A summer camp is held at the Towers of Hope for the children of sheltered residents, who are known as participants. | Salvation Army, Northeast Florida Area Command
Published on August 21, 2025 at 5:02 pm
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The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida has received a $300,000 grant from Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Funds.
Maj. Keath Biggers, the Salvation Army area commander, says the three-year grant will go toward homeless services.
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The money will be used primarily for the Hopes Crossing transitional housing program for men and the Red Shield Lodge for single women and those with children, Biggers said.
Both programs are in The Towers Center of Hope in LaVilla, which provides housing and assistance for individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. Residents receive meals, budgeting help, educational support, spiritual counseling, transportation assistance and job placement.
The Salvation Army has been serving the homeless and others in Jacksonville since 1891.
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The organization’s greatest need right now is providing support for single women, as a 40-bed shelter is always at capacity with a wait list for services.
In addition to homeless services, the Salvation Army will name the Delores Barr Weaver Community Room, which serves as a meeting space for other organizations at the Salvation Army Area Command building on Monroe Street.
Delores Barr Weaver has an legacy of philanthropy in Northeast Florida since moving to Jacksonville as co-owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1993.
Her gift of $50 million in 2012 established the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Funds. Since then, she has partnered with The Community Foundation on her philanthropy through numerous, multimillion-dollar gifts, including the foundation’s largest-ever gift of $61 million in 2023.
