to care for our neediest children and families…
The Salvation Army Gresham Corps facility at 194th & Stark is only 1/2 complete!
$3.3 million is still needed to complete the Phase II; a Gymnasium and a Family Service Center to serve our communities’ children and families even better.
Questions Regarding the Campaign:
Q: Why is the Center of Hope necessary at this time?
A: The Center of Hope will expand the Salvation Army’s ability to meet the need in Multnomah County’s poorest area. Currently 15% of residents in East County live below the federal poverty level. Included in that number are 23,000 children under the age of 6. More than 164,000 people in this area do not have enough to eat. The Salvation Army in Gresham distributes more than 38,000 lbs of food each year. In addition, thousands of area children lack the assets they need to grow up safe and healthy. The after school program in the new center will meet this need for tens of thousands of children and teens in the area yearly. Tutoring, music education, computer labs, character building programs and sports are just some of the many programs which will help to enrich the lives of the children in our community.
Q: How much money is needed to make the Center of Hope a reality?
A: The Gresham Capital Campaign goal is to raise $3,300,000 for this project.
Q: Why did you choose this economically challenging time to raise funds for the Center of Hope?
A: Our calling is to help hurting people, and as their numbers continue to increase in East County, we knew we had to proceed. We believe with a sound plan, committed Advisory Board and Council, volunteers, caring and generous metro citizens, we will be successful.
Q: I always donate to the Christmas Kettle. Will this help build the Center of Hope?
A: Friends like you who donate throughout the year and at the holidays are very special, and your gifts provide essential funding for our programs and services. We continue to need those vital gifts, and we are asking the generous residents of the metro area to make an additional, specific contribution to the Center of Hope campaign.
Q: Where will the Center of Hope be located?
A: The Center of Hope will be located at 473 SE 194th Avenue.
Q: How will you manage to keep operations running smoothly with so much construction going on?
A: Affected departments at each phase will be housed in a temporary space within the already completed Phase I. We have developed plans that will limit inconveniences to clients and staff and enable us to maintain daily operations without disruption to service.
Q: How large is the area that The Salvation Army serves?
A: The Salvation Army in Gresham serves Multnomah County and North Clackamas County. The Portland Metro Salvation Army is responsible for all of Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington Counties.
Q: What is the timing for the campaign?
A: The campaign is under way. Construction of phase I of our project was completed in September of 2008. Fundraising for Phase II is ongoing. Construction of Phase II will start in 2011.
Q: Do all gifts need to be made to the campaign prior to the end of construction?
A: No. While we hope to secure many gifts up front, we also recognize that many more folks can make significant contributions to this important campaign if they are able to do so over a multi–year period up to 5 years. The Salvation Army staff will be happy to work with you to determine the way in which you can make the most meaningful gift to our campaign.