For 134 years, The Salvation Army of Dane County has provided spiritual ministry, social services, and youth programs to thousands of residents - without discrimination. Today, we serve the community’s most vulnerable through a wide range of programs and comprehensive case management, all designed to improve life skills and circumstances with compassion and care.

Our Services Include:

• Emergency Family Shelter & Single Women’s Shelter
• Housing Programs (six programs plus a Diversion Program to prevent shelter entry)
• Supportive Health Services
• County-Wide Services

For additional assistance, call the United Way’s 211 service. Specialists can connect you with resources for bill assistance, housing, support groups, food pantries, community clinics, and more.

Emergency Family Shelter & Single Women’s Shelter

Family Shelter

Direct: (608) 250-2298

The Salvation Army offers a family shelter for up to 35 families experiencing homelessness. Family shelter operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with no time limit on length of stay. Guests are provided 3 meals a day and have access to showers and laundry facilities. Essential items are provided to each family, such as hygiene supplies, transportation, diapers, wipes, and formula for children. Families also have the opportunity to meet with case managers to help overcome the barriers to housing. The family shelter is typically full and has a waitlist.

Learn more about the Family Shelter

Women's Shelter

Direct: (608) 250-2226

The Salvation Army offers our community’s only emergency shelter for individuals identifying as women or non-male. The Salvation Army considers women’s shelters a temporary, emergency solution to homelessness. Women’s shelter operates as a nighttime-only shelter, 7 days a week, with no time limit on length of stay.  Shelter check-in hours are from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm nightly, and the shelter is open from 5 pm-7:30 am. Guests are provided 2 meals a day and a snack, and have access to showers and laundry facilities. Guests can also meet with case management staff to help overcome the barriers to housing.

Learn more about the Women's Shelter

Housing Programs

Coordinated Entry

In partnership with the Institute for Community Alliances, The Salvation Army offers Coordinated Entry services to all families and women who utilize The Salvation Army’s shelters. Coordinated Entry is a process developed to ensure that all people experiencing a housing crisis have fair and equal access to housing services and assistance. Through Coordinated Entry, households in need of assistance are quickly identified, assessed, referred, and connected to housing and assistance based on their strengths and needs. For more information on Coordinated Entry in our community: https://www.danecountyhomeless.org/coordinated-entry

Diversion

Direct: (608) 250-2200

The Salvation Army provides shelter diversion services, aimed to quickly house families and women who are experiencing homelessness to avoid the need to enter the Emergency Shelter. The Diversion Specialist works individually with families and women to identify solutions and alternative housing arrangements that quickly resolve the housing crisis through a combination of direct service and financial assistance.

This program does not include housing provided by The Salvation Army. Rather, our specialist will work with available options and resources to keep clients out of shelter.

Rehousing Into Supportive Environments (RISE)

Direct: (608) 250-2200

The Salvation Army partners with The Road Home and offers subsidized housing and intensive in-home case management services for families transitioning from homelessness to housing. Families must have at least one child under age 18.

This program does not include housing provided by The Salvation Army. Rather, our case management team will work with your landlord/leasing agency to keep you in your own home or find a more suitable place to live.

Dane County Assists With New Starts (DAWNS)

Direct: (608) 250-2200

Participants in the DAWNS program will be offered a rapid rehousing package. This consists of weekly case management sessions, a security deposit, and the first month's rental assistance. Additional rental assistance may be granted, but is approved on an individual basis. The program is barrier-free, and participants can move in with little or no income.

DAWNS Families: The Salvation Army offers move-in costs and intensive in-home case management for families transitioning from homelessness to housing. Families must have at least one child under age 18.

DAWNS Singles: The Salvation Army also offers move-in costs and intensive in-home case management for women who are transitioning from homelessness to housing.

This program does not include housing provided by The Salvation Army. Rather, our case management team will work with your landlord/leasing agency to keep you in your own home or find a more suitable place to live.

Rapid Rehousing Program

Direct: (608) 250-2200

In partnership with the YWCA, United Way, and The Road Home, The Salvation Army offers subsidized housing and case management for families transitioning from homelessness to housing. Families must have at least one child under age 18.

This program does not include housing provided by The Salvation Army. Rather, our case management team will work to keep you in your own home or find a more suitable place to live.

Hotels to Housing

The program strives to permanently house vulnerable individuals and families experiencing homelessness who have been staying in most Dane County-funded hotels during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pathway of Hope

General: (608) 256-2321

Referrals to this program are made by case managers. Please contact the main line for assistance.

This program is a strength-based, holistic approach that supports and enables struggling families to take action. Through job training, health services, childcare, education, housing options, and legal services, we build a network of support around those who need it most. Families must have at least one child under the age of 18.

Supportive Health Services

Medical Shelter

Direct: (608) 250-2242

The Salvation Army of Dane County Medical Shelter provides temporary housing (2–7 nights) for individuals or families experiencing homelessness who have acute medical conditions - such as infections, contagious illnesses, or post-surgery recovery - that prevent them from safely staying in a traditional nighttime shelter. Medical Shelter is not intended for chronic conditions.

Placement in Medical Shelter requires a referral from a healthcare provider or Public Health. Guests may also work with a Salvation Army case manager during their stay to connect with additional resources.

NOTE: If someone is awaiting Coronavirus (COVID-19) test results, has been in contact with someone known to have COVID-19 or is recovering from COVID-19, please do not refer for medical shelter.

MEDiC

Direct: (608)250-2298 

In collaboration with the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, The Salvation Army offers no-cost medical care and referrals to residents/clients every Tuesday evening.  

Telehealth Medical Services

Partnership with Nurse Disrupted to provide a no-cost 24/7 connection to a nurse via telehealth services for shelter guests located at both Family Shelter and Women’s Shelter.

County-Wide Services

Service Extension

The Salvation Army of Dane County partners with designated liaisons in outlying Dane County communities to bring emergency assistance to our neighbors in need. Types of assistance are varied and limited to available funds. Service Extension does not encompass City of Madison residents as alternate local resources are more accessible, varied, and abundant.