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 The Salvation Army officially dedicated the Naples Corps on February 1, 1981 and the Naples Family Services Center on the Estey Avenue campus was dedicated on January 24, 1993.
Originally serving the local community as a Family Shelter, Emergency Social Services and Disaster Services, in 2004 a feasibility study determined the need for additional Child Care options and the Shelter became the Child Care Center with affordable day care and after school programs.
In addition to offering high quality Day Care for up to 82 children aged 1 through 5, there are After-School programs for children in local schools. We also offer two Summer Day Camp programs; one for ages 6 - 12 and the TLC Summer Day Camp for Teens from age 13 - 16. These programs are offered in addition to many others, including:
* Christmas Cheer Program
* Disaster Services
* Emergency Social Services
* Holiday Food & Toy Distribution
* Music School
* Religious Services (click here for church events)
* Senior Citizens Program
* Teen Youth Group
See a complete list of programs by clicking here. |
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History of The Salvation Army
 William Booth embarked upon his ministerial career in 1852, desiring to win the lost multitudes of England to Christ. He walked the streets of London to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the poor, the homeless, the hungry, and the destitute.
Booth abandoned the conventional concept of a church and a pulpit, instead taking his message to the people. His fervor led to disagreement with church leaders in London, who preferred traditional methods. As a result, he withdrew from the church and traveled throughout England, conducting evangelistic meetings. His wife, Catherine, could accurately be called a cofounder of The Salvation Army.
In 1865, William Booth was invited to hold a series of evangelistic meetings in the East End of London. He set up a tent in a Quaker graveyard, and his services became an instant success. This proved to be the end of his wanderings as an independent traveling evangelist. His renown as a religious leader spread throughout London, and he attracted followers who were dedicated to fight for the souls of men and women.
Thieves, prostitutes, gamblers, and drunkards were among Booth's first converts to Christianity. To congregations who were desperately poor, he preached hope and salvation. His aim was to lead people to Christ and link them to a church for further spiritual guidance.
To learn more about the history of this international movement, please visit www.salvationarmy.org.
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