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

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. Call 773.434.0488 for more information.

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 773-358-3200, find a location near you, or learn more online. 

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

Food Pantry
The Salvation Army Adele & Robert Stern Red Shield Center hosts a food pantry on Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and Thursdays 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Food boxes may include shelf-stable pantry items, breads, cereals, meat and other household necessities. Our food pantry closes for the month of December to prepare for Christmas meals and social services.

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.

Senior Programs
The Senior Drop-In program provides an opportunity for seniors to visit with each other in a relaxed atmosphere. Seniors share a potluck meal, work on projects, and volunteer. Sessions are Thursdays, from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

Holiday Meals
The Salvation Army provides Thanksgiving and Christmas meals for families unable to create a special meal themselves. 

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. To register in Head Start and Early Head Start at The Salvation Army Red Shield Center, call 773-358-4650.

After-School Programs
The Salvation Army community center provides after-school programming to give youth and teens a safe place to complete homework, learn new skills and relax with their friends. Teen Corner, designed specifically for youth ages 12 - 17, is open January - May, Monday - Friday, from 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Teen Corner features a game room with arcade games, board games, foosball, table tennis, air hockey and pool. To enroll in the following programs, please call 773-358-3200 or stop by the Red Shield Center.

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. Celebrate Launch and Landing is a weekly mentoring program to support teens and families in one of Chicago's most dangerous neighborhoods. The program provides support and group meetings to address issues related to homelessness, hunger, addiction, violence and more. Teens are also partnered with mentors to help them achieve their goals. The program is held on Wednesdays from 5:00 - 6:00 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.

Recreational, Sports & Fitness Programs
Sports, recreation and fitness programs support the value of health, physical activity and teamwork. Adult Walking Club: Monday - Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m., $2/week or free for fitness center members. Basketball open gym is scheduled based on age group. Call 773-358-3200 for more information. 

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

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 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 crises. Booth Lodge can accommodate as many as 60 families each night.

Senior Apartments
Booth Manor Senior Residences, in Chicago's West Loop, provides attractive, low-income apartments and supportive services for seniors on fixed incomes.

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.

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