223: Sheltering hope in The Salvation Army

Today, we’re closing our Warm Hearts, Warm Homes series with perhaps the most critical need of all: shelter.

Recent data shows homelessness has soared to the highest level on record, with more than 770,000 people experiencing homelessness in the United States—an 18 percent increase over last year.

Behind these sobering statistics are real people seeking safety, warmth and a path forward. And The Salvation Army is responding in communities across the West, providing over 3.8 million nights of lodging last year alone.

In our final episode of this series, we’re exploring how The Salvation Army’s sheltering programs serve as more than just a roof overhead—they’re often the first step toward rebuilding lives.

From emergency overnight shelters in Portland to Santa Monica’s Hope Team meeting people where they are on the streets, to warming centers in Pocatello during brutal winter temperatures, these programs are designed not just to provide immediate safety but to create pathways to permanent housing and healing.

Show highlights include:

• The scope of The Salvation Army’s shelter services across the Western Territory
• How emergency shelters in Portland are responding to the city’s homelessness crisis
• The story of the Santa Monica Hope Team and their approach to street outreach
• How the Pocatello warming center came together in record time to save lives
• The link between providing shelter and restoring dignity
• What’s working in the fight against homelessness
• How volunteers and communities can support these efforts

Listen and subscribe to The Do Gooders Podcast now. Below is a transcript of the episode, edited for readability. For more information on the people and ideas in the episode, see the links at the bottom of this post.

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Christin Thieme: Welcome to the final installment of our Warm Hearts, Warm Homes series here on The Do Gooders Podcast.  

We’ve explored how The Salvation Army is helping those in need stay warm—both literally and figuratively—through programs like food assistance, utility help and community care. Today, we’re looking at the most fundamental need of all: shelter.

Just before the holidays, the Department of Housing and Urban Development released a sobering report: homelessness in America has hit the highest level on record. More than 770,000 people are experiencing homelessness—an increase of 18 percent over the previous year. Perhaps most alarming, homelessness among children increased by 33 percent.

Of course, these aren’t just statistics. These are our neighbors, sleeping in cars, under bridges, in tents—or in shelters. And as temperatures drop during winter months, finding a safe place to sleep becomes not just a matter of comfort but of survival.

The Salvation Army is responding to this crisis across the western U.S. with a comprehensive approach to sheltering that goes beyond simply providing a roof and a bed. The numbers tell part of the story: The Salvation Army Western Territory operates 166 residential programs, including 50 emergency shelters, 59 transitional housing programs, and numerous other facilities—providing a total capacity of more than 14,800 beds. Last year alone, these programs provided more than 3.8 million nights of lodging.

But what makes these shelters work? And how do they serve as launching pads to more stable living situations?

Today, I want to highlight three recent stories from Caring Magazine to tell you more about The Salvation Army’s impact.

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In January, The Salvation Army opened two overnight shelters in Portland in partnership with the city and Multnomah County.

We spoke with Captain Peter Pemberton, who serves as Divisional Secretary for Business and Portland Metro Coordinator for The Salvation Army.

Captain Pemberton explained the homelessness crisis in Portland has been growing dramatically—the January 2024 Point in Time count found over 11,000 people experiencing homelessness in Multnomah County, nearly double from the previous year.

When temperatures drop into the 30s or below, as they often do in Portland winters, people are literally freezing on the streets. The city and county approached The Salvation Army in December 2024 about quickly opening two overnight shelters, and with funding support of $375,000 from each government, they were able to open both locations by January 7th.

One shelter is at the SAFES facility in Old Town Portland, providing 52 beds specifically for women, and the other is at the Moore Street Corps in North Portland with 148 sleeping mats for anyone.  

The need is definitely there. Justin Moshkowski, Director of Multnomah County Sheltering Programs, reports that many people come in and immediately fall asleep—they’re that exhausted from life on the streets.  

While these are 90-day programs initially, The Salvation Army is in ongoing conversations with city officials about the future. The goal isn’t just to provide a bed for the night, though that’s critically important. The vision is for these shelters to become bridges from the street toward permanent housing. That’s why they also offer light food, hygiene supplies, and information on further services that can lead to permanent housing. Both locations also allow pets, which removes a significant barrier for many people experiencing homelessness.

You can read the full article for each of the stories I’m sharing today at caringmagazine.org, and if you head to the show notes for today’s episode, you’ll find a direct link to each.

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In Santa Monica, California, The Salvation Army is taking a different approach with the Hope Team. We spoke with Jose Puga, an Outreach Worker with the team, who shared that since November 2022, they’ve been partnering with the Santa Monica Police Department as part of their Homeless Liaison Program.

When the police conduct their weekly walks to inform unhoused neighbors they need to relocate, the Hope Team joins them to offer alternatives to sleeping on the streets. Often, they’re out there at 5 a.m., connecting with people as they’re waking up—not just saying “you need to move,” but offering real solutions, whether that’s shelter, medical care, substance abuse treatment, mental health services, or other support.

What makes this team special is that more than half of them, including Jose himself, have experienced homelessness and addiction before finding support and recovery through The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center. Jose graduated from the Santa Monica ARC in 2020, and when he talks to someone on the street, he can honestly say, “I’ve been in your shoes before; I understand how you may be feeling.”

Last year, the Hope Team engaged with over 350 individuals, and approximately 108 of them secured interim or permanent housing through the program. But they measure success in many ways. Even if someone isn’t ready for case management, they invite them to the Santa Monica Corps’ Tuesday and Thursday hot meal program, which gives them ongoing opportunities to engage.

Jose shared a story about one client who visited for meals a few times before saying he was ready to get back on his feet. The case manager helped him get his birth certificate and a new ID. The man then began attending church at the corps and even volunteering during his free time.

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In Pocatello, Idaho, we spoke with Mareah Makowski, who serves as Ministry Leader at the Pocatello Outpost with her husband, Bryan. They took yet another approach, quickly opening a daytime warming shelter in response to extreme cold.

In mid-January, Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad called a meeting to discuss the severe cold weather—single-digit temperatures—and asked if The Salvation Army could open an overnight shelter. While they didn’t have the resources for that, Mareah offered an alternative: a day shelter.

With permission to use funds allocated for extreme weather, they worked quickly to open the shelter the very next day. That weekend, they served more than 75 hot meals to people coming in from the cold. They offer hot beverages and snacks throughout the day, along with warm clothes and blankets. Guests can receive information about further Salvation Army services, referrals to other agencies, and pastoral care and spiritual support.

The shelter remained open through February—from 8 a.m to 4 p.m., seven days a week—and March if the cold weather continues.  

Perhaps most encouraging is how the warming shelter has led to deeper connections. On a recent Sunday, three people who came in just to get warm joined them for church, while another woman who had visited the shelter during the week came specifically for church. As Bryan Makowski said, “That’s how we want to minister—that’s how we want to tell people we love them—it’s with the basics, the necessities. It’s cold, come inside—warm up and get some coffee.”

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These stories from Portland, Santa Monica and Pocatello illustrate just a few of the ways The Salvation Army is approaching the shelter crisis, especially during the cold winter weather. These approaches go beyond simply providing a bed to creating pathways to stability, dignity and hope.

And these approaches matter more than ever. A recent Seattle Times article highlighted how shelter systems can become clogged when there aren’t enough permanent housing options available. According to homelessness expert Dennis Culhane at the University of Pennsylvania, who is quoted in the article, “The exit opportunities have to be in place for people to be able to move on.”

This is exactly what The Salvation Army aims to do—not just provide emergency shelter, but create those exit opportunities through case management, supportive services and connections to permanent housing resources.

The Seattle Times piece also noted how the quality of shelter matters tremendously. Seattle transformed its homeless shelters in recent years, converting crowded halls into private spaces, expanding hours from overnight to 24/7, and adding staffing. The results? People stayed longer in shelters, and their chances of getting permanent housing doubled, from 12 percent to 25 percent.

Similarly, The Salvation Army’s approach emphasizes dignity-centered care that addresses the whole person—not just their need for shelter, but their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

While the statistics about rising homelessness are sobering, there are reasons for hope. The number of homeless veterans actually declined by 8 percent last year, continuing a long-term trend driven by bipartisan support for housing and services for this group. It shows what’s possible when we come together with focused resources and the will to help.

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So as we close our Warm Hearts, Warm Homes series, I want to challenge each of us to take action. Here are three ways you can help:

First, consider donating to The Salvation Army’s sheltering programs. With over 3.8 million nights of lodging provided last year in the western U.S. alone, every dollar makes a difference in keeping someone safe and warm.

Second, volunteer your time. Shelters need people to serve meals, sort donations and simply be present with those who are experiencing homelessness. Your compassion and conversation can be just as valuable as material assistance.

Third, advocate for solutions in your community. Attend local government meetings, write to your representatives, and speak up for those whose voices often go unheard.

As Jose Puga from the Santa Monica Hope Team shared with us: “Even if someone is at their rock bottom, there’s always a way to get back up and find a different path.”

We know that creating that path often requires the support of an entire community—and there is a you-sized need for goodness right where you are.

To find The Salvation Army location nearest you and learn more about sheltering programs in your area, visit westernusa.salvationarmy.org.

Thank you for joining us throughout this Warm Hearts, Warm Homes series. The work continues, and so does our commitment to doing the most good for those who need it most.

Until next time, keep choosing hope and doing good, right where you are.

Additional resources:

• If you are one of the hopefuls, get on the list for the Do Good Digest, our free 3-minute weekly email newsletter used by more than 20,000 hopefuls like you for a quick pick-me-up in a busy day.  
• If you are enjoying this show and want to support it, leave a rating and review wherever you listen to help new listeners hit play for the first time with more confidence.  
• If you want to help The Salvation Army serve more than 27 million Americans in need each year, give today. Your gift of money, goods or time helps The Salvation Army do good all year in your community.  

Listen and subscribe to The Do Gooders Podcast now.