CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Mayor Joe Pitts recently took a tour of the Salvation Army, joined by Valerie Guzman and Bridget Childs with the United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region, along with Lt. Andrew Lewis of the Salvation Army.

Lewis, commanding officer and pastor of the Clarksville Salvation Army, said he wanted to update the city and the United Way about what the agency is doing and how they are working to meet the needs of the community with new programs they have instituted. “We are also working with the United Way and the City of Clarksville on ways to partner with other local agencies to help rise up and meet those needs together,” Lewis said.

One of the family rooms at the Salvation Army Shelter, known as the Center of Hope, inside the Salvation Army, on Feb.1, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
One of the overnight rooms at the Salvation Army Shelter, known as the Center of Hope, inside the Salvation Army, on Feb.1, 2022 (Lee Erwin)
One of the overnight rooms at the Salvation Army Shelter, known as the Center of Hope, inside the Salvation Army, on Feb.1, 2022.
Lieutenant Andrew Lewis, Mayor Joe Pitts, along with United Way officials discuss needs of the Salvation Army during a tour at the Salvation Army Shelter, on Feb.1, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
One of the family rooms at the Salvation Army Shelter, known as the Center of Hope, inside the Salvation Army, on Feb.1, 2022. (lee Erwin)
Salvation Army, United Way officials, and Mayor Joe Pitts tour the Salvation Army Thrift Store, Feb.1, 2022.
The Chapel at the Salvation Army Shelter, on Feb.1, 2022.
Salvation Army, United Way officials, and Mayor Joe Pitts discuss needs of the Salvation Army, during a tour of the facility on Feb.1, 2022.

One of the new programs Lewis talked about is Life Navigation. Lewis described it as a rapid re-housing program. Since it began in August, 44 families and 60 individuals have been involved in the program with eight families and 15 individuals finding permanent housing. Through other support, 120 individuals have been helped with food and clothing.

The tour covered the emergency shelter, also called the Center of Hope. The shelter has the capacity to support six single women, 10 single men, and four family suites with four people, for a total of 16 individuals.

“We would love to do some construction on the facility. We have plans, but unfortunately due to finances we are unable to do the construction at this time. We are trying to make the most use out of the space we do have,” Lewis said.

The Salvation Army serves around 600 meals each week. That averages close to 120 individuals per week, which also includes helping with clothing vouchers, Life Navigation and Center of Hope services.

Lewis said one their biggest needs right now is for volunteers to fix random items that need repair or replacement.

After the tour, Pitts talked about what he had seen and heard.

“As we’ve seen throughout the pandemic as our community grows, there are more and more needs. The Salvation Army historically has met those needs, so we just want to make sure we’re being good partners,” Pitts said.

The Salvation Army is located at 210 Kraft St. To learn more, to make a donation, or show your support as a volunteer, visit facebook.com/salvationarmyclarksville, email Andrew.Lewis@uss.salvationarmy.org, or call 931-552-5350.