ORLANDO, Fla. – The Salvation Army headquarters in Orlando is opening its doors and getting results for the Coalition for the Homeless shelter in downtown.
Starting Thursday afternoon, nearly 150 men from the shelter will be able to sleep inside the gymnasium every night for the next two weeks.
“They are in need. They need space. We have it. We had to cartel some of our programs, but we are working cooperatively and collaboratively together to help each other,” said Capt. Ken Chapman with the Salvation Army of Orlando.
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The move comes after the men’s building on Terry Avenue caught fire last month, which damaged the kitchen and displaced more than 200 men who were staying there.
News 6 learned the men had been staying at another church for the time being but will now come to The Salvation Army for shelter.
“We are going to fill the whole floor space,” Chapman explained.
According to the City of Orlando, investigators listed the cause of the fire as “undetermined” but said they will continue to follow up on leads.
“Whatever properties we have, we make available so that people can have a safe place to be, a safe haven, and give them a little dignity. When you give a person dignity, they perform better in the community,” Chapman said.
News 6 reached out to the Coalition for the Homeless on Thursday to find out more information on repairs and when the men can return to the campus, we are still waiting to hear back.
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