Salvation Army Capt. Jerry Esqueda shows the torn-down men's sleeping quarters at The Salvation Army shelter in El Centro. The shelder is undergoing repairs. (Joselito Villero) |
After 15 years of service, The Salvation Army men’s shelter temporarily closed Oct. 1 to prepare for major repairs, but it still needs funds.
“This all needs to be replaced,” said Salvation Army Capt. Jerry Esqueda as he walked through the crumbling bathroom in the men’s shelter. “The men deserve better than this.”
The current men’s shelter was opened in 1995 with room for 10 men. Esqueda said it caters to men since there is only one other men’s center in the Valley, in Calexico. Once renovated, The Salvation Army men’s overnight shelter will accommodate six to 10 individuals. It is located in The Salvation Army’s Imperial Valley office at Fifth Street and Park Avenue.
“We’re really anxious to get it going, especially with the winter months coming,” said Salvation Army Capt. Vicky Esqueda. “We tend to get a lot more people.”
The men’s shelter will offer men an overnight place to stay on a first-come, first-served basis. They will be given a meal, bed, clothes and a bathroom in which to shower. In order to stay, men cannot smoke, drink or consume drugs, Jerry Esqueda said.
“People come in and have a safe place to stay, a meal, a shower and clothes,” he said.
The interior of the men’s shelter, which is off of a hallway in the building, has been cleared of its old bunk beds. Jerry Esqueda said the interior will be totally redone with new furniture, paint, floors, common areas and bathrooms.
He estimates the renovations will cost between $5,000 and $10,000. He said The Salvation Army will need to rely on donations during the holiday season and community help to fund the changes. The federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program has agreed to provide funds for meals, showers and other services but cannot provide money for construction.
Jerry Esqueda said many men find themselves in difficult situations and could use some help. Many are homeless, recently released parolees with a $200 stipend or men who get stranded in the Valley while passing through, he said.
“It provides men a place where they can regroup and find other agencies where they can get help,” he said.
Vicky Esqueda said it is bittersweet to be preparing the men’s overnight shelter for renovations.
“It’s good we’re remodeling, but it’s sad we have to temporarily shut it down,” she said.
Jerry Esqueda said he hopes The Salvation Army can provide men in need of shelter a quality place to stay with the renovated facilities.
“We want it to be a place where men can come in and be cared for by the love of God, and the change is going to happen with help from the community,” he said.
Staff Writer David Steffen can be reached at 760-337-3452 or dsteffen@ivpressonline.com
“This all needs to be replaced,” said Salvation Army Capt. Jerry Esqueda as he walked through the crumbling bathroom in the men’s shelter. “The men deserve better than this.”
The current men’s shelter was opened in 1995 with room for 10 men. Esqueda said it caters to men since there is only one other men’s center in the Valley, in Calexico. Once renovated, The Salvation Army men’s overnight shelter will accommodate six to 10 individuals. It is located in The Salvation Army’s Imperial Valley office at Fifth Street and Park Avenue.
“We’re really anxious to get it going, especially with the winter months coming,” said Salvation Army Capt. Vicky Esqueda. “We tend to get a lot more people.”
The men’s shelter will offer men an overnight place to stay on a first-come, first-served basis. They will be given a meal, bed, clothes and a bathroom in which to shower. In order to stay, men cannot smoke, drink or consume drugs, Jerry Esqueda said.
“People come in and have a safe place to stay, a meal, a shower and clothes,” he said.
The interior of the men’s shelter, which is off of a hallway in the building, has been cleared of its old bunk beds. Jerry Esqueda said the interior will be totally redone with new furniture, paint, floors, common areas and bathrooms.
He estimates the renovations will cost between $5,000 and $10,000. He said The Salvation Army will need to rely on donations during the holiday season and community help to fund the changes. The federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program has agreed to provide funds for meals, showers and other services but cannot provide money for construction.
Jerry Esqueda said many men find themselves in difficult situations and could use some help. Many are homeless, recently released parolees with a $200 stipend or men who get stranded in the Valley while passing through, he said.
“It provides men a place where they can regroup and find other agencies where they can get help,” he said.
Vicky Esqueda said it is bittersweet to be preparing the men’s overnight shelter for renovations.
“It’s good we’re remodeling, but it’s sad we have to temporarily shut it down,” she said.
Jerry Esqueda said he hopes The Salvation Army can provide men in need of shelter a quality place to stay with the renovated facilities.
“We want it to be a place where men can come in and be cared for by the love of God, and the change is going to happen with help from the community,” he said.
Staff Writer David Steffen can be reached at 760-337-3452 or dsteffen@ivpressonline.com
