Shelter Expansion Opens
The Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta Marks Opening of Shelter Expansion with a Ribbon-Cutting; Rebrands as Center of Hope
“Veterans do matter,” said U.S. Army Veteran and Center of Hope client Jeffrey Woodard when sharing what he thought when he heard about the dedicated space for veterans in the newly expanded shelter. Woodard was one of four speakers at the ribbon cutting held on Wed., Jan. 21, 2026, celebrating the completion of The Salvation Army Metro Atlanta Area Command’s expansion of its downtown Atlanta shelter and the new Education & Workforce Development Center. Woodard shared his personal journey of being homeless and how The Salvation Army was there for him when he needed it most so he knows first-hand how the new living spaces will impact those seeking help at the shelter.
The shelter expansion and new Education & Workforce Development Center marks a major step forward in The Salvation Army serving the Atlanta community. Located in the heart of downtown, two blocks from Georgia Aquarium, the newly renamed Center of Hope houses unsheltered men and women (including Veterans) and families. The new name more clearly reflects The Salvation Army’s holistic approach to serving those in the Atlanta area who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Construction began in July 2024 and was completed in November 2025.
Tom Summers, Retired SVP from Suntrust, former Salvation Army Metro Atlanta Area Command Advisory Board Chair, and HOPE with Dignity capital campaign committee Co-Chair and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens joined Woodard and Major Thomas McWilliams, commanding officer for The Salvation Army Metro Atlanta Area Command to share remarks about this important project with a crowd of nearly 200 supporters, partners, and city leaders who were there to celebrate with us.
As campaign co-chair Summers expressed appreciation for all of the donors and supporters who made this expansion possible. He highlighted the fact that the new five-story tower doubles the shelter’s square footage adding 116 beds to the total capacity and space dedicated to Veterans while increasing the amount of privacy and space available for all clients, and the new Education & Workforce Development Center which will offer upskilling and certification classes to shelter clients and the surrounding community.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens recognized The Salvation Army for the impact the organization has had on the community for more than 135 years. He acknowledged the importance of private and public partnerships in addressing the issues of the unhoused and in reducing economic inequality, commending The Salvation Army on the future impact that is made possible with this new expansion.
After Major McWilliams closed the program with expressions of gratitude, leadership, he was joined by Major John Murphy, The Salvation Army Georgia Divisional Commander; Tom Summers; Jason Dozier, Atlanta City Councilmember District 4; Thomas Thompson, The Salvation Army Center of Hope Director; Jeffrey Woodard; Mayor Andre Dickens; Craig and Dawn Menear, HOPE with Dignity campaign Co-Chairs; and Major Stacie McWilliams, The Salvation Army Metro Atlanta Area Commander to cut the ceremonial red ribbon at the Education & Workforce Development entrance! The celebration continued inside with tours of the building, treats and keepsakes, and attendees signed a photo mat that will be proudly displayed in the Center of Hope with a picture of the Ribbon Cutting ceremony to commemorate the event.
The Salvation Army Metro Atlanta Area Command would like to thank all the donors who supported this campaign and the community who championed it, along with each and every person who celebrated with us at our Center of Hope Ribbon Cutting.
To see photos from the event, click here.