The Boise corps of the Salvation Army has crossed a major threshold in its most ambitious project to date, a new campus in West Boise. Salvation Army officials announced early today that they had met their $9 million fundraising goal, and that dirt is already being moved on Emerald Street near Maple Grove Road and Mitchell Street.

The first phase of the project will be an expansion of the Marian Pritchett School for high schoolers who are pregnant or have become new mothers. The school, which for more than a half-century operated in Boise's North End, is a unique partnership between the Boise Independent School District and the Salvation Army. The new Emerald Street campus will provide a larger school in addition to a new community center.

Salvation Army officials said more than 250 donors helped them reach their $9 million fundraising goal, and a major gift from the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation topped off the campaign.

“The generosity of our community is incredible—especially for the projects which help struggling families to help themselves,” said Jenifer Dellgard, campaign co-chair and corporate recruiter for First Interstate Bank, in a press release. “I know I speak for everyone involved when I say that we have been so fortunate to be a part of this project and see firsthand how much our community cares about others.”