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Left to right: Salvation Army Major Daniel Henderson, Captain Anya Henderson; Tom Brickley, Salvation Army Advisory Board Chairman; Mindy Silva, Program Officer- Health & Economic Development, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians; Attorney Wilfrid Lemann, Partner Fullerton, Lemann, Schaefer & Dominick, LLP .
SAN BERNARDINO, CA- A $30,000 grant from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians helps the San Bernardino area Salvation Army serve the needs of thousands of hungry, homeless and hopeless people in San Bernardino, Highland, Rialto, Colton, Grand Terrace and Bloomington.
“San Manuel’s funding supported our Emergency Food and Shelter Program,” said Major Daniel Henderson director of the San Bernardino Area Corps. The Salvation Army’s daily food service helps low income and homeless, and their sheltering operation houses homeless families.
“Last year 60,475 free, hot, nutritious meals were served to the hungry from The Salvation Army’s homeless shelter, and Sunday through Friday at 4:45 p.m. at the Corps Office on 746 West 5th Street in San Bernardino,” said Major Henderson.
“We help with more than a meal. We also deliver prayer and God’s love. Other services include help for people in need with counseling, laundry, hot showers and use of bathrooms. The Salvation Army’s daily meals service opens the door for people who want to get off the streets through our shelter programs,” said Major Henderson.
“Homeless families received 12,464 nights of shelter last year. Many supportive services are provided with each night of shelter including: meals, laundry, hot showers, tutoring and case management,” said Anne Metu, MILR, CADC-II director of the Transitional Housing Center.
“The people served at The Salvation Army shelter come from all walks of life. The challenges of homelessness touch all ethnic groups and ages. We serve many single parent families with children, and women without children,” said Metu.
“Men are welcome if they are legally married within the family, or they have sole custody of their minor children. We do not accept single men as the need is so great for women, children and families,” said Metu.
The issue of homelessness continues to disrupt many families in the Inland Empire region. These displaced individuals are thrust into living situations that make them vulnerable to many problems.
Providing emergency services is not an easy undertaking. Displaced families are vulnerable, scared, and often have attitude and behavioral issues upon arrival at the shelter. “Our front-line strategy is to have capable and caring staff to help new arrivals through the entire shelter process from intake to graduation,” said Metu.
The emergency shelter is a 90-day program. The Salvation Army also offers a 24-month transitional program for which people staying at the shelter are eligible.
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available.
Other services offered include: Alcohol and Drug Treatment, Casework Services, Character Building Programs, Christian Education, Clinics Services, Community Recreation & Education Programs, Disaster Services, Emergency Shelter, Food & Nutrition Programs, Group Homes, Group Work Services, Homemaker Services, Men’s Ministries, Military Personnel Assistance, Missing Persons, Music & Arts Programs, Residential Camping Activities, Seasonal Services, Senior Citizens Residences, Transitional Care & Work Release, Transitional Housing, Visitation Services, Women’s Ministries, Worship Services – Church
The Salvation Army works closely with many other agencies to achieve reach the goals of our program. Examples include Stater Bros. Markets, the Arrowhead United Way, San Bernardino County and City School Districts, CAP, and many other businesses and organizations.
For more information in the Salvation Army Emergency Shelter call (909) 888-4880. For information about the emergency meals program call (909) 888-1336.
