Restoring Hope in Kensington: Video

The Salvation Army Greater Philadelphia is among a number of agencies partnering with the City of Philadelphia to provide hope and transform lives of individuals and families living in Kensington and Fairhill. These neighborhoods are being held hostage by the heroin epidemic. On a blistering hot day in July, a team of Salvation Army Greater Philadelphia volunteers headed out with city workers to the area around Hope Park near East Indiana and Ella Streets. This is how community outreach can begin the healing:

Persistence Pays Forward

On the day Shelley Mihalik met Catherine Ashley and her daughter, the two had come to The Salvation Army office in Honesdale to ask for help with clothing. Summer was turning into fall and neither Catherine nor Catie had any long sleeves or outerwear to protect them from the chill in the air. As the three spoke, it became clear to Shelley that they needed much more than warm clothes. Catherine and Catie needed a home.

Shelley is the architect of The Salvation Army’s Journey of Hope. The program in Honesdale is designed to provide scaffolding to help clients like Catherine and Catie rebuild their lives. Journey of Hope engages and supports clients while they develop life skills and resources to ultimately succeed on their own.

The Salvation Army of Reading Seeks Volunteers for After-School Program

The Salvation Army of Reading is in need of volunteers for its after-school program.  Up to 70 children in first through ninth grade are enrolled in the program, which is open Monday through Friday, 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm, at The Salvation Army of Reading on S. 5^th Street.

“Volunteers are especially valuable to our after-school program,” said Lt. Ted Tressler, Co-Commanding Officer, The Salvation Army of Reading. “They aide the program managers with daily activities and provide the children with mentorship and leadership.”

Norristown Choice Pantry: Feeding Body & Soul

Chelsea Johnson puts on her Salvation Army apron and smiles. She starts to open boxes of fresh fruit on the counter, as her mom, Donna Goodwin, organizes paperwork.  They volunteer together every week. Donna’s sister Joyce glances over the shelves stacked with canned goods and non-perishable foods. As the Pantry Coordinator, she wants to make sure everything is in place as they ready to open the door of the Choice Pantry on this Wednesday morning.

“Everybody needs help. We do what needs to be done. It’s God’s work,” says Donna.

The Salvation Army of Carlisle Launches Creative Arts & Volunteer Program for Local Youth

Sarah Swahlon, Upper Room program participant in a local stage production

The Salvation Army of Carlisle has kicked-off a new program to engage local youth through the arts and volunteerism. It is called The Upper Room, a nod to where the young people gather to socialize at The Salvation Army on East Pomfret Street.  The Upper Room provides free creative arts training, such as drama and dance, for individuals ages 15 to 22. Drama classes are led by Brad Cain, The Salvation Army of Eastern PA & DE’s Creative Arts Director, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Acting.

“This is a place where you can come to dig deeper into your talents and meet other people who want to grow,” said Cain.

September 11, 2001: Fifteen Years Later – Never Forget

Remembering The Salvation Army’s Response to The 9/11 Attacks

On September 11, 2001, a series of coordinated terrorist attacks on passenger airliners left thousands dead and hundreds of thousands more in need. The Salvation Army was closely involved with the recovery process for survivors in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. following the tragic events of 9/11.

 The Response

Arriving within a half-hour of the first plane hitting the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City, The Salvation Army was one of the first relief organizations to arrive on the scene at “Ground Zero” and provided extensive support for relief workers and volunteers. The Army continued to support recovery efforts throughout the months-long clean-up process. In the months and years that followed, The Salvation Army assisted thousands of people impacted by the September 11 attacks with practical assistance as well as spiritual and emotional care.

Serving up Hope and Smiles in a Sand Box

June 2016

The grassy fenced-in area on the corner of Broad and Brown Streets is somewhat of a special place for families at the Red Shield Residence. The Salvation Army Greater Philadelphia‘s transitional housing program is safe, loving, respectful and compassionate, providing families in crisis with shelter and services as they strive towards self-sufficiency. The yard next to the building is a space where families can let their kids play and enjoy some outdoor time together there as they navigate a difficult time in their lives. However in recent years, it was in need of some love and attention.