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The Shalom Community Center is Monroe County’s only day center serving people experiencing homelessness and poverty. By bringing together more than 20 social service agencies, it serves as a central access point to empower people to develop their assets to the fullest extent possible. The Shalom Community Center is located in the basements of First United Methodist Church and First Christian Church.

History

In 2000, some members of the First United Methodist Church realized that people staying in emergency shelters in Bloomington had no place to go during the day when they were expected to be out of the shelter between 9am and 4pm. The church members partnered with a local emergency shelter to open a room in the church to provide a safe place to go during the day as well as offer coffee, newspapers, and a listening ear. This became known as Shalom Community Center, a joint program of Shelter, Inc. and the First United Methodist Church. It was named Shalom because Shalom means “welcome,” or “peace be upon you” in Hebrew.

In January of 2003, Shalom Community Center gained 501(c)3 nonprofit status and became an entity of its own. It has since significantly expanded its programs and services.

Links

• Official website: http://www.shalomcommunitycenter.org

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