothers & Children

Many of our shelters, including the West Women’s and Children’s Center in Portland - serve mothers with children and provide services designed to support the whole family during times of crisis. Depending on the location, this can include:

  • Safe on-site childcare services 

  • Early childhood programming 

  • Children’s development programs 

  • Therapeutic preschool services 

Specialized Care for Survivors of Domestic Violence

If you are someone is escaping an unsafe environment, your their safety is our top priority. Our domestic violence programs offer completely confidential emergency and transitional shelters. To help families heal and move forward safely, these specialized programs provide:

  • Safety planning and court advocacy 

  • Counseling and trauma support 

  • Parenting classes and educational support 

  • Housing placement services 

  • Longer-term transitional housing (with some programs allowing stays of up to 120 days) 

In Seattle, the Salvation Army DV Community Advocacy Program (CAP) offers confidential services to all-gender adult survivors of domestic violence such as safety planning, help with basic needs, financial assistance, information and referral to community resources, domestic violence education, and legal advocacy. The program also offers culturally appropriate services and support for diverse populations.

Meanwhile, the Hickman House - also in Seattle - is a fully furnished, ten-unit apartment complex offering transitional housing to all-gender adult survivors of domestic violence with children. It accommodates high-needs survivor families with significant rental and other barriers to stability.

Anti-Human Trafficking Support

The Salvation Army provides support for survivors of human trafficking through safe housing environments like the Jones Family Residence in Houston, where residents can access services designed to support recovery and independence, including:

  • case management and counseling to address trauma and stabilize living situations

  • job skills training, employment support, and workforce readiness

  • life-skills classes such as financial literacy, parenting, and health education

  • computer instruction and educational support to improve long-term outcomes 

A Safe Place to Land

Homelessness or a sudden crisis can happen to anyone. At The Salvation Army, our women’s shelters offer much more than just a bed. We provide the comprehensive support needed to help women and their families find stability and hope.

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 the impact of traumatic experiences and 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 and healing strategies to help them move forward.

Why Supporting Women’s Shelters Creates Long-Term Impact

Supporting women’s shelters is one of the most effective ways to help individuals move from crisis to stability.

The Salvation Army’s women’s shelter services are designed to address both immediate needs and long-term recovery, helping women heal from trauma and regain independence.

 

How You Can Help Women Experiencing Homelessness and Crisis

If you’re wondering how to help women experiencing homelessness or domestic violence, there are a few simple ways to make a real impact through The Salvation Army.

You can:

Even a small, consistent contribution like a monthly donation can provide ongoing stability for someone who needs it most.

 

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long can I stay in a women’s shelter?
A: There is no universal rule because every person’s situation is different. Some emergency shelters operate night-by-night without a fixed maximum stay, while certain programs, such as our domestic violence shelters, offer temporary stays of up to 120 days.

 

Q: What is required for admission to the Salvation Army Women's Shelter?

A: Anyone who meets the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development criteria for homelessness is eligible for assistance from our women's shelters. 

    

Q: Are the shelters open 24 hours a day?
A: Some shelters operate 24 hours a day. For example, the West Women’s and Children’s Shelter in Portland operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, other locations operate overnight programs with specific check-in hours. We always recommend contacting your local shelter to confirm their exact intake times.

 

Q: Do you support pregnant women?
A: Yes, many of our shelter programs serve pregnant women and parents with children. The West Women’s and Children’s Shelter, for example, provides specific prenatal support to ensure a safe environment for expecting mothers.

 

Q: Do you offer services for non-English speakers or have computer labs?
A: Because The Salvation Army operates locally, these services vary widely. Some residential programs offer computer access to help apply for jobs, but dedicated computer labs and bilingual interpretation services are not consistently available at every location. Please call your local center to verify.

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