Charlotte’s Salvation Army plans to expand shelter options with $5 million grant

The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte said Tuesday it plans to launch an employment program and expand shelter options for families after receiving a $5 million grant.

The money was donated from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife MacKenzie’s Day 1 Families Fund.

“We will be able to enhance our existing services, including the addition of housing navigators to help clients identify and apply for housing,” said Larry Broome of The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte, in a statement. “We will also be able to add more robust programs, including GED classes, job training, resume building and more, to help our shelter clients increase their income.

“Ultimately, our goal, with the help of this grant is to reduce the demand for emergency shelter in our community,” Broome stated.

The Salvation Army has been serving people in Mecklenburg and Union counties since 1904.

The Day 1 Families Fund grants totaled $97.5 million and were awarded to 24 nonprofits nationwide that help the homeless.