The Salvation Army Needs Your Help to Change Lives.

The Salvation Army Meets the Greatest Need in Our Community by Providing Help & Hope to Our Most Vulnerable Neighbors.

COVID-19 / Coronavirus Response
In these times of uncertainty, we stand strong, providing hope and help to those who need it. From emergency assistance to free food and home goods pantries, to providing shelter and meals, to lending an ear through our emotional and spiritual support hotline, to supporting local government and first responders, we remain here to serve. We continue to protect our volunteers, donors, clients, staff and other supporters by following CDC and local government requirements. Learn more about our "new normal".

Emergency Assistance & Homelessness Prevention 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, find a location near you, or learn more online.

Pathway of Hope
A comprehensive case management system 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.

Job Training
The Salvation Army offers job skills training and employment referrals for adults. This program is included in the substance rehabilitation program, and through some Salvation Army community centers. Despite progress toward hiring equality, marginalized groups often lack access to educational resources, counseling services, and vocational training to help them obtain well-paying jobs.

Senior Well-Being Checks
The Salvation Army partners with the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) to provide well-being checks for seniors in Chicago. A worker will be sent out to check on the senior and help link the senior to needed services. To request a senior well-being check, call the DFSS Senior Services Division at 312-744-4016.

Grandparents or Older Relatives Raising Children Program
The Salvation Army partners with the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) to provide services to adults 55 and older who are caring for a relative child under 18 or a loved one with a disability. The services offered include support groups, individual and family counseling, educational programs, and financial assistance to help with essential needs for the children. Call the DFSS Senior Services Division at 312-744-4016 for a referral.

The Salvation Army is Doing the Most Good for the most vulnerable.

The Salvation Army is ready to help individuals and families in every zip code in America. We’re here in your community to help invest in our kids, care for seniors, love all of our neighbors, and provide hope for communities of color. Because this is our neighborhood, too.

Food Pantries & Meals
59% of people seeking food assistance choose between buying food and paying rent or mortgage. With CDC guidelines and best practices in mind, our food pantries and other free meal programs remain open. The Salvation Army has food pantries throughout the Chicagoland area and partners with several food banks. Boxes may include shelf-stable pantry items, breads, cereals, meat and other household necessities. Senior and community meals are available in to-go boxes or food delivery as necessary.

Shelters & Residential Treatment Facilities
About 15 percent of the homeless population is comprised of "chronically homeless" individuals. And last year, more than 8 million Americans slid into poverty due to COVID-19. With a presence in nearly every zip code, we're helping neighbors who are most in need to regain their footing and find hope again. Our homeless diversion programs and shelters provide safe housing, food, spiritual support, substance use treatment, medical care, and other practical assistance needed.

Mobile Feeding & Homeless Outreach
The Salvation Army makes more than 25 stops every day to provide hot meals, case management, and mental health and substance abuse services to the homeless with our Mobile Outreach program. We are ready to assist those interested in leaving the streets. Download the Mobile Outreach schedule.

Head Start, After-School Care, Character-Building, & Mentoring Programs
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. We provide after-school programming to give youth and teens a safe place to complete homework, learn new skills and relax with their friends. 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.

Music, Visual & 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.

Recreational, Sports & Fitness Programs
Sports, recreation and fitness programs help people of all ages learn the value of health, physical activity and teamwork.

Camp
Wonderland Camp provides summer camp options for families, youth, and seniors. We also host day camps during school breaks and the summer.

The Salvation Army brings hope to the hopeless.

The Salvation Army stands ready to help individuals and families in every zip code in America. We’re here in your community to help families overcome barriers to self-sufficiency including job training and referrals, combat hunger, and more. Your support today provides hope and help to a family in despair.

Pathway Forward
When individuals are released from prison, they often have no job prospects, no housing, and no family or community support structure. It can take many months for them to successfully make the transition back into society. Our Pathway Forward program provides them with a structured, gradual re-entry process in a safe and secure environment, as well as an alternative to living on the street and returning to a life of crime.

Partner Abuse Intervention
We offer a Partner Abuse Intervention Program for adults who have perpetrated physical, verbal or social abuse on their partners. The program helps individuals identify their abusive patterns, become accountable for 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.

Talking About Poverty
Homelessness and poverty are plaguing cities and neighborhoods across the country more than ever. 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.

You Can Help Us Meet the Greatest Need in Your Community

The Salvation Army is Doing the Most Good for struggling individuals and families in every zip code in America.

Other Ways We Meet Needs