Although The Salvation Army was determined to be an essential organization, their adult rehabilitation centers have had to operate understaffed during COVID-19.
The pandemic forced The Salvation Army to lay off some employees due to mandatory shutdowns to help protect the health and safety of their beneficiaries, interns, staff, and volunteers.
“Seeing people lose their jobs during a pandemic was especially disheartening,” said Denise Voss, grant writer.
Nigel Campbell, a graduate of The Salvation Army’s one-year rehabilitation program, said, “I think the most disheartening thing about the COVID-19 restrictions are that they increased homelessness. If the Salvation Army has to limit its occupants, then not only are they forced to lay off workers, but the beds that are not filled means more people are on the street.”
The Salvation Army began in 1865 in London, England as a Christian rescue mission to convert “thieves, prostitutes, and drunkards” into disciples of Christ, according to the organization’s website.
Today, The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the Christian church, is an international movement located in over 100 countries, with 18 locations across the U.S. Western Territories.
The Salvation Army aims to help men and women who struggle with homelessness and substance abuse. Their programs provide food, shelter, clothing, health care, counseling, and rehabilitation services as they work to combat the root causes of prolonged alcohol and drug dependence.
The Salvation Army’s occupancy is not full due to quarantine limitations, however, the COVID-19 health crisis has allowed for extra time to reorganize, regroup and recalibrate their programs.
In a normal year, the West Coast locations house over 1,800 people. equating to over 650,000 nights of shelter and two million meals. This year, those numbers will be lower due to government restrictions.
Locally, The Salvation Army of Long Beach houses up to 92 individuals seeking rehabilitation. The organization is one of the few places that offers a no fee 6-12 months residential program for men and women ages 21 – 65.
“We did not close our adult rehabilitation centers despite the cost to operate them, and since March, we have reopened most of our stores. Our house counts are starting to increase as we continue to recuperate from the effects of the pandemic and adjust to the new normal,” said Voss.
While The Salvation Army’s housing has been restricted, their thrift stores are thriving, with an increase in clothing donations.
The primary source of revenue for The Salvation Army are sales generated by donated clothing and household goods from the public.
However, in March 2020, as COVID-19 spread across the country, The Salvation Army had to pause retail operations and temporarily close four Salvation Army Family Stores in Long Beach.
Now that the thrift stores are back in business, the organization urges people to continue donating clothes and household goods by dropping into one of their locations. In addition, monetary donations are appreciated as well. give.classy.org/longbeacharc