For over twenty years the Salvation Army's Center of Hope in Murfreesboro has provided thousands of nights of sheltering to single men and families to help some of the most vulnerable citizens in our community. Two years ago a third shift sheltering program, the first of its kind in Murfreesboro, was added to meet a growing need in our community.

Staring Monday, August 31st, the Center of Hope will undergo another change.

Family rooms will now be designated as rooms for single mothers and children. Local Salvation Army Corps Officer Captain Monica Seiler says, "As a result of our strategic plan we want to reflect the greatest need in the community and that is sheltering for single mothers and their children." She explains that nothing policy wise will change and that couples who need sheltering with children will still be provided lodging, but intentionality in reaching single mothers and children is being addressed.

All mothers will be provided case management and will be working on individualized life improvement plans that, according to Social Services Director Teresa Olson, "will help them to be productive again while giving them the support they need to be successful." Mothers will be provided with weekly life skills classes and will be paired with a mentor.

The Salvation Army's Center of Hope Shelter and Life Recovery Program has an unprecedented success rate of over 80% of residents finding permanent housing. "Our tenets of teaching responsibility while providing accountability for long-term sustainability will not change. Our greatest success stories occur when people no longer need our services" says Captain Seiler.