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BY DAWN MARKS –
 OFFICIATING AT THE ribbon cutting for the Anaheim ARC women’s residence were (l-r) Commissioner Doreen Edwards, Major Mary Doss, Lt. Colonel Helen Starrett and advisory board member Sharon Morrison. |
More than 150 people, including Salvation Army officers, supporters and community leaders, attended a public dedication ceremony recently for the new Anaheim Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) Women’s Residence.
The residence is a 16,000 square foot ranch style home built on property on Lewis Street in Anaheim, near the existing ARC men’s residence, administration offices and donation processing center.
Starting in June, it will be the temporary home for up to 28 women at a time. Through participation in the six-month ARC program, the women will learn to overcome their substance addictions and return to society to happier, healthier, and more productive lives.
Major Mary Doss, Anaheim ARC director of special services, acknowledged several major contributors to the project, including community groups who raised over $250,000 for new interior furnishings.
She also recognized the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) for donating the interior design for the 16 bedrooms, 18 bathrooms, lobby, living room and dining room, library, counseling rooms, offices and meditation room.
Commissioner Doreen Edwards, territorial president women’s organizations, gave the dedicatory address. Commissioner Edwards, Lt. Colonel Helen Starrett, ARCC director of special services, and Doss officiated at the ribbon-cutting.
Canoga Park ARC Administrator Captain Michelle Pierce shared testimony and a musical solo. Other program participants were Majors Kenneth and Betty Gibson (ARCC), Captain Lee Lescano (Orange County Command) and Sharon Morrison (Orange County Advisory Board, Anaheim ARC Advisory Council).
Special music was provided by the Anaheim ARC Corps “New Life Singers,” Lt. Colonel Bennetta Rody (R) and Major Vicki Roberts (Riverside County ARC).
The event concluded with an open house and an outdoor brunch.
