ORLANDO, Fla. – Volunteers and workers at the Salvation Army on Friday gave News 6 an exclusive look of the renovated women’s and children’s shelter in Orlando.
The shelter, which closed for refurbishment in spring 2022, has been updated with new safety rooms, a kitchen, a dining hall, bunkrooms and bathrooms and a playground for children.
Salvation Army Capt. Ken Chapman said the project was completed thanks to Orange County, with the financial support of stakeholders and donors.
“None of this could be made possible without the incredible sacrifices of our community members,” Chapman said.
In 2022, News 6′s Ezzy Castro first spoke about the project with Chapman, who said the facility had not been renovated since the 1970s.
“We’ve been serving Orlando for 104 years and this shelter will shelter every night 66 women and children,” Chapman said.
Through the Salvation Army’s partnership with Valencia’s School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality, the organization will also offer a community garden and seed-to-table healthy meals for families.
“To those that commit to getting their hands dirty and working alongside us in living out our mission of doing the most good and loving beyond hardship, thank you,” Chapman said.
News 6 spoke to The Salvation Army’s Chief Secretary Colonel Deborah Sedler, who came to Orlando from Atlanta, to celebrate the accomplishment.
“We pray that the people that come will get their lives back on track and will be able to get housing and be stable in our communities,” Sedler said.
The total cost of renovations was $3.3 million. Plans are in the talks to do renovations for the men’s shelter in the summer.
A ribbon cutting is set for Wednesday, Feb. 28.
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