The Salvation Army officially opened the doors to its new $500,000 Kraft Street Shelter on Sunday in a ribbon-cutting ceremony that also named the facility after its volunteer contractor, James D. Amos. Amos, in a very brief statement, said he saw the need for the building, but “God was the power” in getting the job done.
Majors Grady and Shelly Pearson greeted over one hundred city and business leaders, along with the general public, gathered for tours of the building, a “dream” that became reality because of strong community support.
“Finally, Clarksville has a new shelter. It’s a blessing to the community, and there is indeed a need for this,” said Advisory Board Chairman Jill Crow in opening the dedication ceremony. “Because of all of you, dreams do come true.”
Kentucky/Tennessee Division Commander John Needham, standing in sunny but near-freezing, windy air, said it “fitting that we stand here in the cold to dedicate a place of respite for the weary and the homeless.”
Clarksville Mayor John E. Piper and Montgomery County Mayor Carolyn Bowers each spoke briefly, mentioning that both city and county each contributed $100,000 toward the cost of the shelter.
The homeless shelter is “Phase 1” of the Salvation Army’s plan for the Kraft Street campus. Phase 2 will be the construction of a combined chapel, office and classrooms on the lot immediately fronting the shelter, a space currently topped with fresh sod to create a spacious lawn.
Inside, guests were shown well lit rooms that will accommodate up to 24 men, 18 women, and four families of up to five members each. In each of these rooms, colorful patchwork quilts covered the beds; each of 55 quilts were made by Jo Cameron, who according to reports, stitched “a quilt a day.” One of the quilts in the men’s hall was a beautifully blended array of creme, brown and gold, with one of the chosen fabrics a subtle print of angels, apropos for the guardianship the shelter will afford its needy occupants.
In the dining area, visitors could view photos and a slide presentation documenting shelter construction.
