Souls Harbor of America

Soul’s Harbor was established in 1982 by Dr. Art Jones and his family when he saw the need of a “shelter” for the homeless men, women and families of the area.  Soul’s Harbor is guided by a board of directors from the community and local churches.  Soul’s Harbor receives no government assistance and is totally supported by churches, organizations, businesses and concerned individuals for the plight of the homeless. 

Soul’s Harbor of America Mission Statement:

“To operate a Christian mission for the homeless and less fortunate to provide shelter, food, clothing, Christian counseling and to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to hurting individuals.”

Soul’s Harbor has chapel services each evening at 6:45 pm.  A pastor or lay people from area churches conduct the nightly service.  Chapel is mandatory and has been since opening the Harbor in 1982. 

Two meals a day are served – 7 AM for breakfast and 5:45 PM for dinner.

Residents of the Harbor as well as those of the community who are in need are welcome to come in and partake of that which God has so graciously provided.  The dining area is located at 915 S. Main street in Joplin.

Those who are in need of housing may check in at 915 S. Main St. where dorms and family shelters are located.  Single men are downstairs with families and single women are upstairs.  The office at 915 Main opens at 4 PM and people may check in after that time. 

Food baskets and personal items are also given out to those who come to Soul’s Harbor in need for their families.  Furniture, bedding, box springs and mattresses, clothing, shoes, school supplies and miscellaneous household items are also given away when available. 

The Soul’s Harbor administration building is located at 817 S. Main St. in Joplin.

In this building are the offices of the Executive Director, Administrative Assistant, pantry, chapel and storage.

Applications are currently being taken for Soul’s Harbor’s Christmas program for children. 

On average, 33 people per day are housed at Soul’s Harbor.  Two meals per day are provided and those who work are provided with sack lunches. 

So far in 2007:

• 526 adults (101 of them veterans) and 72 children have been housed at Soul’s Harbor
• 10, 598 meals have been served (39 per day, 433 sack lunches given)
• 7,713 nights of lodging (29 per day)
• Food baskets for 3, 159 families (5, 859 adults & 2, 921 children)
• School supplies for 199 families (462 children)
• The Hand’s Up program has helped 753 families with gas vouchers and clothing for work
• 1, 134 families have been helped with charity and other help