MISSION STATEMENT...
The Salvation Army, an International Movement, is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church. 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.
HISTORY...
The Salvation Army came to Baltimore on October 17, 1880, following its beginnings 15 years earlier as an outgrowth of inhumane living conditions in Victorian England. There, in London's poverty-stricken East End, a Methodist minister named William Booth grew impatient with the establishment's inabilities to deal with its increasing homeless and alcoholic population and the injustices the working class suffered
William Booth and his followers realized that to help the city's poor, they had to rehabilitate not only the soul, but the whole person as well, body and mind. In addition to preaching Gospel, Booth became involved in providing food and shelter for the hungry, homeless, and alcohol rehabilitation for the addicted.
The basic social services developed by William Booth have remained an outward visible expression of the Army's strong religious principles. In addition, new programs that address contemporary needs have been established. Among these are disaster relief services, day care centers, summer camps, holiday assistance, emergency and transitional shelters, and alcohol and drug rehabilitation.