Diane and John Mullin Hope Center
The Salvation Army Pasadena Tabernacle has provided care and support to individuals and families in Greater Pasadena for more than 130 years.
Enormous challenges are facing many people in our Pasadena community. Lack of affordable housing and skyrocketing childcare and healthcare costs are just a few of the reasons many find themselves living with a family member, out of a car, or eventually sleeping on the streets.
To best meet our community’s needs, The Salvation Army is restructuring its existing two-story facility and newly constructing a four-story facility that will consist of a 9,000 square foot Social Services Center on the first floor and affordable permanent supportive housing on the three floors above.
The Diane and John Mullin Hope Center will be a destination for Pasadena children, families, seniors, and veterans to receive the compassionate care they need and deserve.
Diane and John Mullin Hope Center
Diane and John Mullin Hope Center at a Glance
Social Services
The first floor will house the Social Services operations and include program space for emergency assistance and casework. The centerpiece will be a new client-choice food pantry where clients, accompanied by a volunteer or staff member, can select their own groceries.


Permanent Supportive Housing
Permanent Supportive Housing for Homeless Single Adults will be provided in 65 studio apartments on the second to fourth floors of the Hope Center. The program will target homeless single adults, both veterans and non-veterans, both men and women. Each resident will be offered subsidized rent and extensive case managed supportive services.
The Diane and John Mullin Hope Center campaign has a fundraising goal of $34 million. We anticipate $24 million for development of the upper 3 floors, focused on permanent supportive housing, to come from the City of Pasadena, County of Los Angeles, and State of California funding mechanisms. The remaining $10 million will come from private funding.
Challenges in Pasadena
Pasadena's Population
More than
residents of Pasadena live in poverty
%
of children live below the poverty line
People experienced homelessness in 2019
%
of the homeless population are single adults
3 in 10 people experiencing homelessness in Pasadena are aged
55+
Pasadena possesses one of the highest income inequality values in the
Greater Los Angeles area.
Our Solution
Social Services

Permanent Supportive Housing

Endowment

Social Services
Client Choice
Converting the Food Pantry into a Choice Pantry, enabling clients to select their own food and accommodate senior citizens and individuals with dietary restrictions.
Life Skills Classes
Classes will include grooming, dressing for interviews, interview preparation and practice, parenting, budgeting, and money management, and cooking classes.
Food Handling Storage
With ample space to store food, the new food receiving areas will make food deliveries much more efficient and prevent street congestion or traffic slowdowns.
Community Collaborations
We will have additional space for volunteer and organizational collaborations. The space will enable schools, churches, nonprofits and individuals to join in assisting our Pasadena at-risk neighbors.
Recovery Programs
A powerful and ongoing resource to our friends and neighbors reintegrating into society. The Salvation Army’s “Hope Center” facility includes a dedicated hall for daily Alcohol Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings.
Permanent Supportive Housing
- Approximately 65 units plus one staff unit for a total of 66 units
- Serve homeless adults, including homeless veterans
- Priority will be given to people experiencing homelessness in Pasadena
- All residents will pay 30% of their income towards rent and be provided with ongoing supportive services throughout their tenancy
- Will be overseen by the Salvation Army’s California South Division Social Services Department

Endowment

- Provide meaningful support for existing and new social service programs
- Create a reliable source of income in uncertain financial times
- Help to assure the stability of the Hope Center
- Confirm the Hope Center’s commitment to Pasadena and our residents
- Provide an opportunity for legacy donations to the Hope Center from friends and supporters
- Enable The Salvation Army to recognize the continuing commitment of our friends and community to bring hope and support those at-risk and in need
Thoughts from Community Members
The impact of supportive housing on businesses is a positive one in that there are fewer people on the street, in doorways, sleeping on sidewalks, and under bridges.
I supported supportive housing because it fills such a very important need. When the neighborhood saw the renderings and understood the idea…they began to come on board. It was so positive.
What Makes The Salvation Army Unique

Track Record and Impact in Los Angeles
Throughout Los Angeles, The Salvation Army builds trust and currently provides shelter, case management, rental subsidies, job training, and permanent supportive housing for thousands of homeless youth, adults, or veterans every day.
A few of The Salvation Army shelter facilities in Los Angeles:
Bell Complex
Housing for more than 500 adults experiencing homelessness
Hope Harbor
56-bed program in downtown Los Angeles providing substance abuse treatment and bridge housing for homeless men, most of whom are veterans
The Way In
Located on Hollywood Boulevard, The Way In provides bridge housing for 69 young adults, ages 18 to 24, who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability
Westwood Transitional Village
40 furnished apartments and supportive services for 40 homeless families
Zahn Family Shelter & Lily’s Place
Safe housing and services for 30 families from downtown Los Angeles and Skid Row
Campaign Funding
The Salvation Army is in a comprehensive campaign to secure private philanthropic anchored by a generous lead gift from a local Pasadena resident.
The Salvation Army is also securing city, county, state support, and collaborations and partnerships.
How Can I Help?

Your generous gift may be pledged over several years.
Get Involved
Host a gathering to help us reach out and engage new supporters.
Encourage Engagement
Be a community connector and help us reach out to other community leaders and stakeholders.
Reach out to us
Major Roy & Paula Wild
Corps Officers
The Salvation Army Pasadena Tabernacle Corps
(626) 773-4400
roy.wild@usw.salvationarmy.org