The Salvation Army Lake County

 

The Salvation Army started its work in Lake County, Indiana in 1911.  What began as a small outlet for community service in Gary has evolved into a multifaceted program with service centers in three areas of Lake County.  In addition, The Salvation Army of Lake County provides services for men with addictions and other disabilities at our Adult Rehabilitation Program in Gary, Indiana. 

The Salvation Army Emergency Assistance program provides assistance with rent, utilities, clothing or furniture to families who are facing temporary emergency needs.  Families who have long-term assistance needs are enrolled in the Pathway of Hope program, which partners them with a case manager who helps them identify and overcome their barriers to success.  The program is aimed at breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty and moving families beyond survival to self-sufficiency. 

Hunger affects millions of people and studies have shown that one in six individuals are food insecure, they don't know when or where their next meal will be.  Families who are struggling to place a meal on the table each day have access to food pantries, and can visit them on a regular basis for nutritious food staples including canned goods, fruits, vegetables and healthy whole grains. 

The Salvation Army offers a broad range of educational and enrichment programs for youth, providing a safe haven with positive alternatives. 

The following is a brief summary of services provided in 2013

• Over 7,000 persons assisted with basic necessities - food, clothing, furnishings, rent & utility assistance.  These services are provided as part of the funding for the Comprehensive Emergency Assistance by the United Way.
• 22,000 plus meals served at our East Chicago feeding program, which was a 25% increase from the previous year. 
• There was a total attendance of 14,000 character development, sports and turoring programs for youth. 

 

This past Christmas, The Salvation Army helped move a family towards self-sufficiency through its Adopt-a-Family program.  The mother was unemployed and in need of a job, but she came to The Salvation Army simply to receive toys and food for Christmas.  The Salvation Army selected the family to be adopted through the Adopt-a-Family program and was able to not only help her provide a wonderful Christmas for her family, but helped her find a job referral through the organization that adopted her family. 

Whether it is through a simple Christmas toy program, the food pantry, or the youth programs, The Salvation Army promises to do the most good with the resources they have in order to help families move towards hope.