SALVATION ARMY HOMELESS PROGRAM

By: Brandy

Social Work Graduate Student

PROGRAM HISTORY

The Salvation Army Emergency Lodge of Wichita, Kansas,

which was established in 1985, was designed to assist

families and youth who were in crisis, homeless, and

without other resources (financial, family, community). The

original 24 bed facility was renovated in 1993 and the

facility’s capacity was expanded to 40 in order to respond

to the growing community demand for services for this

population.

PROGRAM HISTORY

In 1995, The Salvation Army, in cooperation with

Episcopal Social Services and Mennonite Housing,

established a Transitional Housing Program for

Families and single Women. Currently, 18 beds are

allocated for emergency shelter, while the remaining

24 beds are designated for the longer term

transitional housing program.

PROGRAM HISTORY

The Emergency Lodge offers an environment where

families can begin to move beyond the crisis they are

experiencing and begin to regain control over their own

lives. While at the Emergency Lodge, families are taught

the skills they will need to live independently, given the

opportunity to secure an income, offered the time to

develop (or re-develop) a community support system and

be empowered to reintegrate into the community.

INTERVIEW

JANE’S STORY

Jane is a 30 year old white female with three children

Jane came to live at the Salvation Army Homeless Shelter

on August 25th, 2012.

She lived in the emergency shelter side for over three

months and recently in the past two weeks moved over to

the transition housing side.

She has a two bedroom room with her own bathroom

currently and shares a kitchen with other residents.

Jane was married and is now separated from her husband.

They had three children together, all of which reside with Jane. She has a 2yr old son, 6yr old daughter, and 8yr old daughter (who has CP).

The older two girls are both in school full time (1st grade and 2nd grade).

Jane has a history of childhood trauma and abuse from her stepfather (Which her mother is still married to today).

Jane’s ex has a history of drug and alcohol abuse.

Jane has self medicated in the past with alcohol and amphetamines.

Jane is currently receiving services through Salvation Army as well as Miracles (Substance Abuse).

INCOME

$

432/month in cash assistance

$

580/month in food assistance

C

hild Care

$

134/month per school aged child (Latchkey)

$

308/month day care credit for 2yr old

O

ccasional Temp Employment, looking for part time work

3

0% of her income is placed into a savings account each month through the Salvation Army to help

her save and prepare for transitioning back into the community.

ISSUES AND PROBLEMS

J

ane’s family is very dysfunctional and non supporting.

H

er family has turned her into DCF several times for being homeless and not

properly providing for her children.

S

he is currently involved with DCCCA services due to several DCF reports from

her family.

J

ane struggles with her past trauma and is afraid to seek therapy for this.

J

ane has struggled with substance abuse in the past.

HOPES AND DREAMS

J

ane has completed one year of college and currently

has a CNA license.

S

he had dreams of becoming a Radiography

C

urrently she would like to pursue getting her LPN