Despite Booming Economy, Families Continue to Struggle and Salvation Army Provides Help
According to the Urban Institute in Chicago, despite a healthy economy nearly half of the adult population struggles to afford basic needs. The study was just released and shows that 40 percent of adults 18-65 report they had trouble meeting at least one basic need for food, shelter, utilities or health care in 2017. Among the adults reporting hardships, 60 percent reported two hardships and 35 percent reported three or more hardships. The study points out that policies adjusting requirements for families receiving SNAP benefits, housing vouchers, Medicaid and more – coupled with increased rent and health care cost – will widen these gaps.
The Salvation Army’s mission is to meet people in need wherever they are. We help those who are facing a one-time crisis as well as those who have more complex needs. These are just a few ways the Army is on the front lines of the Fight for Good.
- Homelessness Prevention and Emergency Assistance: The Salvation Army provides emergency assistance to help with mortgage/rent, utility bills, clothing, health care bills and other needs to help keep families in their homes.
- Shield of Hope: The nation’s first Emergency Homeless Assessment and Response Center addresses the needs of families in crisis, and can provide shelter for up to 75 people. The Salvation Army helps families identify more stable living situations within 14 days, and connects them with support services in their new community to better navigate their futures.
- 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 crisis.
- Food Pantries: The Salvation Army has food pantries in more than 25 locations throughout the Chicagoland area. Food boxes may include shelf-stable pantry items, breads, cereals, meat and other household necessities.
- 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.
In addition to emergency support programs, The Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope program helps families identify barriers to self-sufficiency, including under/unemployment, insecure housing, lack of childcare and provides guidance on how to address them. Families are connected with Salvation Army programs and other community support organizations.
Learn more about our programs for those in need and how you can help.