Earlier this week, we highlighted our partnership with the Salvation Army and the blessings that their weekly meals bring to our shelter and our guests. Today, we want to underscore how this partnership has grown and evolved, touching more aspects of our guests’ lives. We are so grateful for our partnership and collaborations across our community. It is the work we do together that makes a significant and lasting impact on the lives of our guests, and your contribution is a vital part of this.

Warmth in Winter, Cool in the Summer

One of the most impactful yet essential ways that the Salvation Army supports Nest’s guest is through their free clothing room. Very often, when one finds oneself unhoused, this situation can come without warning. Additionally, it isn’t easy to fully clothe oneself in the elements without a safe, dry place to store clothing, shoes, and other needed items. In Northwest Indiana, our weather can shift drastically, sometimes leaving Nest’s guests without warm clothes in the cold months and cooler clothes in the blistering summer sun. This is where the Salvation Army’s free clothing room can genuinely mean the difference between life and death for Nest’s guests as they dress for the elements. The beauty of this clothing room is that all of the pieces are entirely free to Nest guests, leaving the guests to choose what they need and what they like.

Empowerment Through Education

A warm meal and proper clothing are essential, but The Salvation Army understands that true empowerment comes through knowledge and skills. They’ve opened their doors to our guests, offering access to additional support services, including classes to overcome poverty.  These educational opportunities, through The Bridges Program, provide our guests with tools to build a brighter future, whether it’s through job skills training, financial literacy, or personal development courses.

A Welcoming Space

Sometimes, the simplest gestures can mean the world. The Salvation Army has extended an open invitation to our shelter guests, welcoming them to enjoy a free cup of coffee or glass of water at their facility during the day. This offer goes beyond just providing a warm beverage—it’s about creating a space where our guests feel welcomed, valued, and part of the broader community. During the day, Nest Community Shelter does not welcome guests. Guests leave the shelter for their day by 7 am, and our doors do not open to welcome guests back until the evening. This time allows us to clean and sanitize the shelter, bedding, and common areas. The welcome of the Salvation Army allows our guests to have somewhere to sit and rest, study, read, or a quiet place to collect their thoughts during the day and come out of the elements.

The Power of Support

The Salvation Army’s multifaceted approach addresses not just immediate needs like food and clothing but also long-term goals through education and community inclusion. This expanded partnership demonstrates the power of our community organizations working together. By combining our resources and expertise, we’re able to provide a more robust support system for those in need. The Salvation Army’s commitment to our shelter guests extends far beyond the weekly meal and clothing; they’re touching lives in meaningful and lasting ways.

To our friends at The Salvation Army: Your continued support and expanding services are making a profound difference. You’re not just helping to meet immediate needs; you’re providing hope, dignity, and pathways to a better future.

We at  Nest Community Shelter are incredibly grateful for this deepening partnership. Together, we’re creating a stronger safety net for our community’s most vulnerable members, proving that when we join forces, we can achieve so much more than we ever could alone.

As we move forward, we’re excited to see how this partnership will continue to grow and evolve, always with the goal of better serving those who need it most in our community.

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