Salvation Army Today

North Texas Command plans mega social service complex

When it opened in 1986, the Carr P. Collins Center in Dallas, Texas became The Salvation Army’s largest social service center anywhere in the world. Each night it houses 475 people, but in emergency situations that number increases to 600. Besides its size, the center revolutionized how The Salvation Army delivered social services by providing a comprehensive, one stop center that met human needs at their most basic levels.
 
After over 40 years of extreme use, a new building and a new vision for service was born. Intensive efforts were made to discover what needs were trending upwards, especially among the most disadvantaged in the North Texas area.
This new facility will focus on housing, workforce development, mental health and medical needs, recovery services for those battling addiction and much more.
 
With an estimated 72,000 annually battling poverty, homelessness, and addiction in Dallas County, the new social service center will be a beacon of hope to the community.
 
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The Salvation Army Disaster Relief training exercises

Recognizing the increasing importance of emergency response efforts after disasters strike, The Salvation Army and the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief of Texas and Florida recently conducted joint training exercises in Dallas and Tampa. These comprehensive, simulation-based training exercises took place to educate Salvation Army disaster professionals on how to set up, maintain, and demobilize specialized equipment used to establish modular centers of operation during a disaster response.
 
During the exercises, disaster relief personnel were trained on how to use the Starlink connectivity system to broadcast information and images from the ground after a disaster hits. The Salvation Army’s EDS team is dedicated to continually improving its response and communication strategies during emergency situations and is leading relief groups in evolving the way information is disseminated during disasters.
 
To learn more about The Salvation Army’s emergency disaster services visit
https://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/

75-year partnership celebrated in Mexico

The Salvation Army opened its work officially in Mexico in 1937. In response to the desperate need of orphans and displaced children, as well as those whose families could not afford to raise them, The Salvation Army responded to help.
In 1954, the first children’s home was dedicated in Mexico City. A total of 16 were eventually established that through the years have been a safe haven and loving home for thousands of children.
 
When a child enters one The Salvation Army’s children’s home, he or she will know that they will be loved, find spiritual nurture and also be given help in many ways so that they have the best chance to live successful lives. Each child is given education, healthcare, emotional support, family counseling as well as being allowed to enjoy being a child.
 
To support this work of The Salvation Army, visit https://sawso.org/
 

The Salvation Army Responds to Drought in Kenya

The unprecedented drought in Kenya, caused by five consecutive below average rainy seasons since the end of 2020, has caused untold human suffering.
Nearly five million people have lacked access to enough water for drinking, cooking and cleaning. These communities have been hard hit by this drought, with the inevitable consequence of livestock deaths, food shortages and malnutrition affecting almost 900,000 children.
The Salvation Army in Kenya responded to the crisis with multiple responses in the country including the provision of food parcels containing rice, beans and cooking oil to more than 4,000 households.
In addition, The Salvation Army has provided personal hygiene items to over 5,000 students.
The Director of The Salvation Army International Emergency Services said, ‘We were able to respond to this humanitarian effort in Kenya thanks to donations from around the world. I am grateful to everyone who enabled The Salvation Army to respond with compassion to the most vulnerable in Kenya during this humanitarian crisis.’
https://salvationarmysoundcast.org/satoday
 
 

The Salvation Army responds after shooting in Allen, Texas

The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services staff and volunteers have provided practical and emotional and spiritual support to first responders and those impacted by the mass shooting in Allen, Texas.
Two Salvation Army units and trained staff deployed to the Family Assistance Center that opened on Monday, May 8th.
The tragic shooting occurred at Allen Premium Outlets in Allen, Texas, on Saturday, May 6th. Nine people were killed and seven were injured.
 
Salvation Army Officer, Lt. Marcos Baco, corps officer in Plano, stated that,
 
“The Salvation Army is privileged to serve in any way possible during this difficult time and of course our prayers go out to all who have been directly impacted by this tragedy. We work and live in this community and so this hits particularly close to home for us,” “The Salvation Army will be here to serve for as long as we are needed.”
 
To learn more about how The Salvation Army is helping those in need after disaster, visit https://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/
 
 
 

The Salvation Army Listens to Stories of Survivors in Shawnee, Oklahoma

The Salvation Army stepped in to help the community of Shawnee Oklahoma after a tornado hit the area, causing significant damage to homes and businesses.
The officers, employees, and volunteers of The Salvation Army have worked tirelessly to provide meals, hydration, emotional and spiritual care to those affected by the disaster.
 
Captain Stacey Connelly, Corps Officer for The Salvation Army, shared stories of survivors who have received aid from the organization.
One woman recounted the harrowing experience of her home being destroyed while she, her husband, and their dog were seeking shelter in a closet. Thanks to the help of neighbors and her son, they were able to find their beloved pet amidst the chaos.
 
Another woman expressed gratitude for The Salvation Army’s consistent support in times of crisis, stating-  “This is the organization that always shows up and is why I always donate to The Salvation Army,”
 
If you would like to support The Salvation Army’s efforts in restoring hope after disaster, visit www.helpsalvationarmy.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY
 

Words of Life Emergency Disaster Services Series

As we head into summer, most of us look forward to vacations, sunshine, seeing family and the kids being out of school. However, with the summer months also comes the threat of severe weather.
The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services has been responding to disasters of all kinds since the early 1900’s.
To highlight the work of The Salvation Army’s Disaster Response, the 15-minute, weekly show, Words of Life will be launching a 5-week series to learn about this crucial ministry beginning this Sunday.
 
Listen to Words of Life on your favorite podcast store or visit https://salvationarmysoundcast.org/wordsoflife
 

A Mission-Minded Store

The Salvation Army’s National Recycling Operations or (NRO) in Canada is more than just a national thrift store chain. NRO is motivated by providing funds for the work of The Salvation Army—work that helps transform communities and people, and shares the love of Jesus.
The need for a mission-minded thrift store isn’t new. William Booth saw this need in his society and created the Household Salvage Brigade, a system that collected unwanted household items and clothing, and redistributed them to the community.
Now, NRO continues with this model, adopting the values of The Salvation Army at every level of its operation, from the friendly and compassionate employees in stores to the territorial fundraising campaigns they contribute to in large numbers.
Across Canada, 98 stores, 115 donor welcome centers, 11 distribution centers and more than 1,900 employees mobilize to give hope, provide meaningful and dignified service, and steward resources to make a better Salvation Army and a better environment.
 
To learn more, visit thriftstore.ca

Salvation Army Community Garden

To teach participants how to grow their own vegetables, The Salvation Army’s Community Church in Belleville, Ontario, in cooperation with the Community Development Council, organizes the community garden initiative each spring.
Since the incorporation of The Salvation Army’s garden in 2017, members of the program have raised 24 vegetable-rich garden beds, a skill that can prevent food insecurity.
While participants of the garden initiative can keep the vegetables they grow, some of them share the harvest with others who may be in need.
In addition to the benefits that come with maintaining a garden, one participant stated that getting involved in this program also brings togetherness within the local community.
 

AT&T Connected Learning Center Opens at The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army NW Community Center in Palm Beach County has established a new AT&T Connected Learning Center to assist in narrowing the digital divide.
This initiative provides free access to a variety of resources, such as high-speed Fiber internet, Wi-Fi, Dell Technologies computers, and educational resources for youth, families, and seniors. AT&T employees will also provide tutoring and mentoring services to those in need.
To further support digital inclusion in underserved communities, Dell Technologies has donated Dell OptiPlex computers and monitors with integrated audio and webcams to support virtual learning. In addition, World Wide Technology, the largest minority supplier of IT services worldwide, is providing installation and configuration services.
To learn more about AT&T Connected Learning, please visit att.com/connectedlearning. For information about The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County, visit https://salvationarmyflorida.org/westpalmbeach.