MISSION STATEMENT
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian
Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission
is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
HOW WE MEET LOCAL NEEDS
Assess the Need
FIRST, we assess the needs of each community in which we serve. We work to understand the obstacles, hardships, and challenges native to the area’s particular population.
Build the Programs
NEXT, we build local programs designed to offer immediate relief, short-term care, and long-term growth in the areas that will best benefit the community.
Invest in the Community
THEN, we offer the local programs to the local community, working to continually optimize their efficacy via spiritual, physical, and emotional service.
Shelter for the homeless, food for the hungry, and clothing for the poor provided with care and compassion is what The Salvation Army does best. We believe that lives can be changed for the better and we minister tirelessly to that end. Learn more about our homeless and social services here.
Towers Center of Hope
At the Towers Center of Hope we provide housing for single women and families, and transitional housing for men. We seek to provide a safe and stabilizing environment to help get people back on their feet. Both shelters are located in our Social Services building at 900 W. Adams Street in downtown Jacksonville.
Seeking Shelter?
Call our social services office at 904-356-8641 for information on availability and rates. Our friendly staff will be happy to help you.
Our shelter is located at:
900 West Adams St
Jacksonville, FL 32204
Towers Center of Hope housing for men
We are pleased to offer a newly renovated housing facility at our 900 W. Adams Street location in downtown Jacksonville. The entire second floor of the facility has been completely renovated for a new purpose: providing housing for men seeking a fresh start after homelessness, addiction recovery, and for young men aging out of the foster care system. Each of these populations often encounters limited options for housing as they seek to become self-sufficient, and tend to be vulnerable to the cycle of homelessness and addiction. The new Towers Center of Hope could be considered an example of the “housing first” philosophy, which advocates for establishing a stable and affordable housing situation for those on their way out of homelessness or recovery. This gives them a critical opportunity to save money and get securely back on their feet. The Salvation Army’s Towers Center of Hope will also provide residents access to additional tools to make improvements in their lives to increase their odds of success, such as the on-site availability of case managers, and including hot meals and all utilities in the already low cost of living at the facility.
Monthly Fees for Single Men:
- Dorm Room, Shared Bathroom: 375.00
- Semi-Private Room, Shared Bathroom: 475.00
- Private Room, Shared Bathroom: 550.00
- Private Room, Private Bathroom: 600.00
Red Shield Lodge shelter for single women and families
Families who have shelter needs can remain together while receiving short or long-term shelter care at the Red Shield Lodge. Families can stay at the shelter for a month at no charge. After a month, fees are based on income, and three meals per day are included. Single women can stay at the shelter for up to eight nights at no charge. The cost after eight nights is $10 per day and includes three meals per day. Integrated case management services are provided to assist with life skills, referral service assistance, job preparation and placement, advocacy, and housing.
Pathway of Hope Program
The Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope initiative provides individualized services to families with children who desire to take action to break the cycle of crisis and vulnerability that repeats generation after generation. It seeks to address the root causes of poverty in addition to The Army’s history of compassionate serving. By helping families overcome challenges like unemployment, unstable housing, and lack of education, we can lead families down a path toward increased stability and, ultimately, self-sufficiency.
For more information about the facility or to find out about our rates and available rooms, please contact: The Salvation Army Social Services Center at 904-356-8641
Meal Ministry and Food Pantry
*The Towers Center of Hope Food Pantry will be closed from Monday, March 15th to Friday, March 19th due to warehouse renovations that share the building with the food pantry.*
Volunteering for our Meal Ministry is highly rewarding, and we welcome individuals and groups of any size to join us in serving.
Meal Ministry
900 W. Adams Street, Downtown Jacksonville
Dinner for unsheltered homeless persons and the working poor occurs every night of the year at 6pm, and on Sunday mornings at 8:30am in the dining room of the Towers Center of Hope at 900 W. Adams Street in Downtown Jacksonville. The line forms at 5:30pm at the gate on the Davis Street side of the building.
Our Meal Ministry is staffed through volunteers from churches, civic groups, local businesses, families and individuals who want to give back to the community. We'd love to have your help!
“I’m so thankful for the good, nutritious staples they give me – it’s food I can actually use to feed my family.” - Ms. Turner, a client at our Food Pantry
Food Pantry
140 N. Davis Street, Downtown Jacksonville
Our food pantry provides about 250 income-eligible households per week with supplemental groceries. It operates out of the warehouse of our Social Services building at 140 N. Davis Street in downtown Jacksonville (adjacent to the Towers Center of Hope), and is open Monday through Friday from 9am - noon, subject to food supply.
What to bring the first time you seek food pantry assistance:
To receive assistance you must have one item from each category. Identity must be proven for all members of the household (a household includes all those living in the house, even if you are not related. If you are living together, you must apply for food assistance as one household).
Required by all:
- Picture ID for all adults in household
- Birth certificates for all children
- Verification of all household income (wages, AFDC, Social Security benefits, SSI or SSDI,
- unemployment benefits, child support, etc.)
- Proof of residency (lease or deed)
- Verification of all household expenses (utilities bill, car note, medication receipts, etc.)
Required if applicable:
- Food Stamp benefit statement
- If you are living with family/friends and you are not on the lease, you must present a letter from the person on the lease that states they allow you to live with them (include the address) and bring the lease with their name on it.
Other Services
At The Salvation Army, our greatest hope for each of our clients is to see them succeed. To that end, we provide personalized life skills assistance to the residents of our shelters.
Life Skills Assistance
This program helps our shelter residents get back on their feet with job preparation and placement, budgeting, transitional housing, debt relief counseling and educational programs. Each training program is tailored to the person’s individual needs and comprehensive case-management services are provided.
Rent and Utility Assistance
When funds are available, we provide help to assist individuals in financial crises. To inquire about fund availability, call our Social Services office at 904-356-8641.
Thanksgiving Food Bags
No Thanksgiving would be complete without a special meal. We provide enough food for a complete holiday meal, including a whole chicken or turkey and assorted canned and dry goods to income-eligible families.
Angel Tree / Toy Shop
When families struggle to make ends meet, Christmas can place a burden on parents who can't afford presents for their kids. Our Angel Tree program provides toys, clothing and stockings for children up to twelve years of age at Christmas. Gifts are donated by local individuals, families, churches and other organizations at “Angel Trees” throughout the community and distributed at the Toy Shop shortly before Christmas.
Camp Keystone
Each summer, at-risk children from low-income families in the community enjoy a week-long, overnight camping experience at beautiful Camp Keystone in Keystone Heights, Florida. It's a fun-filled week of play, rest, and spiritual enrichment.
Disaster Services
Click here to learn more about how we mobilize our canteens in a disaster.
The Salvation Army of NE FL Event Listing & Registration
Welcome to the The Salvation Army of NE FL Community Event Registration & Volunteer Information System (CERVIS). Thank you for your desire to serve as part of the The Salvation Army of NE FL team. To learn more about our events or to begin the registration process, click on the event registration button below. We look forward to serving with you!
Northeast Florida Area Command
Majors Keath and Candice Biggers
328 North Ocean Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 301-4800
Administrative offices
328 N. Ocean St.
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 301-4875
Towers Center of Hope Homeless / Social Services
Director: Julia Gordie
900 W. Adams Street
Jacksonville, FL 32204
(904) 356-8641
Jacksonville Citadel Corps
900 W. Adams Street
Jacksonville, FL 32204
Phone
(904) 366-9222
Clay County Corps
2795 CR 220
Middleburg, Florida 32068
Phone
(904) 276-6677
St. Augustine Corps
1425 Old Dixie Highway
Saint Augustine, FL 32084
Phone
(904) 824-6956
Nassau County Hope House
410 South 9th Street
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Phone
(904) 321-0435
The Salvation Army's Ninth Annual Red Shield Ball is the place to be to make a real difference in the lives of the women and families who call our Red Shield Lodge home. This elegant, gala-style fundraiser includes dinner, live music, dancing, live and silent auctions, all to support the life-changing work that takes place at the Red Shield Lodge shelter.
The Salvation Army is known for good stewardship of resources: 82 cents of every dollar given to The Salvation Army goes directly to support our programs, and donations stay right here in the Northeast Florida community.
Jacksonville relief efforts as of 5/19:
Since March 25, 2020 The Salvation Army located in Jacksonville, FL has provided shelter for up to 96 individuals on any given night, 927 food boxes through our Food Pantry, 1979 community lunches and 2719 community dinners for a total of 4,698 community meals, and provided 829 hygiene kits to community members in need of basic toiletries. In addition, we served 382 meals to first responders doing COVID testing between 4/30/20 and 5/12/20. We also provide three meals per day to our shelter residents which totaled 6,922 since March 25th.
Salvation Army offers new services to help local families during covid-19 pandemic
Salvation Army adds new lunch service due to coronavirus hardships
Coronavirus pandemic: The Salvation Army provides meals for families in need in Jacksonville
THIS YEAR, WE’RE CELEBRATING 130 YEARS OF DOING GOOD IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA
Happy birthday to The Salvation Army! A look back over our 155 years.
2021 marks the 155th anniversary of The Salvation Army and the 130th anniversary of The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida. In 1865, William and Catherine Booth founded The Salvation Army in London, England and the good work of the Army has existed ever since. In 1891, The Salvation Army began serving the people of Northeast Florida. Since that time, we have been providing food, clothing, shelter and countless services to assist those in need.
The Northeast Florida Area Command includes social service operations in Jacksonville, the Citadel Corps (church), as well as corps in St Augustine and Clay County, the Nassau County Hope House, and assistance programs in Baker and Putnam counties. In Jacksonville The Salvation Army’s Towers Center of Hope includes a shelter for women and families, low-cost housing for men, a community food pantry serving 1,000 households each month, and a meal ministry that serves a hot meal to the hungry every night of the year. In 1924, The Salvation Army started the Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) for men struggling with addictions such as alcoholism and drug abuse.
As we look back over our years of service, especially 2020, one of the most unique and challenging years in our history, we feel a great appreciation for our devoted supporters who have lead our Area Command through many valleys and peaks.
“A salvation that does not lead to service is no salvation at all.”
Catherine Booth, co-founder of The Salvation Army
Let me tell you a story of faith, adventure, sacrifice, foreign lands and languages, self-discovery and the birth of something new. It is a story of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. It is the story of The Salvation Army.
But where did this all begin? The Salvation Army has always been there. Even in our grandparents’ and great grandparents’ time, The Salvation Army was there. Born in the rough streets of the east of London, England in the 1860s (yes, the 1860s), its founders were William and Catherine Booth and a small dedicated following of Christians who were concerned about the spiritual life of the poor in east London.
William Booth was a naturally gifted individual. At the age of 16, he converted to Christianity and began his street preaching career. By the age of 22, he had been given the opportunity to be a freelance evangelist and became a well-known preacher within the Methodist movement.
Catherine Booth (maiden name Mumford) was also gifted with a brilliant, analytical mind and by the age of 12, had read through the entire Bible eight times! In 1851, she met young evangelist William Booth. They began writing to each other as William accepted a position as a circuit preacher. In an age before Snapchat or FaceTime, letters were their only way to communicate.
Catherine and William finally married in 1855 and began their family that would include eight children in total.
THE BEGINNINGS OF AN ARMY
Booth family then moved to London, and William was often invited to speak at various church services. One evening, he was passing by a local pub called “The Blind Beggar” where a group of Christians were speaking to the crowd. After noticing William, the leader asked him to speak; by the end of the night, the Christians asked if he would like to speak regularly at their tent meetings—William would gladly accept.
Finally, in 1865, it was decided that this group should formally organize. So, in July, the East London Christian Mission was begun. William Booth was selected as the group’s General Superintendent, and the organization was run by committee.
Okay, but how did The East London Christian Mission become The Salvation Army?
By 1868, the Mission had spread to many locations around Britain. So, the group changed its name to just The Christian Mission. Its local leaders were called “evangelists,” and were given specific instructions regarding dress, deportment and helpful tips about leading a local mission. Some of the evangelists were women, and their assistants were often young, recently converted teenagers.
Bramwell Booth and George Scott Railton (the Mission’s secretary) were reviewing the annual report when the title page said, “The Christian Mission is a Volunteer Army.” Bramwell argued that he was no volunteer but a “regular.” William Booth strode over to the table, crossed out the word “volunteer” and wrote “salvation.” The Christian Mission was now a Salvation Army.
At the War Congress of 1878, Booth announced that evangelists would now be called Captains, and their assistants would be Lieutenants. He was now the General, and more instructions would follow. The Christian Mission Magazine was renamed to The War Cry. Ranks and uniforms would all eventually evolve as the group exploded with growth, not only in Britain, but all over the world.
FROM LONDON TO THE WORLD
It was a 16-year-old Lieutenant named Eliza Shirley that would bring the newly-named Salvation Army to America. She had been accepted as an assistant just after the name change and was commissioned as a Lieutenant. At times, the only thing she had to eat were nearly inedible crackers that had been stored in an old kerosene tin. When her parents decided to immigrate to America in 1879, Eliza sought permission to accompany them and to begin preaching in America.
General Booth was not happy with this decision. He thought that she should remain in Britain as an officer, and also, he was not ready to expand the work into America. However, Eliza pleaded with him, and the General relented, giving her verbal permission to go and to “start something along the lines” of The Salvation Army.
One year later, The Salvation Army sent its first “official” delegation. Consisting of George Scott Railton and seven ladies (since dubbed the Hallelujah lassies), they arrived in New York with little public fanfare. Within days, the early Salvation Army had issues. America was vastly different than Britain. Rules and laws were different—but Railton persisted. In 1881, he launched the American version of The War Cry.
The Salvation Army experienced tremendous growth in America and all over the globe. Officers, as ordained ministers, and Salvationists as members of The Salvation Army, were sent out to neighboring towns to “start something.” Often, they only arrived in town carrying a suitcase and the Army flag.
Catherine Booth passed away in October of 1890 and that same year William Booth wrote “In Darkest England and the Way Out.” An international bestseller, Booth laid out his ideas for reforming society and elevating the poor of the urban cities.
Then in 1904, one of the most celebrated, flamboyant and misunderstood leaders arrived in New York. She had been involved with Salvation Army ministry since the age of 15. When her sister, Emma Booth-Tucker, was tragically killed in a train accident, the General sent her to take command. Evangeline Booth would serve as the National Commander in America for the next 30 years. While she was serving as National Commander, her father, William Booth, co-founder and first General of The Salvation Army, passed away in 1912. Under Evangeline’s command (including during WWI), The Salvation Army continued to preach the Gospel message and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
20TH CENTURY AND BEYOND
In most communities, The Salvation Army is a leader of social outreach and assistance to families. George Barna, founder of The Barna Group, called The Salvation Army “the most effective organization.” Today, The Salvation Army is active in 131 countries around the world. The Gospel is still being preached, the poor are still being helped, children are being fed, the alcoholic is being treated and social reform continues to be a priority.
The work of The Salvation Army has and is taking on many different forms and reaching millions of people. Halfway houses, Adult Rehabilitation Centers (ARCs), schools, hospitals, children’s homes, Boys & Girls Clubs—all this and so much more. Every single ministry was and is born from the desire to be God’s hands and feet so that, as physical needs were being met, the Gospel could be shared.
Each Christmas, The Salvation Army assists with providing food boxes along with clothing and Angel Tree gifts for families, as well as raising money through its annual Red Kettle Campaign, which funds community and social service programs like rental or utility assistance throughout the year. This Christmas, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Salvation Army is anticipating an exponential increase in need. With that need in mind, and the understanding that the pandemic will restrict in-person kettle efforts, The Salvation Army has launched #RescueChristmas in an effort to engage volunteers and raise funds to continue said services this Christmas and throughout 2021.
Even through recent world-changing events, The Salvation Army continues its primary mission and ministry. Each Sunday, the doors are flung open, and the whom-so-ever can come and worship, and Salvationists of every nation can sing with gladness and joy:
I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today!
…you ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart!
SALVATION ARMY GLOSSARY
- Corps: A Salvation Army church established for the preaching of the gospel, worship, teaching and fellowship and to provide Christian-motivated service in the community.
- Corps Cadet: a young Salvationist between 7th grade and age 24 who undertakes a Bible-based course of discipleship and leadership in a corps.
- General: The officer elected to the supreme command of the Army throughout the world.
- Officer: ordained minister of the Christian faith
- Salvationist: A person of any age, uniform-wearing or not, who attends The Salvation Army and claims it as their spiritual home.
- Uniforms: labels Salvationists anywhere as set apart for Jesus, marked as one eager to pray with and to help others.
- War Cry: a monthly magazine devoted to sharing the love of God without discrimination and representing The Salvation Army’s mission of serving human need.
ANGEL TREE PROGRAM
Every child deserves a special Thanksgiving and Christmas, but in reality, millions of children in America will go without Christmas gifts because their parents can't afford them. Financial and emotional stress dampen the Christmas cheer of families living in poverty.
GIVE JOY:
The Salvation Army helps put new clothes and toys under the tree for 1 million children across the United States who usually have to go without Christmas gifts. Anonymous donors adopt these little “angels” in an expanding Christmas tradition that makes the season brighter for both the gift giver and receiver.
If you or your group (organization, club, church, business) would like to sponsor an Angel Tree or adopt an Angel in your community, please contact 904-356-8641.
GIVE TIME:
The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida needs volunteers to help distribute the gifts along with food for holiday meals to the participating families. Often times, employees and family members of the sponsoring organization help distribute their group’s gifts throughout their community. Community volunteer and service groups; church groups and retired senior volunteer programs often aid The Salvation Army during the holidays and throughout the year, but more volunteers are always needed.
There are several ways you can make the holidays brighter for local children and families:
- Conduct a Thanksgiving food drive
- Fill holiday stockings
- Host an Angel Tree
- Hold a clothing or toy drive
If you or your group (organization, club, church, business) would like to volunteer in our holiday programs, please fill out our online participation form by clicking the button below.
For questions about volunteering, please contact our Social Services Volunteer Recruiter, at (904) 443-9443 or flajax.holiday@uss.salvationarmy.org.
DO YOU NEED HELP THIS YEAR PROVIDING YOUR CHILDREN WITH GIFTS?
The Salvation Army of Jacksonville will be accepting applications for Thanksgiving and Christmas assistance for children 12 and under for Duval County residents. Applications will be conducted in-person, and families must provide documentation about their household to qualify for assistance.
Applicants must upload the following eligibility documents in the online application process:
- Picture I.D. for all adults in the household.
- Social security cards for all household members (including adults).
- Birth certificates for all children, or legal proof of custody.
- Proof of income: pay stubs, SSI/SSDI award letter, TANF, SNAP, EBT, child support, and/or verification of current unemployment benefits.
- Proof of residency: lease, deed, mail with address, or mortgage statement. If you are living with family/friends and you are not on the lease, you must still meet the qualifying income criteria, and present a notarized letter from the person on the lease that states the named individuals living with them (include address and rent charged, if any).
Thanksgiving assistance includes groceries for a typical Thanksgiving meal based on family size, which will be distributed on Tuesday, November 22nd at The Salvation Army’s food pantry at 900 W. Adams St. from 9am - 2pm.
Christmas assistance includes at least one new toy, one new outfit, and one stocking for children ages 12 years and younger of qualifying families participating in our Angel Tree program. Angel Tree gift bags will be distributed by appointment December 15th.
Applicants may apply for Thanksgiving assistance by Oct. 11th, Angel Tree program assistance by Oct 7th, or both.
Clay County Angel Tree Applications
Assistance offered: Angel Tree for children 12 and younger
When: Apply on from October 4th to October 22nd
Where: Visit this webpage on October 4th
Contact: Jennifer Wheeler 904-276-6677
St. Johns County Angel Tree Applications
Assistance offered: Angel Tree for children 12 and under and Thanksgiving
When: October 3rd - 7th.
Where: Call 904-824-6956 to make an appointment for in-person applications at 1425 Old Dixie Highway, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Questions: Judith Gaston 904-824-6956
The Salvation Army of Florida’s EDS Response for Hurricane Ian’s Impact
Disaster Services, News, TampaCatastrophic landfall conditions make community support vital Tampa, Florida (September 28, 2022) — The Salvation Army of Florida, Emergency Disaster Services Department has prepared resources and personnel to meet the immediate needs of survivors and first responders before, during and after Hurricane Ian’s catastrophic landfall in Florida. Ian comes just days after Hurricane Fiona ravaged […]