CENTER OF HOPE

In 1899, The Salvation Army was established in Birmingham, Alabama, one year after the first steel mill opened. Spearheading the first efforts in the city were two female officers, Captain Houchin and Lt. Phillips. They were initially met with indifference, but that did not stop them. They set up a central location at 510 North 15th Street. In less than four years, the women opened two additional Corps in Ensley and Bessemer. 

In 1967, a new facility was built at 2130 11th Avenue North which served the community well for over 50 years. But, due to the growing needs of the community, The Salvation Army built the beautiful Center of Hope at 2015 26th Avenue North in 2017. The Center of Hope is a 4.1-acre campus consisting of four interconnected buildings totaling 110,000 square feet (about the area of a Manhattan city block). The program and services housed at the New Center of Hope offer solutions to some of the biggest societal issues and challenges faced today by families, youth, our neighborhoods, and our city – problems such as poverty, homelessness, and education. 

The Center of Hope campus was designed around the complete restoration of Lewis Elementary School, originally built in 1928. The complex includes three new additional buildings that house a 200-seat capacity dining hall, a two-story men’s residential building, and a three-story residential building for women and children. The campus was designed by the architectural firm, LIVE Design Group, and the construction was managed by Brasfield & Gorrie. 

VETERAN'S BRIDGE PROGRAM 

The Salvation Army of Greater Birmingham Area Command's Veteran’s Bridge program is a partnership between The Salvation Army and the Department of Veteran Affairs. The Bridge Program provides Veterans with the services necessary to transition from experiencing homelessness to permanent supportive housing. Veteran’s services include case management and the coordination of medical, mental health, substance abuse recovery, education and workforce development, housing placement, and other resources. 

The 90-day program serves up to 10 Veterans and provides meals and living essentials. Veterans also participate in social and leisure activities, work out in their own fitness center, watch movies, play games in the Veteran’s Lounge, and enjoy weekly outings. 

The Veterans Bridge Program provides supportive resources and services to Veterans seeking to transition into a permanent home of their own.  

If you would like more information, please contact 205-328-2420. 

CURE HUNGER

The Salvation Army Greater Birmingham Area Command hosts food pantries in three areas to combat hunger and food insecurity in our area. By supplying free, fresh produce, canned goods, and healthy frozen items, our food pantries provide valuable meal supplementation while helping those in need maintain their independence and dignity. These food pantries are especially crucial in “food deserts,” where entire communities experience food insecurity due to a lack of grocery store access. 

The Center of Hope 

2015 26th Avenue North 

Birmingham, AL 35234 

205-328-2420

The Bessemer Salvation Station 

425 13th Street North 

Bessemer, AL 35020 

205-425-4303

Alabaster Service Center 

105 Plaza Circle 

Alabaster, AL 35007 

205-663-6105

Join us Monday – Friday for a Free meal at The Center of Hope, from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm. 

EMERGENCY SHELTER

The Salvation Army Greater Birmingham Area Command is the only shelter in Central Alabama that provides emergency housing for women, men, children, families, and Veterans. 

If you are in need of emergency shelter, please call:

Men’s Intake - 205-328-2420 ext. 3110

Women’s Intake - 205-328-2420 ext. 3103

614 COMMUNITY CORPS

What is 614?

To learn more about the 614 Corps, please  watch the video below:

614 is a network of incarnational faith communities in urban centers in several countries, who are committed to a shared vision: Rebuild, Restore, Renew (Isaiah 61:4) and a shared mission: Plans, Hope, Future (Jeremiah 29:11). We encourage, support, and resource each other as much as possible believing that we are better together. 

The following six “principles” comprise a framework to help define 614: 

• Vision: Rebuild, Restore, Renew: “They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.” (Isaiah 61:4) 
• Mission: Plans, Hope, Future: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) 
• Essentials: 

 
Worship with commitment and integrity 
Transformational prayer 
Preaching for all by all 
Radical discipleship 
Redemptive theology of salvation 
Holistic mission of redemption 
Prophetic engagement with culture 
Passionate pursuit of justice 
Commitment to lifestyle simplicity 
Incarnational community life 
Affirmation of all peoples equally 
Rooted in mission not maintenance 

• Incarnational Ministry: 614 is predicated on relational ministry and therefore is incarnational in form and function. We “live our lives” alongside and among those whom God has called us to, following the example of Jesus: “The Word became flesh and moved into the neighborhood.” (John 1:14) 
• Faith Communities amongst the Urban Marginalized: 614 are faith communities intentionally among, with, and by the poor and marginalized – the last, the lost, the least – primarily in urban neighborhoods. 
• Mutual Accountability: Each 614 is in relationship with other communities of the 614 networks. This includes intentional cross-resourcing, open communication, sharing of information and plans, and mutual accountability. 

All our Worship Service Centers offer daily and weekly opportunities to worship with your neighbors who want to know the Lord. Our work is motivated by the love of God. It is our mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. We are always available for emergency welfare and help through challenging times in life. 

WEEKLY SCHEDULE 

Sunday Schedule 

Sunday School - 9:45 a.m. 

Morning Worship - 11:00 a.m. 

Junior Church – 11:30 a.m. 

Fellowship Lunch – 12:00 p.m. 

Wednesday Schedule 

7:00 p.m. Adult Bible Study 

For more information on 614 Community Corps or REVEAL, please contact Majors Bret & Susan McElroy at 205-948-0017 or 205-948-0014 . 

A SOLDIER'S STORY 

HOUSING PROGRAMS

Pathway of Hope provides client-centered services to families, designed to break generational poverty and create a path towards success. The program centers on case management and identifying an individual client’s needs, skills, and strengths.  Pathway of Hope was developed to impact the multigenerational effects of poverty. The lives of parents, children, and families are positively impacted at The Center of Hope by providing stable and safe housing and providing educational, career, and life skills programs that support self-sufficiency.  The Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope initiative marks a pivotal shift to focusing on the core causes of poverty rather than treating the symptoms. Lack of job opportunities, unstable housing, and an underserved educational environment can all be major challenges for someone looking to lead a self-sustainable life.

My Home participants will transition out of the shelter system and into permanent housing upon successful completion of the program.

The Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope initiative marks a pivotal shift to focusing on the core causes of poverty rather than treating the symptoms. Lack of job opportunities, unstable housing, and an underserved educational environment can all be major challenges for someone looking to lead a self-sustainable life.

Emergency Housing is available at The Center of Hope, located at 2015 26th Avenue, North Birmingham, AL 35234.  Our emergency shelter is available to women, men, children, families, and Veterans.  If you or someone you know is unhoused, please give us a call at the number below.

For more information, please call 205-328-2420.

The Salvation Army – Bessemer Service Center

525 13th Street North
Bessemer, AL 35020

The Bessemer Salvation Station serves our western Jefferson County neighbors and offers social services programs, including food, utility, and rental assistance programs.  The Bessemer Salvation Station is also home to The Bessemer Corps, which offers several Christian worship and outreach programs, services, and events. 

Sebrena Davis, Social Services Director

205-425-4303

Sgt. Terri Campbell, Corps Administrator

205-425-4303

Operating Hours:  Monday – Friday, 9 am – 4 pm

Please call 205.425.4303 to schedule an appointment for emergency assistance, including assistance with groceries or paying utility bills.

SCHEDULE 

Sunday:

9:30 am Sunday School

11:00 am Holiness Meeting

Tuesdays:

10:00 am Women's ministry 

11:00 am Bible study 

Noon - Lunch and fellowship 

Wednesdays:

5:00-6:30 pm Club 316 ages 5-17

Third Saturday of each month:

8:00 am Men's prayer breakfast 

BESSEMER BORN AGAIN

H20 Water Foundation Water Bill Assistance

The H2O Foundation assists low-income, elderly, and disabled Birmingham Water Works customers with paying their water bills and plumbing repairs. The Salvation Army Greater Birmingham Area Command administers this program that has assisted individuals and families since 2003.

How to Qualify

To learn more about qualifying for assistance, please go to bwwb.org/community/H20.

You may also contact The Salvation Army Greater Birmingham Area Command at 205-328-2420.

How to Help

If you would like to help assist, please check the box on your water bill to donate to the H20 Foundation, or make a one-time donation to the H20 Foundation by mailing your gift to:  P O Box 830110 Birmingham, AL 35283-0110.  Please make your check payable to “H20 Foundation.”

Project Share Energy Bill Assistance

The Salvation Army Greater Birmingham Area Command administers the only registered Project SHARE (Service to Help Alabamians with Relief on Energy) in Alabama. 

The Salvation Army Greater Birmingham Area Command partners with Alabama Power and the rural electric cooperatives to provide emergency energy assistance to elderly and disabled Alabamians in peak winter and summer months. 

The Project SHARE program began on December 15, 1982. Project SHARE intends to help meet the energy needs of qualified heads of households and individuals with limited income who are either elderly or disabled. Individuals should not be employed and should be facing financial challenges with the payment of energy bills. Eligibility criteria, allocations, and program guidelines can change from year to year based on funding and other conditions. 

The program assists Alabamians in 59 counties statewide. Since it was established more than 40 years ago, the program has provided $38,403,713.28 in assistance to 385,834 families. 

Ways to Give  

Project SHARE is funded primarily by contributions from the customers of Alabama Power Company. Customers simply pledge to donate $1, $2, $5, $10 or any other whole-dollar amount to Project SHARE by checking the box on their monthly utility bill. This amount is conveniently added to each monthly bill and all donations will be forwarded to The Salvation Army Greater Birmingham Area Command. These donations will be spent assisting neighbors across Alabama who need assistance paying their power bills. 

If you would like to make a financial contribution to assist neighbors in Alabama, you can give directly to Project SHARE through The Salvation Army. 

Donate by Mail: The Salvation Army Greater Birmingham Area Command, 2015 26th Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35234, Please designate ‘Project SHARE’ on all checks. 

Donate by Phone: Call 205-328-2420 to make your donation, please designate your gift for Project SHARE. 

How to Receive Help 

If you are faced with a crisis, applicants need to apply for Project SHARE assistance at the office in their county of residence. If you need help with your power bill, please call The Salvation Army Greater Birmingham Area Command at 205-328-2420 or contact the local servicing agency in your county listed below:

Autauga – Community Action Agency Autauga County, 334.361.0505

Baldwin – Community Action Baldwin County, 251.626.2646

Barbour – United Way Clearing House, 334.687.2896

Bibb – Community Service Programs of West Alabama, 205.752.5429

Blount – Community Action of Northeast Alabama, 256.638.4430

Bullock – Bullock County Aging Program, 334.738.2928

Butler – Butler County DHR, 334.382.4400

Calhoun – The Salvation Army Anniston, 256.236.5643

Chambers – Circle of Care, 334.768.4091

Cherokee – Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama, 256.638.4430

Chilton – Eleventh Area of Alabama Opportunity Action Committee, 205.755.1204

Choctaw – Community Service Programs of West Alabama, 205.752.5429

Clarke – Community Action Clarke County, 251.275.8498

Clay – Clay County DHR, 256.396.6800

Cleburne – CAA of Talladega County, 256.362.6611

Coffee – The Salvation Army of Dale/Coffee County, 334.445.3070

Conecuh – Community Action Conecuh County, 251.578.2331

Coosa – The Salvation Army of Tallapoosa County, 256.215.3730

Covington – OCAP, 334.428.2660

Crenshaw – Crenshaw County DHR, 334.335.7000

Dale – The Salvation Army of Dale/Coffee County, 334.445.3070

Dallas – Dallas County Family Resource Center, 334.874.7785

Elmore – Community Action Agency Elmore, 334.567.4361

Escambia – Community Action Escambia County, 251.867.4759

Etowah – Etowah County Baptist Mission, 256.546.2980

Fayette – Community Service Programs of West Alabama, 205.752.5429

Franklin – Community Action Agency of Northwest Alabama, 256.766.4330

Geneva – HRDC, 334.794.8754

Greene – Community Service Programs of West Alabama, 205.752.5429

Hale – Community Service Programs of West Alabama, 205.752.5429

Henry – Henry County DHR, 334.585.4100

Houston – Southeast Alabama Community Action (HRDC), 334.794.8754

Jefferson – Urban Ministries, 205.781.0517

Lamar – Community Service Programs of West Alabama, 205.752.5429

Lowndes – Community Action of Lowndes County, 334.548.2768

Macon – Community Action Agency Macon County, 334.727.6100

Marengo – Community Action Agency of South Alabama, 334.682.4863

Marion – Community Action Marion/Winston County, 205.921.4224

Mobile – The Salvation Army of Mobile, 251.438.1625

Monroe – Community Action Monroe County, 251.743.3137

Montgomery –  The Salvation Army of Montgomery County, 334.265.0281

Perry – Perry County Health Department, 334.683.6152

Pickens – Community Action Agency Pickens County, 205.367.8166

Pike – OCAP, 334.566.1712

Randolph – The Salvation Army of Tallapoosa County, 256.215.3730

Russell – Community Action Agency Macon/Russell County, 334.727.6100

Shelby – Eleventh Area of Alabama Opportunity Action Committee, 205.755.1204

St. Clair – Community Action of Northeast Alabama, 256.638.4430

Sumter – Community Service Programs of West Alabama, 205.752.5429

Talladega – Community Action Agency of Talladega County, 256.362.6611

Tallapoosa – The Salvation Army of Tallapoosa County, 256.215.3730

Tuscaloosa – CSP of West Alabama, 205.752.5429

Walker – The Salvation Army of Walker County, 205.221.7737

Washington – Community Action Washington County, 251.457.5700

Wilcox – Community Action Marion/Winston County, 205.921.4224

The Education and Workforce Development Center 

The mission of The Salvation Army Education and Workforce Development Center is to provide quality, innovative, education and training activities that exceed the needs of our students through cross-agency partnerships; that will help them achieve their long-term employment goals and financial self-sufficiency. We are focused on building a pipeline of qualified participants who can fill Birmingham’s entry-level jobs. The Education & Workforce Development Center is open to Salvation Army clients and members of the Birmingham community. 

The Education & Workforce Development Center provides a range of administrative, counseling, and supportive services through its partners and partnering agencies. Workforce Development is important for the success and development of work and life management skills. Workforce Development is at the heart of The Salvation Army’s Center of Hope. Not only are we dedicated to developing great employees, but we are also dedicated to developing individuals who can sustain employment not only through job readiness preparedness but also life skills and educational training. There are a variety of training programs available. Programs include education and workforce assessments, education and career counseling, basic life skills training, pre-GED and literacy assessments, GED courses with a diploma option, vocational training, certification opportunities, job placement, and associate degree programs. 

We are currently looking for partners in the community whose mission and goals align with the mission of the Education & Workforce Development Center. Our facility has seven fully equipped classrooms available for use by partners willing to bring their programs to our site. We are looking for organizations and companies that offer educational courses to partner with as we continue to develop our education and workforce development curriculum. 

If you are interested in partnering, class offerings, or job skill training, please contact Jehan Quinn at Jehan.Quinn@uss.SalvationArmy.org or call 205-453-9571 . 

EMERGENCY DISASTER SERVICES

When disaster strikes, Hope is on the Way.  

The Salvation Army of Greater Birmingham’s disaster response teams deploy to any disaster that places a community or its people at risk, or that may disrupt or destroy family security or well-being. We are often the first to arrive and last to leave a crisis, serving tirelessly alongside first responders, agencies, and community members. 

The Salvation Army of Greater Birmingham’s EDS (Emergency Disaster Services) Fleet consists of The Canteen, The Rapid Response Unit (RRU), The EDS 4×4 F250, and a portable meal trailer. The EDS teams consist of Salvation Army Officers, employees, and volunteers. 

THE SALVATION ARMY HELPS MEET THE NEEDS OF DISASTER SURVIVORS THROUGH: 

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS 

As one of the largest disaster relief organizations in the country, The Salvation Army recognizes the need to be prepared. We provide education on how to prepare for and respond to disasters and aid in the development of emergency disaster plans. 

IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE 

Natural disasters strike without much warning, so The Salvation Army is ready to jump into action on short notice. We gather donations, resources, and volunteers in a predetermined staging area, so we are ready to help as soon as the federal, state, or local government declares the area safe to enter. Our disaster assistance includes providing food, water, and shelter to survivors, lending a hand with cleanup, and putting people in touch with loved ones. 

LONG-TERM DISASTER RECOVERY 

The Salvation Army continues to aid survivors of natural disasters throughout the recovery process. We collaborate with local, state, and federal governments to develop and execute a long-term disaster relief and recovery plan, including restoration and rebuilding initiatives, meeting basic needs, covering medical expenses, cutting funeral costs, and distributing in-kind donations to help survivors rebuild their lives. 

EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL CARE 

Not all aftermath of disasters is visible to the naked eye. The Salvation Army helps address the emotional impact on disaster survivors and first responders with emotional support and spiritual comfort. Whether it is lending a listening ear, offering a hug, joining together in prayer, or simply being present, Salvation Army personnel are ready to help. 

For more information, please call 205-328-2420.  
 

SALVATION THROUGH THE STORM 

HOPE CLOTHING

The Center of Hope operates “Hope Clothing” closet, open to guests and members of the community.  Seasonal or special clothing items, such as warm winter clothing, professional work attire, and childrens clothing are also available.  For more information, please call 205-328-2420.

ADULT REHABILITATION CENTER 

The Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) offers a free, Christ-centered, substance abuse recovery program to men over the age of 18, struggling with addiction.  The Salvation Army ARC Ministries provide an on-campus, recovery program that provides spiritual and physical restoration to more than 200,000 people each year. 

Birmingham’s ARC is funded through sales at The Salvation Army Family Stores, located at:

76 Green Springs Highway in Homewood, AL

2741 John Hawkins Parkway in Hoover, AL

For more information, please call 205-252-8151.

Worship

Not all aftermath of disasters is visible to the naked eye. The Salvation Army helps address the emotional impact on disaster survivors and first responders with emotional support and spiritual comfort. Whether it is lending a listening ear, offering a hug, joining together in prayer, or simply being present, Salvation Army personnel are ready to help. 

The Salvation Army of Greater Birmingham Area Command has two Community Corps Worship Centers: Birmingham 614 Corps and The Bessemer Salvation Station. Both locations offer worship services, spiritual guidance, and financial and community support to individuals and families in need or experiencing crisis.

Majors Bret and Susan McElroy lead the Birmingham 614 Corps. For more information about The Birmingham 614 Corps, please call 205-328-2420. 

Sgt. Terri Campbell serves as the Bessemer Salvation Station's Corps Administrator.  For more information about The Bessemer Salvation Station, please call 205-425-4303. 

We look forward to hearing from you!

The Center of Hope - 205-328-2420

The Bessemer Salvation Station - 205-425-4303

The Alabaster Service Center - 205-663-6105

The Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) -  205-252-8151