Open Hearts and Open Doors: an Inside Look at How the Salvation Army Madison Corps Fights Homelessness
We all need a place to call home. Thankfully, most of us have a place we can feel safe and comfortable, a place to rest after a long day of work or school. For others, the truth is much grimmer. Right now, there are over 5,000 homeless Hoosiers across the state.
Indiana is known for having unpredictable winter weather. In November 2019, temperatures in Madison dropped to the teens, not entirely uncommon for the winter season, but a harsh reality for those who have no place to stay warm on long, cold winter nights.
The Salvation Army Madison Corps serves hundreds of people in its community, and over the past few years has partnered with local city officials to operate an emergency warming center for those in need.
While there is no official city shelter in Madison, The Salvation Army has stepped up to help the homeless in the community stay warm.
“We are currently working with the mayor and other local agencies to find volunteers to help run the emergency warming centers,” says Lt. Justin Hartley. “We are running the center on a transitional basis until we can find a permanent solution.” He also notes that trained volunteers are crucial to keeping the warming center in operation.
The Salvation Army warming center is open from 7pm – 7am every day that the temperature falls below 32 degrees by 5:00pm. Dinner is provided to anyone who is staying in the warming center.
"We want to take care of our neighbors,” says Lt. Stephanie Hartley. The Salvation Army Madison Corps also collects coats, hats, gloves, and winter clothing to distribute in the shelter to help keep people warm during daytime hours if they are out in the elements."
In addition to the emergency warming shelter, the Madison Corps Community Center also offers a feeding program Monday through Friday. “We want to make sure that no one goes hungry. There is breakfast and lunch available, and anyone is welcome to just walk in and have a meal,” shares Lt. Stephanie.
The Salvation Army offers many other types of activities and services to the community. During the 2019 holiday season, 284 children in Madison with Christmas gifts through the Angel Tree program and over 60 seniors received holiday meal baskets. Other services and programs include rent/utility assistance, clothing vouchers for The Salvation Army Thrift Store, and various youth and family activities offered at the Corps Community Center. To get more information about The Salvation Army Madison, visit www.samadison.org