Salvation Army reopening Hagerstown shelter in time for cold spell
The Salvation Army plans to reopen its women's and children's shelter in Hagerstown's West End on Thursday after it has been closed for about three months, officials said.
The shelter is scheduled to reopen at 4 p.m. Thursday.
While it is a year-round emergency shelter, nonprofit officials have been working to get the shelter reopened and made an extra effort to do so before this weekend's cold spell, Major Donald Wilson said.
The National Weather Service is forecasting wind chills to reach around zero Friday into Saturday.
Preparing for frigid weekend:How cold could it get around Hagerstown this Friday, Saturday?
The Salvation Army shelter can sleep up to 37 people and serves women and children, accepting males younger than 18.
Because the shelter accepts children, their safety is a priority, said Heather Wincovitch, manager of community donor relations and development. Shelter residents cannot be inebriated or on illegal drugs.
People who need the shelter’s services can go to The Salvation Army’s administrative office at 525 George St. to be taken to the shelter.
Why was The Salvation Army shelter closed?
The shelter has been closed since the first week of November due to a staffing shortage as well as physical upgrades being made, officials said.
Like other employers, Salvation Army has struggled in the past three to four years to maintain staff, Wilson said.
The Salvation Army has made steps to increase its compensation package but, being a nonprofit, it doesn’t have the funds to compete with some employers’ offers, officials said.
Wilson said the organization is hoping to get more donations and staff. Anyone interested in applying for employment or as a volunteer can contact Wincovitch at 301-733-2440, ext. 4, or email heather.wincovitch@uss.salvationarmy.org.
Working with the homeless at the shelter is a difficult job that can be heart-wrenching and rewarding, Wincovitch said.
Shelter clientele can have a lot of trauma in their lives, so shelter workers need to display firmness and compassion, Wilson said.
Shelter residents are provided food they can cook in the kitchen and staff can help them learn to cook if needed, Wincovitch said. They also are provided clothing if needed and financial assistance, if available.
The Army’s Pathway of Hope program can assist families looking to get out of the circle of homelessness or poverty. That includes helping them find a place to live and resources for employment, Wincovitch said.
“Everybody has a story,” Wincovitch said. “You can help them, you can talk to them.”
Physical upgrades made to Hagerstown shelter
WIth the shelter closed, the nonprofit tackled some needed upgrades to the old building, Wilson said.
Those included replacing flooring and carpeting as well as adding an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant restroom for guests who couldn't make it up the stairs to the older restroom, Wincovitch said.
The shelter's bathroom reopened this week, helping the shelter to reopen, Wilson said.
On Wednesday, roof repairs were being finished, he said.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: The Salvation Army plans to reopen its Hagerstown shelter Thursday
