The Carr P. Collins Service Center is the largest multi-use facility of the Salvation Army.  Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the Shelter Care Programs provide safe shelter and hot meals for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.  Additional programming and support services are available to assist in a successful transition from homelessness to stability.

The Salvation Army Gardens became a Dallas County Master Gardener project in 2012 in order to provide a place of serenity for the residents of the women’s and children’s shelter and the dedicated staff who work there.  The project has expanded to include a small garden outside the main lobby and another courtyard garden near one of the other women’s and children’s homeless units.

Master Gardeners maintain all three gardens on a twice monthly (every other Wednesday) basis.  Residents and staff are encouraged to participate, and horticultural best practices are shared by example in the water-wise and Earth-Kind gardens.  The shelter garden has been designated as a Monarch Waystation.  Progressive plantings of pollinator plants have provided a safe haven to many types of butterflies, birds, and bees who live and feast among the flowers and vines.

The residents and staff of the Salvation Army facility often express their appreciation of the gardens and their gratitude to the Master Gardener team for providing an oasis of beauty and serenity for people living in a time of chaos and stress.

The Carr P. Collins facility will be moving in a few years to a new, larger campus nearby, so our main goal at this time is to maintain the gardens and continue our outreach to the staff and residents. We have been assured that Master Gardeners will be part of the transition to a new home, and we look forward to being a part of the plan.