Longtime Stanislaus County homeless advocate retiring

MODESTO -- Jerry Morris, who has been director of homeless services at The Salvation Army's Modesto Citadel for 22 years, is retiring.

Morris also has overseen the army's social services operations, as well as the homeless shelter at Ninth and D streets near downtown.

"Jerry has received national honors for his extraordinary social service work," according to The Salvation Army's weekly newsletter. "This is accomplished by his genuine love for the homeless and needy, and his willingness to do everything possible to meet their physical, mental and spiritual needs."

Capt. Lisa Smith will replace Morris, said Capt. Mike Paugh, the Modesto Corps officer. Smith's previous assignment was overseeing Railton Place, a clean and sober living residence for the homeless in San Francisco. Paugh said Smith has been job-shadowing Morris for six months. Paugh said Morris is retiring in a couple of weeks.

The Salvation Army is renovating its shelter at Ninth and D streets with a $1 million state grant. The project has taken longer than anticipated after bids for the work came in significantly higher than expected, and the group had to redesign the project to reduce its cost.