(MODESTO, Calif.) -- The City of Modesto has approved a total of $591,000 in funding for the Salvation Army to help the non-profit organization cover continued critical and essential services for unhoused individuals.
Photo Credit: Salvation Army / Google Maps
The decision made at a September 22 meeting would effectively provide funding towards things such as staffing, programs, and investments in costs related to the facility in an effort to aid funding challenges The Salvation Army faces. According to city documents, the funding would help the non-profit remain in operation from October to December 1. The Salvation Army Campus referenced is located at 320 9th Street and operates two shelters: the Access Center and Emergency Shelter (ACES) and the Berberian Shelter.
OpGov.News spoke with City Coordinator of The Salvation Army Modesto Corps Major Darren Statton to get an inside view of the ongoing financial issues they face.
“The principal challenge is the changes in the type of funding that is available for shelter operations," Stratton said. He noted that certain funding mechanisms have actually reduced the amount of money available to homeless shelters.
Fortunately, talks between the City of Modesto and The Salvation Army have happened over the course of the past year according to the Major. These talks prompted the approval of the California Department of Housing And Community Development (HCD) to allocate $491,000 in state funds to the Salvation Army through the Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program (PLHA).
Being that Stanislaus County is jointly working with the City of Modesto regarding funding for the ACES shelter, OpGov.News reached out to the county for comment. The county replied, stating, “Stanislaus County works closely with the city on the Access Center and Emergency Shelter (ACES) and remains committed to exploring options for the continued operation of ACES and the critical services it provides to our community."
Photo Credit: Salvation Army / Google Maps
In conjunction with money allocated from the state, the nonprofit was also awarded an additional $100,000 coming from a community benefit fund that was to be given to The Salvation Army on behalf of Canopy Growth USA, LLC, a cannabis holding company. A resolution passed on November 4, 2020. The City of Modesto approved the Hemp Operating Agreement, which allowed for the manufacturing of hemp by Canopy Growth USA.
The agreement also required the cannabis company to supply a community benefit contribution totaling $300,000 to a nonprofit organization within the City of Modesto. The payments would be on an annual basis, adding up to $100,000 over the course of three years. Despite this, Canopy USA ceased operations in June 2023, prompting the City to search for a charitable organization to receive the second-year recipient, to which the Salvation Army was chosen.
Aside from the two shelters, Stratton also discussed other important services that are offered within Stanislaus County.
“It’s important that all readers understand that sheltering operations is just one service out of Stanislaus County,” Stratton said. "The Red Shield Community Center, for example, is another organization that serves both youth and senior demographics," he noted.
Photo Credit: Salvation Army Red Shield
Located at 1649 Las Vegas Street in Modesto, the website displays a variety of different services, venues, and classes offered, ranging from the arts, sciences, ministry, and youth leadership, to name just a few.
Major Darren Stratton told OpGov.News at the end of our conversation that they’re not going anywhere, and that despite struggling with funding, Stanislaus County has a strong commitment to helping those in need.
To add to or correct any information in this report, please contact me at yikaileau.w@lead4eearth.org
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