HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – During the Pennyrile Area Development District Board meeting, Lieutenant David Donegan with the Salvation Army of Hopkinsville spoke to the board about design plans for a new facility.
“Our shelter was built in 1975. Our life navigation was built 71 years ago. They are old buildings.” Donegan told the board. He then shared his plans for what he calls the Life Nav Center, a new facility to make an impact on the community and combat homelessness. This would be located next to the existing Carnegie Library on East Seventh Street.
The new, modern facility design includes two floors. The first floor houses a dining room, meeting rooms, laundry rooms, and a facility for children. On the second floor is several dorms for men, women, and families. Along with the facility changes, Donegan plans to make it accessible 24-hours, seven days a week to continue to help throughout the evening.
Need for growth
“This building is a community building for everyone to come, enjoy, and have access to,” Donegan said about the proposed facility. “That’s what my vision is whether it becomes a reality during my time here, I don’t know, but this is what I want.”
A tour Christian County Now took of the current shelter in September of 2023 revealed the limited resources they are working with. Built in the early 1970’s, the building contains thirty beds spread through five different areas. There is a men’s dorm with a few bunk beds, and separate rooms for women and families.
The Salvation Army recently expanded in Hopkinsville in May 2024 with the creation of the Life Navigation Hub, a space dedicated to offering street-level engagement for people who are unhoused. Through the program, individuals receive essential resources, build relationships of trust and belonging, and craft personalized plans for achieving their goals.
Programs and community impact
“The shelter is far more than a place where people can come to get a place to sleep.” Donegan told the board. “The shelter is a gateway to what is offered and what we can do for them.”
He explained that through the Rapid Housing Program, Permanent Support Housing, Referee Housing, and Support Services for Veteran Families Program, they are ensuring that those in need have housing and remain housed.
According to Donegan, the Salvation Army has less than 1% returning to chronic homelessness, but even with the progress that has been made, Donegan understands that they want and need to do more.
He ended by saying that for 83 years the Salvation Army has been operating quietly. They currently have nine households they are about to rehouse and have already rehoused 54 families in permanent supportive housing, along with 39 rapid rehousing situations this quarter. The organization has also invested over $3 million to assist community members.
“The Salvation Army’s mission has never been more relevant than it is today,” he said.
Daynnah Carmona contributed to this article.
| STAY IN THE KNOW: Sign up for the free weekly Christian County Now email newsletter