Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good

Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter a valid email address
Please enter a valid zip code
VolunteerVolunteer in this community
Ways we helpWays we help in this community
DonateDonate to this community
How you can helpHow you can help in this community
Hear moreHear more from this community

Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good

Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter a valid email address
Please enter a valid zip code
Doing The Most to Help Families Image

Doing The Most to Help Families

The Salvation Army Helps Make Families Whole.
We open our arms and our hearts to give families the support they need to grow together and thrive.

 

Click here to learn more about local and national Coronavirus (COVID-19) relief efforts.

Across the US, 11.3 million children take care of themselves after the school day ends.

Through our community center and social services, we equip families with the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual support they need to foster better, brighter futures.

"The Salvation Army taught me how to advocate for my family and access other services. And that we're not alone."

The Salvation Army meets families wherever they are in life and help them move to a more self-sufficient and productive path.

The Salvation Army equips families in our community through:

Character-Building & Mentoring Programs
Weekly scout-style and mentoring programs are designed to support youth and teens as they navigate their world and grow into adulthood. Topics addressed can include bullying, peer pressure, making a positive impact on the community, family life and more. At The Salvation Army Crossgenerations Corps Community Center, our Youth Alive & Character-building program is designed for youth in grades kindergarten through high school and is held Thursdays at 5-6 p.m., September through May. 

After-School Programs
The Salvation Army community centers provide after-school programming to give youth and teens a safe place to complete homework, learn new skills and relax with their friends. Kids Club is held from September through May on Thursday afternoons; 3-4 p.m. Homework Help and snack, 4-5 p.m. University of Illinois Educational Activities.

Youth Music, Visual and Dramatic Education
The Salvation Army is the largest music educator in the world, with offerings in brass, vocal, guitar, drums and more. It is essential to provide additional creative outlets for children and teens to share their experiences, hopes, dreams, and fears. At Crossgenerations, our music classes are Wednesdays from 5-7 p.m. Registration through front desk is required. 

Recreational, Sports & Fitness Programs
Physical fitness is essential for a healthy body and a healthy outlook on life. The Salvation Army Crossgenerations Corps Community Center has a weight room and offers additional fitness activities including basketball, climbing wall, and Zumba classes. The facility also provides lockers and showers for participants. 

  • Fitness Schedule
    • Monday - Friday
      • 7:00AM - 8:00PM
    • Saturdays
      • 8:00AM - 2:00PM
  • Zumba Schedule
    • Monday - Friday
      • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
  • Membership Pricing Information

Food Pantry
The Salvation Army Crossgenerations Food Pantry provides shelf-stable pantry items, bread, cereals, meat, and other household necessities, and is open Wednesdays, from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. The Pantry functions on a first come first served basis. However, all our clients receive the same kind and amount of goods every time. Individuals and families should bring ID, proof of address, paycheck stub, and documents to prove family dependent(s) on the first visit. We also ask that our clients visit once every 30 days to allow other people to benefit from this service as well. 

Pathway of Hope
A comprehensive case management system, Pathway of Hope to help families identify barriers to self-sufficiency (unemployment, insecure housing, lack of job skills, lack of childcare, etc.), Pathway of Hope also provides guidance, on how to address these barriers and connects families with community support organizations, and more.

Senior Programming
The Salvation Army Crossgenerations Corps Community Center has a vibrant senior community with fellowship opportunities daily. 

  • Lunch: Monday - Friday, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. 
    • The Salvation Army Crossgenerations provides nutritious meals during the week for seniors and families.
    • Meals range from sandwiches to hot entrees and include vegetables, fruit, and milk.
    • Cost for seniors is $2, adults $5.50
  • Walking Club: Monday - Friday, 1 - 2 p.m.
  • Bingo: Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 12:30 p.m.
  • Jewelry Making: Tuesday, 1 p.m.
  • Cards: Thursday, at 9 a.m.
  • Chess Club: Thursday, 12:30 p.m.

Head Start & Early Head Start
Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide young children and their families a chance to learn in an educational and creative environment. Programs also meet the needs of teen mothers and homeless families.

Shield of Hope
The Shield of Hope is the nation's first Emergency Homeless Assessment and Response Center, which provides emergency shelter and helps families identify more stable living situations within two weeks. When families move, they are connected with community support services to navigate their futures better.

Evangeline Booth Lodge
The Evangeline Booth Lodge is an emergency shelter for families with children who suddenly become homeless due to eviction, disasters, domestic violence, stranded while traveling, or other crises. Booth Lodge can accommodate as many as 60 families each night.

Homelessness Prevention & Emergency Assistance Programs
The Salvation Army provides emergency assistance to help with mortgage/rent, utility bills, clothing, medication bills, and other needs to keep families in their homes. The Salvation Army Crossgenerations Social Services department is open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., by appointment only. For more information or to make an appointment, please call us at 708-332-0100. To receive assistance from The Salvation Army Crossgenerations Corps Community Center, you must live in our service area zip codes 60655, 60803, 60445, 60472, 60469, 60427 (Calumet Park only)** and have a verifiable economic or personal crisis. Documents needed for appointments are as follows:

  1. Picture ID
  2. Social Security cards for household
  3. Proof of income
  4. Rental lease or mortgage paperwork
  5. Bills & receipts of payments towards the bills
  6. Proof of any other assistance received
  7. Reports from Fire Dept, FEMA or Red Cross (if a victim of a fire or flood)

**For emergency assistance outside these areas, you may also contact a different Corps Community Center or Service Extension Units (partner organizations/agencies) by searching for the location nearest you.

Partner Abuse Intervention
The Salvation Army offers a Partner Abuse Intervention Program for adults who have perpetrated physical, verbal or social abuse on their partners. The program helps men identify their abusive patterns, become accountable for the behavior, change beliefs that support the behavior and learn how to interact with their partners in non-abusive ways. The program is open to those who must receive court-mandated treatment, as well as those looking to stop the behaviors before the police and court system get involved. Call 773.960.3292 for more information.

I need help

Broken families can be healed. You can help.

$500 $250 $100 $50

Other Ways We Meet Needs