United Way of Southwest Louisiana and the City of Lake Charles Partnership Provides Support for Enlarging Facilities
LAKE CHARLES, LA, August 15 – The Path Home, an initiative of United Way of Southwest Louisiana focused on homelessness in the lake area, presented $15,000 to The Salvation Army for facility modernizations. The Salvation Army’s renovation will double their resident capacity, have a separate dorm dedicated for Veterans, give the kitchen a much-needed upgrade and provide additional security for staff, residents and volunteers.
The Path Home partnership between United Way of Southwest Louisiana and the City of Lake Charles is an initiative to provide resources to area organizations who are focused on homelessness. The objective of the Path Home is to create long-term changes in the lives of homeless individuals and families by assisting them along a path toward stable housing, healthy lives and successful futures.
“The City of Lake Charles thanks United Way of Southwest Louisiana for spearheading the Path Home Initiative. By supporting The Salvation Army, a non-profit with a legacy of impacting thousands of lives for over 100 years, United Way and this community are responding to a desperate need,” explained Nic Hunter, mayor of the city of Lake Charles.
“The Path Home continues Southwest Louisiana’s reputation of hospitality and generosity to those most in need,” stated Denise Durel, President and CEO of United Way of Southwest Louisiana. “United Way is able to initiate projects independently in our focus areas when we see a need that is urgent. We are thankful to be in a position to help.”
Aside from the added Veteran’s dorm, three new dorms are being created using existing space. These will give incentives to working residents that are earning privileges on their way to independence.
Due to the growth and updating occurring at The Salvation Army, there are specific needs before the new Veteran’s dorm and other spaces are utilized. Lieutenant Leanne Marion said the shelter’s most pressing needs before intake are 52 metal lockers, metal frame industrial bunk beds, industrial laundry appliances and new twin mattresses.
The shelter is also accepting anti-microbial mattress covers and new linens for the residents along with three televisions and dorm refrigerators for the new dorms dedicated to employed residents.
For more information or to donate to The Path Home, visit or call 337.433.1088.
For more information on United Way of Southwest Louisiana, visit www.unitedwayswla.org or call 337.433.1088.
