Doing the Most Good

from Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine Business Mar/Apr 2020

Knowledge is Power

DOING THE MOST GOOD Salvation Army’s new Center of Hope works to end the cycle of homelessness.

By: CHRISTINA HUNTER VILLEDA

rchitecture serves civilians through direct and indirect programs. Turner Ramirez Architects and the Salvation Army are “doing the most good” by considering the needs and building the facilities for a family and veteran-centered shelter right here in the Coastal Bend.

The new Center of Hope is a stateof-the-art structure meant to replace the current aging facilities on Josephine Street. The present location resides within several buildings that do not properly function to propel the current mission. The new Center of Hope will be located along the Crosstown Expressway, adjacent to the existing Salvation Army Corps buildings & Fellowship Hall. With this concept, all functions necessary for the Center of Hope will be under one roof, providing added ease of accessibility and security for residents.

The design of this project focuses on increasing availability of services for families with children. Uncommon among similar housing shelters in the Coastal Bend, the new Center of Hope will be the only facility in our area that can house family units in the same space. The building will house 30 family rooms, each containing private bathrooms and closet space. In total, the structure will have 120 beds for families and children. Every other room contains a lock-off door to accommodate larger families in need of more space than a single room.

Not only does the project consider the needs of families inside the individual units – it also incorporates other amenities for residents. The Salvation Army insists on having an open family lounge, A

as well as a kids’ play area. The play area connects to an outdoor fenced playground for children to enjoy.

Other subtle amenities focus on accessibility for residents. “Our facility will be ADA compliant,” states Capt. Patrick Gesner of the Salvation Army of Corpus Christi. Putting Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) rules and regulations at the forefront of design assures accessibility of potentially disabled veterans and other residents living in the center.

Veteran housing is another core concept and driving force behind this project. The layout incorporates three dedicated rooms, securing 12 beds for veterans, as well as a dedicated lounge for veterans. Veterans will also have their own private laundry facilities.

Besides the sleeping unit spaces, the Salvation Army also implements other necessary programs within the structure. Not only for the use of everyday residents, a large kitchen and dining hall are pertinent in preparing for holiday meals, as well as unexpected occurrences like disaster response. The project also emphasizes educational needs by incorporating a business center/classroom right at the entrance of the building. The center will focus on skills training for residents and other Salvation Army community programs. Administrative and case manager offices will also be onsite to assist residents or potential residents in their journey to end the cycle of homelessness.

The Salvation Army is an established organization here in the Coastal Bend, touching the community in many different ways. The capital campaign for this project has been successful due to the generous gifts of multiple private donors and foundations that all support the mission of the Salvation Army.

The new Center of Hope is not only serving homeless civilians of the Coastal Bend, it is rehabilitating and reintegrating these individuals back into our community. Gesner firmly believes in the center’s potential, and that “TRA ensures this project’s success and that it will last in the Coastal Bend area for the next 50 years.”

44 I N S P I R E COASTALB E N DMAG.COM PHOTOS COURTESY OF TURNER RAMIREZ ARCHITECTS

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