Salvation Army Research Paper

Service learning project
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Organizational structure According to Mel (2011), the Salvation Army is an international movement society, which is an evangelical entity of the universal Christian church. The Salvation Army is located in Gainesville, Florida. Its message is founded on the wisdom of the Holy Bible. Its ministry is focused on the need to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through preaching and providing for human needs in Jesus name without biases or discrimination. The Salvation Army is led by a mission to assist people who are in need. The organization runs several programs focused to help the needy. Some of these vital programs are such as adult rehabilitation,
prison ministries, combating human trafficking, searching for missing persons, veteran affair services, and elderly services. The organization also assists communities to address children and family issues, and in this program it provides hunger relief services, homeless and housing services, Christian assistance, youth camps and recreation services and emergency disaster services. The Salvation Army was formed during 1865 in London England by William Booth (Methodist minister) and his wife Catherine (Linda and Sara 2012).
The Booths abandoned their church and started preaching to unwanted people (gamblers, homeless, alcoholics, the wayward, thieves and even prostitutes). The Army, in 1800s, embraced social reforms to understand the relationship between pathological behaviors and poverty. The Army, in 1900s, had spread across the world. It soon formed its soldiers and officers in 36 countries including United States. The Army was well-organized and had flexible structure, and as a result inspired many people who admired its services. During this time, the army ran its first nursery school, initial food depot, and its first missionary health institution. During the Second World War, the Salvation Army ran 3,000 service units owned by the armed forces that resulted into the establishment of the
USO.
Personal experience I worked at the Salvation Army under social service program that catered for the needs of family issues. The Salvation Army is non-profit organization that provides several social services including referral programs. The types and amount of support provided varies depending on the time of the year. However, many struggling families and low-incomers from around Alachua county Florida and Gainesville benefit a lot from the relief services provided by the Salvation Army every month. I offered community services in social service center of the Salvation Army that provides basic healthcare, vocational, educational and counseling services and specific job training to homeless families, vulnerable people and destitute individuals for a considerable period of time.
I helped social workers (who work for the organization) to deliver social services to the needy families who require their wayward children to get assistance. All these services were offered to meet the needs of unemployed youths, wayward juveniles, pregnant teens, vulnerable children and even helpless adults. These family service programs were much important for low-income and poor families. Needy families were given utility bill, rent and food assistance including other help. Family service is the program that was greatly demanded in the society, but only a smaller part of the needs can be fulfilled. Many families were struggling because of poor economic conditions. Due to high unemployment rate, many families were overwhelmed by high cost of living.
I and other volunteers helped to raise funds and donations across communities. We worked in accordance to guiding principles of the Salvation Army by offering direct services to the
needy. Families undergo many problems, and some which are unavoidable because of economic circumstances and family disputes. I worked with people who have divorced due to family conflicts. I also interacted with unemployed people through delivering social services to them. I understand the pain of not afford to pay for medication, buy food or pay rent through the witnesses of the unemployed people. Since all the needs could be met, the Salvation Army only provides some basic needs to helpless people. These are people who cannot afford to pay house rent, buying food and other essential needs. I worked with social workers to identify the needy families, understand the nature of their problems and provide assistance such giving them food, rental support, and basic medical needs. It is through God’s grace to see that the Salvation Army continuously helps poor and homeless families on a daily basis through its disaster relief service, youth programs, emergency services, and social services, yet it is a non-profit organization. Many lives are sustained through charity programs providing for their meals and housing assistance. Otherwise, many families could go hungry or homeless. Many families appreciate the support they receive from local service unit. They feel that the Salvation Army treats them with respect and dignity. They feel that an army of soldiers (from Salvation Army) are fighting for their lives just like Jesus Christ came to fight for humanity. I served in the social service unit where I experienced the opportunities to assist men and women together with children who are spiritually and physically malnourished. The Salvation Army gives people the opportunity where they present themselves without hiding their weaknesses.
Learning experience I personally like being part of the organization which assists others who are challenged in life. I realized that there is a lot that needs to be done especially for the help vulnerable families to sustain their lives. When I interact with community members in Gainesville, I experience that not all families are blessed with prosperous life. There are families that need social care, and we cannot blame them for the problems they are facing because these challenges are based on complex social issues. Many children are marginalized because their parents are unable to cater for their lives. Other individuals suffer from social problems such as prostitution, alcoholism, and waywardness. The society is full many social problems. In order to address them, it is important to start working at the family level. The Salvation Army, being driven by God’s compassion, is working with families to alleviate their socio-economical problems. When these problems are not addressed, children’s lives are at greater risk. I chose to provide community services through volunteering for the Salvation Army because I always have the interest of serving the less fortunate, the destitute family members, and the vulnerable individuals. I have a passion to putting the gospel teachings into practice. My experience at the Salvation Army was great because I had the opportunity to practice the gospel values by working with prostitutes, drunkards, prisoners, street children, the needy and the vulnerable. I learned important lesson in life. Through helping the needy and poor, I realized the true purpose of human life. Human life has a purpose, which can only be achieved through showing compassion of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ showed true compassion by helping the needy people and sinners. Through offering community service by helping those who are less fortunate, I came to understand that it is a true purpose of life. It enabled me to express compassion to the needy.
Conclusion
I love God, and I have compassion to His people. The Salvation Army has been playing a great role in the society to make positive impacts on people’s lives in Gainesville. It is advisable for well-wishers and community members to donate food, clothing, products or any dollar to Salvation Army. The organization will use the donations to assist vulnerable families that need help.

References
Linda, Manikowske and Sara, Sunderlin. 2012. “The Salvation Army store project: professional who make a difference.” Delta Kappa Damma Bulletin, 78(3):12-27.
Mel, Piehl. 2011. “Christianity in action: the international history of the Salvation Army.” The catholic historical review, 97(1): 43-57.