2027 Executive Budget Proposes $2.1M for Salvation Army Shelter Expansion

Michael Myers, a former chef with over three decades of experience, now serves as the cook at the Salvation Army’s shelter for women on East Washington Avenue in Madison, Wisconsin. His role involves preparing meals, snacks, and breakfasts for the shelter’s residents, with an added touch of fresh desserts when possible. “Everybody wants to treat, you know, and I want them to feel like they’re being seen,” Myers said. For Myers, the work extends beyond a job. Having once struggled with homelessness and sobriety, he now finds purpose in giving back to the community. “God put me in the right place,” he reflected.

The Salvation Army operates two shelters in Madison: one for women and another for families. These shelters were previously housed under one roof, but the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic forced the organization to separate services, leading to capacity issues. The nonprofit has long aimed to reunite the shelters under a single facility with expanded resources. A recent development brings this goal closer to reality.

County Executive Melissa Agard’s 2027 executive budget includes a proposal to use $2.1 million from the capital projects fund to purchase a west side property for the new shelter. If approved by the county board, this funding would support the construction of a facility designed to accommodate at least 157 beds for adult women, with additional space for 24/7 family shelter and support services. The project also includes plans for mental health and dental clinic services.

Major Michael Sjogren, a Dane County coordinator for The Salvation Army, noted that the organization is “further along than we’ve ever been to finalize that potential.” The new facility would address current capacity challenges, as the organization regularly turns away families and maintains a waiting list of 40 to 60 individuals.

The Salvation Army is currently in the midst of a $15 million capital campaign to fund the new facility, having already raised $13 million. The total construction cost is estimated at $34 million, with Sjogren expressing confidence in securing the remaining funds. “When I come to work, I see my ladies walking the streets. And I see people that are sitting in the doorways that are cold,” Myers said. “So I’m very excited about [the new shelter].”

Source: Read the original report