San Manuel Helps Salvation Army Serve 60,475 Meals and 12,464 Nights Of Shelter
Volunteers help serve 60,475 free, hot, nutritious meals were served to the hungry from The Salvation Army’s homeless shelter, and Sunday through Friday at 4:45 p.m. at the Corps Office on 746 West 5th Street in San Bernardino
(San Bernardino, CA) A $28,000 grant from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has enabled the San Bernardino area Salvation Army serve the needs of thousands of hungry, homeless and hopeless people in San Bernardino, Highland, Rialto, Colton, Grand Terrace and Bloomington.
“San Manuel’s funding supported two major activities that are a part of our Emergency Food and Shelter Program,” said Major Daniel Henderson director of the San Bernardino Area Corps. The two activities include the Salvation Army’s daily food service to the low income and homeless, and our sheltering operation for families.
“It is incredibly uplifting to see, year-after-year, so many people helped by The Salvation Army,” said San Manuel Chairperson Carla Rodriguez. “It is the life-changing power of Yawa’ (Serrano word meaning “to act on one’s beliefs”) that we celebrate with the grant to the Salvation Army.”
“Last year 60,475 free, hot, nutritious meals were served to the hungry from The Salvation Army’s homeless shelter, and Sunday through Friday at 4:45 p.m. at the Corps Office on 746 West 5th Street in San Bernardino,” said Major Henderson.
Salvation Army Major Daniel henderson shares Christmas dinner with a family at he Corps office. A $20,000 Donation from the San Manuel Tribe of Mission Indians helped serve 60,475 Meals to those in need in last year.
“Homeless families received 12,464 nights of shelter last year. Many supportive services are provided with each night of shelter including: meals, laundry, hot showers, tutoring and case management,” said Anne Metu, MILR, CADC-II director of the Transitional Housing Center.
“This is really is a community effort,” says Anne Metu. “I feel privileged to be apart of such a wonderful team that is dedicated to helping improve the lives of those who are less fortunate and going through a difficult time.”
Many people believe the Salvation Army shelter only accepts women and children. But that’s not true. “Men are welcome if they are legally married within the family, or they have sole custody of their minor children. We do not accept single men as the need is so great for women, children and families,” said Metu.
The issue of homelessness continues to disrupt many families in the Inland Empire region. These displaced individuals are thrust into living situations that make them vulnerable to many problems.
“Without safety, proper daily rest and food, health begins to decline. Anxiety caused by the uncertainty of finding needed resources causes fatigue, stress, and the break down of vital family relationships,” said Metu.
The Salvation Army works with each homeless or transitional housing client to set up a Self Improvement Plan that will move his or her family toward future independence within a stable independent housing setting.
The San Bernardino County Point-in-Time Counts of homeless people continued to document the high numbers of persons suffering with homelessness in our region. Many more children are included in these counts and homelessness contributes greatly to a child’s poor self-esteem and poor performance in educational areas.
Providing emergency services is not an easy undertaking. Displaced families are vulnerable, scared, and often have attitude and behavioral issues upon arrival at the shelter. “Our front-line strategy is to have competent and caring staff to help new arrivals through the entire shelter process from intake to graduation,” said Metu.
The emergency shelter is a 90-day program. The Salvation Army also offers a 24-month transitional program for which people staying at the shelter are eligible.
During a shelter stay, families must verify that all school age children are enrolled. Parents are given the opportunity meet with a counselor to set up a Self Improvement Plan to prepare them to re-enter an independent living situation.
“Clients must demonstrate their progress daily toward achieving the goals they have set up within the plan. Clients must save a portion of their income while in the shelter to assure that adequate funds will be available upon their departure from the program,” said Major Henderson.
“Our methods are holistic in nature, said Metu. “It is our strategy to help the individual/family access educational resources, health assessments and treatment, and a variety of community based providers.”
“We applaud the Salvation Army that has worked to serve more children and families as needs have grown during the recent recession. We are pleased that our contribution has helped to ease the suffering of so many,” said Rodriguez.
The Salvation Army works closely with many other agencies to achieve reach the goals of our program. Examples include the Arrowhead United Way, SB County and City School Districts, CAP, and many other businesses and organizations.
For more information in the Salvation Army Emergency Shelter call (909) 888-4880. For information about the emergency meals program call (909) 888-1336.
About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church, and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. The San Bernardino Corps of The Salvation Army serves Bloomington, Colton, Grand Terrace, Highland, Rialto, and San Bernardino. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY. Our local number is (909) 888-1336.
About the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
The San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians is a federally recognized American Indian tribe located near the city of Highland, Calif. The Serrano Indians are the indigenous people of the San Bernardino highlands, passes, valleys and mountains who share a common language and culture. The San Manuel reservation was established in 1891 and recognized as a sovereign nation with the right of self-government. As an indigenous community the origins and history of the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians stem from our relationship with the land and to all who share it. Since ancient times we have expressed ourselves through a culture of giving. Today, San Manuel is able to answer the call of Yawa’ (Serrano word meaning “to act on one’s beliefs”) through partnerships with charitable organizations. We have drawn upon our history, knowledge, expertise and cultural values to direct our philanthropic giving in our local region, as well as to Native American causes nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.sanmanuel-nsn.gov.
About San Manuel’s Charitable Giving Program
San Manuel’s charitable giving program supports organizations that provide services in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Applications are also accepted from Tribal Governments and Tribal nonprofit organizations throughout the United States. Resources are directed within four areas of program focus to benefit these communities and improve quality of life for adults, children and families. Giving priorities include Education, Health, Economic Development and Special Projects. Applications in each area are considered through the lens of demonstrated community need, and an organization’s capacity to meet that need.
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