The Salvation Army of Athens can now renovate its shelter with a $550,000 allocation from federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. This funding was a part of a proposal that Athens-Clarke County commissioners passed, with some controversy, on Jan. 2.
Dexter Fisher, John Culpepper, Ovita Thornton and Allison Wright submitted this commission-defined option (CDO) with the goal of reducing unsheltered homelessness during this winter season. The CDO states that the funds will be used to improve the Salvation Army’s facilities and operational costs, allowing room for more shelter beds to be built. It also suggests a monitor pay increase from $9 to $15 and case worker pay increase from $17 to $20.
ACC received the Salvation Army’s grant proposal back in August 2023. The mayor and commission is requesting a proposed contract with the organization now that the award has been approved. The contract, to be submitted as soon as possible, should include a detailed budget, a plan for sustaining efforts after funding runs out and another plan for promoting diversity and inclusivity in its programs.
According to Capt. Sheldon Greenland of the Athens Corps, the award will provide 20 additional beds for the Salvation Army’s Center for Hope emergency shelter off Hawthorne Avenue. The year-round shelter currently has 74 beds including 32 mens’ beds, four beds for male veterans, 26 women’s beds and two family units with six beds each.
In addition, the allocated funds will go toward fixing plumbing and electrical issues, repairing and replacing restroom fixtures, upgrading washers and dryers to longer-lasting commercial units, upgrading kitchen equipment for meal service and increasing wages for staff. Hiring new staff will become more feasible as well.
“Running a shelter is not cheap, as it costs just under $40,000 per month to operate. With these improvements, we can continue to fulfill our important role of monitoring and assisting all those who come to us for help,” Greenland said.
Greenland and his spouse, Capt. Nicole Greenland, who took over the Center of Hope in June 2022, believe the new improvements are an essential step in eradicating homelessness in Athens. Over the past year, 90 individuals have moved out of the shelter and into permanent housing, many with sustained success. This year, the Greenlands hope to surpass that figure while enabling all clients to reach their full potential. One way to do so is through the Pathway of Hope program, available to parents with at least one child under 18. With the aim of “moving families from crises and vulnerability to stability and eventually self-sufficiency,” the initiative provides families with a caseworker to develop a personalized action plan and to grow their strengths.
The recent onslaught of cold weather triggered the need for more reliable shelter. In the case of freezing weather conditions, ACCGov has developed the following series of tiered operations to aid community members:
• Tier 1: At temperatures of 35–40 degrees, service providers Bigger Vision and the Salvation Army will add 30 more beds, expanding overnight accommodations from 109 to 139.
• Tier 2: At single digit temperatures or in the event of capacity issues, shelter operations will commence at Athens First United Methodist Church downtown.
• Tier 3: Based on capacity, Twin Angels, churches, nonprofits and other community spaces will begin operating as shelters or provide other means of support including hotel vouchers.
• Tier 4: Activated based on a State of Emergency by the Georgia Governor, possible large-scale impacts to the community like power loss and ice and capacity of Tier 1–3 facilities, an ACC operated shelter that can sleep up to 75 people will be activated.
The Salvation Army of Athens Center for Hope is open seven days a week from 6 p.m.–8 a.m. It is located at 484 Hawthorne Ave. accessible by ACC Transit routes 5 and 7. Call 706-543-5350 or visit southernusa.salvationarmy.org/athens/provide-shelter for further assistance.
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