Miami Herald - Thursday, December 20, 2001
Althea Paul, Herald Writer

Colon ended up at the shelter after she lost her job at the Aventura Mall and couldn't afford the rent on her North Miami apartment.

The 36-year-old has been at the shelter for about a month.

Although it's not her ideal place to live, she's grateful for everything the Salvation Army has provided her with.

"I felt like, `thank God for this place,"' Colon said. "If it wouldn't have been for this building and the people that work here, where would we go?"

For eight years the Salvation Army shelter at 1907 NW 38th St. has given the homeless in Miami-Dade County a place to stay.

It is one of the few shelters that has housing geared toward families and also those suffering with HIV.

"The Salvation Army believes in the sanctity of the family and reaching out to all family members to preserve and strengthen families," said Carol Davis, director of Social Services.

About 31 percent of the homeless population in Florida is made up of families with children.

In the shelter, families are able to receive three meals a day, referrals for permanent housing, child care, and educational and spiritual help.

They also are assigned to a caseworker who meets with them at least twice a week to help get the families back on their feet.

The shelter's AIDS housing program, called Here's Hope, houses 60 people, some of whom are infected with the disease and others who are affected by it.

Apart from receiving food and shelter, they have access to much-needed support groups and health care aides.

The Salvation Army also has adult rehabilitation centers at two locations in South Florida that provide housing and substance abuse treatments for men.

The six-month recovery program also focuses on building a personal relationship with God, and receiving job skills and counseling.

The shelter also houses battered or displaced women and their children as well as single men.

They also receive the basic necessities and services such as case management and job referrals.

In addition, training programs are offered to help occupants with everyday life, such as stress management skills and job skills, and help receiving their GEDs.

More than 50,000 men and women pass through the shelter each year.

The shelter houses up to 236 people and has a 100 percent occupancy rate.

There is also a 50 percent success rate -- which means that within one year, the clients are either in transitional housing, boarding homes or permanent housing.

Depending on the program, the stay can range from 30 days to one year. But even if the period has passed, no one is put out on the street.

"Our ultimate goal is to get them into permanent, safe, affordable housing and we're quite successful," said Davis.

The rooms of the shelter resemble dorm rooms, and there are laundry facilities. There is also a TV room, a library, a weight room and a game room in the men's quarters.

Workers help monitor the occupants, who must sign in and out of the shelter, and an 8 p.m. curfew is enforced.

However, there is an outdoor patio area available even after curfew and clients can obtain late passes if needed.

Davis said the shelter is not a prison. Rules are implemented at the shelter in order to assure everyone's safety.

Absolutely no drugs, alcohol, or violent behavior is tolerated. If these rules are broken, the client is asked to leave.

But many gladly abide by these rules so that with the Salvation Army's help, they can get their lives together again.

"It's been a long road for me," said Willie Richardson, a recovering drug addict who has been at the shelter for about three months. "It's helped me a lot. It gave me a place to stay, somewhere to eat, a shower."

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