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 Fight Poverty Image

Doing The Most to Fight Poverty

The Salvation Army's holistic programs help alleviate the symptoms of poverty
and address the root issues that cause it.

To keep our clients, staff, and volunteers safe, and in accordance with city and state guidelines, programs and services at The Salvation Army Joliet Corps Community Center are modified until further notice. For the most up-to-date information, please contact us at 815-726-4834. 

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


46.7 million Americans live below the poverty line. 60 million more live one crisis away.

Sadly, children raised in poverty are 32% more likely to remain there, compared to their more fortunate peers.

"Without Salvation Army, I don't know where we'd be. They helped me find a job, clothing, food and somewhere to live."

The Salvation Army is committed to addressing the causes of poverty and helping families address the barriers to success.

The Salvation Army provides resources and support to overcome poverty in our community through:

Pathway of Hope
Pathway of Hope is a comprehensive case management system that helps families identify barriers to self-sufficiency. Such as unemployment, insecure housing, lack of job skills, lack of childcare, etc. Pathway of Hope also helps address these barriers and connects families with community support organizations, and more.

Job Training
The Salvation Army offers job skills training and employment referrals for adults. 

Homelessness Prevention & Emergency Assistance Programs
The Salvation Army provides emergency assistance to help with mortgage/rent, utility bills, clothing, medication bills, and other needs in order to keep families in their homes. For more information or support: contact our Corps Community Center at 815-726-4834, find a location near you, or learn more online.

Food Pantry
The Salvation Army Joliet Corps Community Center hosts a food pantry on Mondays, from Noon - 3:00 p.m. Food distribution provides shelf-stable pantry items, milk, diapers, paper products, hygiene products and other household necessities.  

Meals at Shelters, Facilities & Other Programs
The Salvation Army provides nutritious meals each day for families staying at our shelters, in residential programs, and children enrolled in the Head Start/Early Head Start and camp programs. Most after-school programs also provide a healthy snack.

Holiday Meals
The Salvation Army provides Thanksgiving and Christmas meals for families unable to create a special meal themselves. We host homemade dinners at our facility and provide a Christmas dinner box to struggling families. Each box feeds a family of six, and includes meat, potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, biscuits, cake mix and more. 

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. In addition to work in the computer lab, youth can play sports or games in the gym or recreation room. The program is offered Monday through Friday, from 3:00 - 5:30 p.m.

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. These programs are offered on Wednesdays, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

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 important to provide additional creative outlets for youth, teens and adults to share their experiences, hopes, dreams and fears. Classes for youth are Wednesdays, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Classes for adults are Tuesdays from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m., with dinner at 5:15 p.m.

Recreational, Sports & Fitness Programs
Sports, recreation and fitness programs support the value of health, physical activity and teamwork.

Camp
Wonderland Camp provides week-long summer camp options for youth, teens and seniors with a different theme each week. We also host day camps during school breaks and the summer.

How You and Your Family Can Help
Homelessness is an issue plaguing cities and neighborhoods across the country. Here are some ideas for how to talk with your children about homelessness, how you can help fight poverty, and what you can do to make an impact in your community.

I need help


Poverty doesn't have to be permanent. You can help.


Other Ways We Meet Needs