The Salvation Army Southern California

For more than 120 years The Salvation Army has been delivering services and hope to the less fortunate on the streets of Southern California and to those in shelters, schools, and daycare centers across the Southland. Internationally, it is an organization with a lineage of public service that dates back to 1865, and has evolved over the decades into a social service provider with an unmatched scope and breadth. The Salvation Army currently has representation in 118 different countries worldwide, in addition to nearly 8,000 centers of operation across the United States.

Description:
The Salvation Army is committed to serving men, women and children in need on a daily basis without discrimination, by:

• Providing basic needs services such as food, rental and utility assistance, and case management support for families in distress
• Helping youth overcome a number of obstacles including poverty, violence, overcrowded and failing schools, and the influence of drugs and illegal activities
• Providing a safety-net for homeless individuals looking to make necessary life changes
• Providing supportive services through our homeless programs to veterans and recovering addicts
• Providing basic health services to low-income and homeless individuals
• Providing educational training and skills enhancement to those looking to regain control of their lives, or to children who simply need a helping hand
• Filling a critical need in housing for low-income seniors, as well as assisting them in managing escalating housing costs
• Responding to disasters by ensuring that the most vulnerable members of our community receive shelter, food and assistance in rebuilding their lives
• Measuring, communicating and learning from the impact of our efforts



History:
The Salvation Army began in 1865 when William Booth, a London minister, gave up the comfort of his pulpit and decided to take his message into the streets where it would reach the poor, the homeless, the hungry and the destitute.

His original aim was to send converts to established churches of the day, but soon realized that the poor did not feel comfortable or welcome in the pews of most of the churches and chapels of Victorian England. Regular churchgoers were appalled when these shabbily dressed, unwashed people came to join them in worship.

Booth decided to found a church especially for them - the East London Christian Mission. The mission grew slowly, so William and his wife Catherine expanded their services within the community. They advocated that their mission should be "Soup, Soap and Salvation," then took their mission directly to the streets, helping to feed the hungry, rehabilitate alcoholics and fight teenage prostitution - all while offering spiritual guidance to those most in need.

In 1878, after reading a printer's proof of The Salvation Army's Annual Report, William Booth noticed the statement, "The Christian Mission under the Superintendent of the Reverend William Booth is a volunteer army." Booth crossed out the words "Volunteer Army" and wrote in "Salvation Army." William Booth became the General. Converts became Soldiers. And The Salvation Army became an Army with a mission to meet human needs without discrimination.



Contact person: Emily Parris, Kettle Coordinator, (phone)

Address:


900 W James M Wood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90015 (See a map)


Web Site: http://www.salvationarmy-socal.org

Directions:

There are multiple Salvation Army Corps locations in Ventura County.

Last updated on May 24, 2010