The Salvation Army of Greenville, Pickens and Oconee Counties announced a major boost to its “Rebuilding Hope Restoring Lives” capital campaign: a $250,000 matching gift from Greenville City Councilmember Dorothy Dowe and her husband, Steve. The donation will be matched dollar‑for‑dollar, potentially generating $500,000 toward the organization’s goal of raising $1.5 million by early October.
New shelter to expand capacity for the homeless
The campaign funds a new 42,000‑square‑foot facility, the “Center for Hope,” to be built on the Salvation Army’s Rutherford Street campus at 417 Rutherford St., near downtown Greenville. When completed, the three‑story shelter will raise the total number of beds from 90 to 143 and add dedicated units for families, as well as transitional housing options.
Current shelters on the campus—one for men and a separate one for women and children—operate at full capacity daily and maintain a waiting list. The new center is designed to alleviate that pressure and provide a safe, dignified environment for those in need.
Community call to action
“We need the community to step up to help fund this project,” Councilmember Dowe said. “The Dowes’ gift will give us a jump start on the next million we need to raise and demonstrate the power of private generosity working alongside public support.”
Bea Walters Smith, the Salvation Army’s director of community relations and development, echoed the sentiment, noting that every contribution brings the vision closer to reality. She highlighted the urgency of meeting the Oct. 1 deadline to keep construction on track for an early‑2027 start.
Local leaders and donors rally behind the effort
Beyond the Dowes, the campaign has attracted corporate partners and individual donors throughout the region. The matching gift is intended to inspire broader participation, leveraging the initial $250,000 to attract additional contributions that will help close the $1.5 million gap.
“Having seen The Salvation Army, I was really taken aback by how much they do and how passionate everybody there is about helping people and the number of services they offer,” Steve Dowe said. “I was convinced when I walked out the door that it was the right thing to do.”
How to support the project
Donors can contribute directly through the Salvation Army’s campaign website at southernusa.salvationarmy.org/greenvillesc. The organization encourages both one‑time gifts and recurring donations, emphasizing that each dollar brings the community closer to fully funding the new shelter.
The “Center for Hope” represents a significant investment in Greenville’s effort to address homelessness with compassion and practical solutions. With the Dowes’ generous match leading the way, the Salvation Army hopes to meet its fundraising target and begin construction on schedule, providing much‑needed relief for families and individuals experiencing homelessness across the three‑county area.
Original reporting: Greenville Journal — read the source article.
