Salvation Army Center of Hope

There is no help to find a more sutable housing. However, with one exception, the staff is kind and helpful. Because of covid, my stay has been extended. Staff is overworked, but I believe that they do the best that they can. It is a roof over my head, a bed and 3 meals a day. It is a blessing, for those of us who have no home.

It was nicely and clean well this was a few yrs back the employees were very patient and kind to me I was very grateful

It isn't like being in my own home. The staff is nice for the most part. They do fuss at you for not wearing a mask in areas where everyone congregates outside of the dorms. There are dorms that look like what you imagine in a summer camp with bunk beds and no real storage space. You're not allowed to have your own food and you have to eat whatever they serve unless you have food stamps or money to purchase your own. The director will call you in her office sometimes, which is scary. She is really nice but she is also matter of fact. She asked me to help by volunteering pack bags of food. I loved it. I felt like I was helping someone else besides myself. I imagined the people who would come get the food I bagged. I forgot about my own problems for a few hours. I loved working in the pantry.

A blessing.

No

I felt safe. They have security guards at night. The building is locked. There are cameras. Is it as safe as your home? Maybe not but it's safer than the streets and the woods.

Yes.

Told me no 5 hours later

They let me bring my service dog but there's no signs that say they do or don't anywhere not even in their intake paperwork or rules they give you to fill out.

Beats sleeping on the street especially in OCALA.

Bring your ID. They do a background check. Come after dinner, it seems to be the best time. Don't bring a lot of stuff because there's no place to store it.

Just ask staff for anything, God has them there for a reason.

Five hours

The staff says it's case by case. Some people won't be able to stay because they do a background check. Some people stay longer because they need a lot more help than others. The rules paper you get says it's an emergency shelter and that it's only 14-days. I know people are staying longer, maybe it's because there's no such thing as Affordable Housing in Ocala, FL, especially if you're making under $5000 a month.

14 days.

14 days