Its message is based on the Bible.Its ministry is motivated by the love of God.Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name without discrimination.

350 N Market Street  Wichita, KS 67202

THE SALVATION ARMY

Simone CosperBarbara Banks,Brandy Niblett,

Vasanthan NaliensegremRainee Locke

Date of Visit: 9 Nov. 2012 Time of Visit: 4:00 p.m.Activities: Tour of the transitional housing

program & Interview with the Director of Homeless Services

The Transitional Housing Program of the Salvation Armywas created for families and single women. It includes two

programs: • Emergency Shelter • Long term transitional housing program.

In addition, the agency provides each client with a case manager.

HOMELESS SERVICES

Emergency Shelter • Thirty Day Program

•Includes 18 beds

•Temporary housing

•Includes nine bed rooms, each containing two beds, two dressers and a night stand. Clients staying in the emergency shelter use a community bathroom.

This is a room in the Emergency Shelter. The agency takes precautions to best ensure that each client is comfortable in the facility. Each client MUST have a certain amount of living space. In addition, the agency keeps the rooms clean

and organized.

Long term transitional housing program• Apartment style living facility

• Lasts from 60 days up to 1 year

• Clients live in areas with 1-3 bedrooms, a living room and a bathroom.

These cribs (seen in storage) are waiting to be used by female

clients with a child/expecting a child.

The facility provides children living in the

agency with a play room where “kids make the

rules.”

ALL staff members hired by the Salvation army in the transitional housing unit are required to learn how to cook healthy meals for the residents. The

Salvation Army provides residents food from Olive Garden, Old Chicago, Red Lobster and other local

restaurants.

Case Management Services • An initial assessment of the client's presenting problem and social history• The development of a case plan with the goal of ending the

individual's/family's homeless situation• Linkages/advocacy with other social service providers• Crisis prevention/intervention/stabilization activities• Basic counseling for families/individuals Drug/alcohol assessment, support,

and referrals• Mental health assessment, support, and referrals• Life skills development,• Family educational opportunities/ coordination,• Assessment of vocational/employment history, training, and options, • Discharge plan to facilitate successful reintegration into the community.

What makes the Transitional Housing Unit at the Salvation Army unique? • Participants are addressed from a strengths perspective

and focus is placed on what they want to accomplish, what skills/resources they possess and what attributes make them unique individuals.

• Clients are taught budgeting skills. Once the client no longer needs to live in the housing unit at the Salvation army, he or she has an average of a few thousand dollars saved up.

Group Reaction to the Agency Visit

Collectively, the group was impressed by the services provided by the Salvation Army of Wichita Kansas. We are grateful that single women and mothers (two populations that are very prone to poverty) have a quality shelter to turn to when they are down on their luck for whatever reason (unemployment, domestic abuse, drug addition, etc.). The agency does its best to alter and add services to best serve the ever-changing and diverse needs of clients.

Other Services the Agency Provides to Alleviate Poverty

• Disaster Services • Emergency Social Services

-Back to school supplies and Clothing -Warm hearts winter clothing program -Christmas Assistance Program

• Veterans Services• Youth Residential Services