The Salvation Army

Locating a person who is missed by their family and being able to participate in reuniting families is a unique service provided by The Salvation Army worldwide. The Missing Persons Bureau of the Eastern Territory provides this service in the United States of America to bridge the gap of distance and lack of communication that exists between family members and to facilitate successful reunions.

The Salvation Army’s Bible Correspondence Program offers Bible lessons to incarcerated persons. For many, these lessons offer new understanding and form the base for developing a spiritual motivation for their lives. The Salvation Army ministers to the families of the incarcerated by providing spiritual guidance, supportive counseling, and material assistance. Re-entry into society when prison terms conclude continues to be one of the greatest challenges for the incarcerated. Without the appropriate resources, it is increasingly likely that those recently released will end up returning to prison. In response to this, The Salvation Army offers residential services such as Harbor Light Centers and Adult Rehabilitation Centers. In many communities, practical assistance such as clothing for job interviews, transportation assistance, and food vouchers are offered to aid in the transition process.

We love God and serve others because of His love for all. That’s where our mission comes from-to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet needs in His name without discrimination. We want to introduce the love of God into the lives of those most in need, as we care for them physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We do this by offering free prayer, pastoral counseling, weekday Bible-based ministries for all ages, and Sunday worship.

Music and art are crucial for youth development enrichment. Our diverse programs offer instrument training, painting, drama, dance, and poetry. The Salvation Army’s music programs and music camps introduce people of all ages to the beauty of the arts, helping them explore their talents of singing and learning to play instruments. We offer performance opportunities and community programs for aspiring artists.

The Salvation Army operates 45 residential summer camps and hundreds of day camps across the county. Each year more than 185,000 children and senior citizens enjoy the fresh air, exercise, and new friendships at these annual summer camp programs. Camping is more than a pleasant vacation. Attendees learn new skills about self-reliance; trained counselors who understand their emotional needs and problems help them to mature. All our camps in the Eastern Territory are American Camp Associate (ACA) Accredited.

Camps in the Eastern Territory include:
Long Point Camp (Penn Yan, NY)
Camp CONNRI (Ashford, CT)
Camp Sebago (Standish, ME)
Camp SWONEKY (Oregonia, OH)
Camp Tecumseh (Pittstown, NJ)
Camp Ladore (Waymart, PA)
Camp NEOSA (Carrollton, OH)
Camp Allegheny (Ellwood City, PA)
Camp Wonderland (Sharon, MA)
Star Lake Camp (Bloomingdale, NJ)

Others Trade for Hope is The Salvation Army’s global social enterprise. Partnering with over 1,200 artisans in Kenya and Bangladesh, Others provides fairly compensated work for the most vulnerable.

In keeping with the core values of The Salvation Army, Others seeks to build opportunities for people to provide for themselves and their families. William and Catherine Booth – the founders of the Salvation Army - when working with the most vulnerable in 1865 London, saw that the solution to poverty could not be found in the provision of basic needs alone, but in the building of skills and opportunity for people to have dignified work to provide for themselves. Others is one way that the Salvation Army today continues to partner with people around the world to create these opportunities.

Others is coordinated by The Salvation Army International Headquarters, with sales channels in a growing number of countries including the USA, Canada, Norway, Denmark and Sweden.

To learn more, please visit: www.tradeforhope.com

Emergency family and personal assistance is provided with dignity and respect to the individual(s) involved. Some of the most common ways such assistance is provided (as determined by local need and available resources) include: access to food pantries, food vouchers, emergency lodging and meals, rental and utility assistance and emergency household furnishings.

Basic Needs assistance is typically ongoing and often provides critical psychological, spiritual and material support for the working poor and other vulnerable individuals and families. Community meals depend on the need in the community and may be served daily, weekly or monthly. Such meals may become “dining experiences” with good fellowship, singing, a warm welcome and an invitation to take part in other functions. Food bank distribution sustains health in those who could not otherwise afford it and may occur weekly, biweekly or monthly, depending on location. Clothing assistance may be provided to families and individuals on a seasonal or special event basis, in a way that coveys dignity and worth rather than dependency. Such examples are warm clothes for winter months, a layette for a new baby, diapers for infants and toddlers, clothes for employment or school.

Pathway of Hope (POH) is a nationwide initiative rooted in an intensive case management approach that provides targeted services to families with a desire to take action to break the cycle of crisis and enable a path out of inter-generational poverty. Its curriculum is client-centered, focusing on empowerment through a strengths-based lens. POH aims to help families address root causes of their barriers utilizing existing internal resources alongside extensive community collaboration.

Bridging the Gap Between Youth and Community Services (BTG) is a free, 12-week, life skills education program that provides safe alternatives to violent and risky behavior of court-involved and at-risk youth, ages 12 to 17. It is based on the belief that young people can change their life patterns with intensive exposure to this high-structure program which occupies their time and refocuses their goals and ambitions. The curriculum includes the following topics:
Self-Esteem
Self-Assessments of Strengths, Talents, and Interests
Communication Skills
Goal Setting and Decision Making
Education and Employment
Money Management
Rights and Responsibilities
Culture and Diversity
Relationships
Morals and Values
Peer Pressure
Anger Management and Conflict Resolution
Health (addictions, body image, STD/HIV prevention, teen pregnancy)
Violence and Gangs

The Salvation Army works in collaboration with local and federal law enforcement and numerous Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to provide comprehensive services for all victims of human trafficking. We are a leading NGO in the United States in the fight against human trafficking, with over 43 locations of programs and initiatives, specializing in working with survivors of sex or labor trafficking, domestic and foreign nationals, of any age, race, ethnicity or gender. Our strategic action plan includes four key areas in how we fight for freedom: 1) Awareness & Training; 2) Prevention & Outreach; 3) Survivor Services & Recovery and 4) Partnership & Advocacy. In addition to our involvement in the United States, The Salvation Army is a key member in fighting human trafficking internationally. There is an international protocol for addressing trafficking, which created a system and structure for a coordinated response. We work directly with survivors, collaborate with partners, and advocate for change.

Based on local needs and agreements with other community groups, The Salvation Army may offer a range of programs and services that are important to keep older adults from becoming isolated - including weekly or monthly clubs, daily noon meals, transportation, education, family visitation, counseling, support groups, telephone reassurance, chore services, bus trips, and senior camps for respite, fun and fellowship.

The Salvation Army recognizes that holidays can bring added financial and emotional stress for families in need. We offer a variety of services to help families and individuals make it through the holiday season. Our seasonal programs include Adopt-A-Family, Children’s Tree, Angel Tree, Toy Shop, Thanksgiving and Christmas meals or food baskets, holiday parties for youth and older adults, and providing winter gear for youth and adults.

Salvation Army Kroc Centers provide children and families with opportunities to discover and develop passions and talents within their own neighborhood. These state-of-the-art community facilities provide arts, education, and athletic opportunities for children, adults, and families in undeserved communities.

The Salvation Army has been helping those battling substance abuse since our founding over 150 years ago. Today, we are continuing this pledge of helping people recover with holistic help at our Adult Rehabilitation Centers and Harbor Light Centers. Our programs include emotional, spiritual, and social services components that focus on the root cause of the struggle. We understand that every person’s addiction is different and has a devastating impact on family and friends-both emotionally and economically-so our program is always no cost to the clients.