The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida has received a $300,000 grant from the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Funds to support both the Red Shield Lodge for women and families and Hopes Crossing for men.
The donation will be held for three years at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida.
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With the generous gift, the Salvation Army Area Command Community Room will also be named the Delores Barr Weaver Community Room, serving as a welcoming space for like-minded organizations to host meetings and events.
The Salvation Army Area Command building is located at 800 W. Monroe St. in Jacksonville.
“We’re deeply grateful to the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Funds for this generous $300,000 grant, which will have a profound impact on the lives of individuals and families seeking hope and healing at the Red Shield Lodge and Hopes Crossing,” said Maj. Keath Biggers, Area Commander of The Salvation Army. “This support allows us to continue providing critical shelter, resources, and pathways to stability for those experiencing homelessness in our community. With this gift, we are not only meeting immediate needs but also building brighter futures.”
The Red Shield Lodge provides 40 beds for single women or families with children, while Hopes Crossing is a 40-bed transitional housing program designed for men.
Both the Red Shield Lodge and Hopes Crossing are located in The Towers Center of Hope in LaVilla, which provides housing and assistance for individuals experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of becoming homeless.
Towers residents receive meals, budgeting assistance, educational support, spiritual counseling, transportation assistance and job placement.
Delores Barr Weaver has an extraordinary legacy of philanthropy in Northeast Florida since moving to Jacksonville as co-owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1993.
Since her historic gift of $50 million in 2012, establishing the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Funds, she has partnered with The Community Foundation on her philanthropy through numerous, multi-million-dollar gifts, including the Foundation’s largest-ever gift of $61 million in 2023.
Today, her grantmaking exceeds $209 million, with support for more than 300 organizations in Northeast Florida and beyond.
The Salvation Army has been serving the hurting, the homeless and the hopeless in Jacksonville since 1891.
It is recognized internationally for its conscientious use of all donations and for its services to those in need, as well as for its programs addressing substance abuse, domestic violence, and for its rapid and ready emergency disaster response.
