$500 prevents eviction for one household by paying housing or utility bills through The Salvation Army’s Emergency Assistance program.
The Salvation Army National Capital Area Command
The Salvation Army, one of the largest providers of direct social services in the United States, began its work in Washington, DC in June of 1885. From the beginning, The Salvation Army created programs to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and provide counseling and support to those most in need of help. As these needs grew, so did the number of locations and variety of services available to the community. The National Capital Area Command was established in 2006 with programs in facilities throughout the Washington metropolitan region. Our service area includes the District of Columbia; the Maryland counties of Montgomery and Prince George’s; and in Virginia, the City of Alexandria; and Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William counties. We are committed to serving, without discrimination, the most vulnerable residents at their time of greatest need.
The Salvation Army focuses its services to meet the unique needs of people from low-income households. We provide social services and a variety of enrichment programs for children and adults, families and individuals who are economically disadvantaged, who are at risk of becoming homeless, or are experiencing homelessness. We traditionally serve households whose income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline; many are at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Guideline. Our social services provide both immediate and long-term strategies – offering crisis intervention for immediate emergencies and case management and support for the long-term, so that families and individuals can move from crisis and poverty to greater self-sufficiency, stability, and well-being.
As the Washington Metropolitan Area experiences the impact of COVID-19, The Salvation Army services are more important than ever as a critical safety net for people living on the margins of society. The Salvation Army’s Emergency Assistance Program (EMAST) provides rental and utility assistance to prevent evictions and homelessness, and food relief with both groceries from our food pantries and gift cards, as well as clothing and furniture vouchers and other supports for families in crisis such as summer camp for youth; and seasonal and holiday assistance, including the Angel Tree Program – a holiday gift program that provides gifts for children of low-income families. The Turning Point Center for Women and Children offers a path to increased income, permanent housing, and family stability for young single women with children. There are character-building and enrichment opportunities for children and youth; social and optional spiritual support opportunities for adults and families, and disaster relief efforts. Families with children can also participate in Pathway of Hope, a nationwide Salvation Army initiative that provides ongoing case management targeted to the special needs and goals of each family.
The Salvation Army operates 10 Corps Community Centers throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area. Each Corps tailors its programs to the needs of the local community. The Corps are a welcoming gateway to all our service. The Salvation Army’s mission and work is motivated by the love of God to meet human needs without discrimination.
Our vision is that the Washington, DC area will be a place where people of all ages live in safe and sustainable communities where differences are respected and people are empowered to learn, work and worship in freedom.
Our goal is to meet human needs by providing quality social service programs, exercising exemplary stewardship, engaging donor and funder investments to address the growing demand for services, and partnering with the best volunteer leadership through our National Capital Area Command Advisory Board to advance the mission of the organization.
Donate Through Workplace Giving
One of the best ways to support our work is to take advantage of recurring payroll deduction donations through your employer's workplace giving program (or the Combined Federal Campaign if you're a Federal employee). With recurring payroll deduction, you can have just a little bit of money automatically deducted from your paycheck each pay period over the course of a year, adding up to make a big difference for us - and providing us with a source of funds we can rely on to operate and focus on our mission. And don't forget to check - if your company offers to match donations you can double your impact! If your employer does not have a payroll deduction campaign, does not match gifts, or does not offer the choice of giving to our organization, ask about bringing America's Charities to your workplace. America's Charities works with employers to develop employee-friendly, cost-effective workplace giving campaigns that benefit charities like ours.
