Elizabeth's Caldwell House
What is it and how can I get involved?
The Reality
The phone rings every day in The Salvation Army's Center of Hope shelter from homeless women and children desperate for a place to sleep at nightly. With the 224-bed Center of Hope shelter for women and children already operating beyond its capacity to house approximately 340 women and children, sometimes the shelter is forced to turn away people seeking refuge from the streets.
The Vision
In 2010, the congregation at Caldwell Presbyterian Church heard about the overflow at the Center of Hope shelter and had a vision for 6,000 square feet of unused space at the church. Vision became reality as committees were formed, funding was secured, and volunteers worked to make the empty space a welcoming home for homeless women. In the fall of 2010, Elizabeth's Caldwell House was opened, sheltering 50 women nightly.
Elizabeth's Caldwell House Today
18 months later, Elizabeth's Caldwell House is not only a place for women to sleep. With help from the congregation and community volunteers, women are guided as they get back on their feet and move into stable jobs and housing. The major focus of this program is Professional Development (computer skills, resume writing, interview skills), Wellness Education (community nurse-led programs on physical and emotional health), Self Confidence & Expression (dressing for success, community involvement, jewelry making, painting, poetry, etc.), and Community, Faith, & Belonging.
First, a day of Sabbath: Until now, the women who are sheltered at Elizabeth's Caldwell House have been taken back to the Center of Hope shelter by 8 a.m. each day to go to work, classes, or appointments. Now, thanks to a vision of giving a "Day of Sabbath" on Sunday, the women have the entire day to rest and recharge spiritually while staying on campus.
How You Can Help
Donate full size toiletry items, new pillows, flat sheets, blankets, and large plastic tubs. These items may be dropped of at the Center of Hope shelter, located at 534 Spratt Street, Charlotte, NC 28206. Please indicate that these are for the overflow shelter. For information, call at 704-348-2560 ext. 256 or email jaclyn.trail@uss.salvationarmy.org.
Caldwell Presbyterian Church also has opportunities to get involved with Elizabeth's Caldwell House. Volunteers can serve a hot meal for Sunday lunch, help teach personal and professional development classes on Monday nights, or teach a creative expression class on Tuesday nights. To volunteer to lead classes for the women, contact Rev. John Cleghorn at 704-957-4511 or email pastor@caldwellpresby.org. To volunteer to serve Sunday lunch, call call at 704-348-2560 ext. 256 or email jaclyn.trail@uss.salvationarmy.org.
To make a financial contribution, please make check out to The Salvation Army and mail to: P.O. Box 31128, Charlotte, NC, 28231. Put "Overflow Shelter" in memo line. For information, call 704-714-4725 or email gretchen.oakley@uss.salvationarmy.org.