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On Oct. 9, The Salvation Army in Orange County, California, held the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Pathways at the Center of Hope. The event signified the completion of the $38 million project that delivered 72 units of Permanent Supportive Housing for people experiencing homelessness.
Each furnished studio is about 350 square feet and includes an equipped kitchen and a full bathroom. The Pathways building also includes a community room, social services offices, computer room and laundry amenities.
A key component of the center is the introduction of The Salvation Army Orange County’s “Homeless Throughput System,” which aims to provide essential care, support and services to guide residents toward a new life of physical, emotional and spiritual health.
The Center of Hope will be the operational hub of the Homeless Throughput System, using the resources contained in the 14-acre, comprehensive campus in Anaheim: a 325-bed emergency homeless shelter, Pathways apartments and the Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC).
Additionally, the Center for Applied Research and Innovation (CARI) ensures The Salvation Army will constantly be striving for the best practices and innovative initiatives toward all social issues, not just homelessness.
“The Salvation Army is committed to being at the forefront of the battle against homelessness,” said Divisional Secretary for Orange County Major Kenneth Perine. “The Homeless Throughput System at the Center of Hope represents a turning point in our efforts to provide comprehensive care and support to those in need. We are dedicated to creating lasting solutions.”
Distinguished guests such as City of Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken, State Senator Tom Umberg, Congressman Lou Correa, Orange County Supervisor Doug Chaffee, and Vicente Sarmiento, attended the event to congratulate The Salvation Army Orange County and speak about renewed hope for the community.
CalOptima CEO, Michael Hunn, presented a $4.1 million grant check toward the Pathways permanent supportive housing apartments.
“That miracle of bringing hope, restoring hope to the lives of people—that’s what we are doing here,” said Commissioner Douglas Riley, Territorial Commander of The Salvation Army Western Territory.
The Center of Hope project started in the summer of 2018, after the City of Anaheim declared a state of emergency in support of residents who need shelter. Federal Judge David Carter brought key officials together with The Salvation Army and asked for a solution to the current humanitarian crisis.
The emergency shelter was completed in January 2019 after a 75-day turnaround. The expedited timeline was achieved thanks to the teamwork and leadership of the City of Anaheim, The Salvation Army Orange County, Kardent and Swinerton.
The Center of Hope is a long-term project, expected to be completed in phases by summer 2025. Through it, The Salvation Army promises to provide not only the necessities, but also beauty, in a state-of-the-art complex. The tranquil outdoor areas will be designed to assist people in their transformations.
The Salvation Army aims to help people experiencing homelessness in Orange County transition toward hope and self-sufficiency by providing case management, housing and employment navigation, addiction recovery resources, life skills workshops as well as connection to a community determined to encourage, support, inspire and strengthen every single individual who walks through its doors.
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