Nashville, TN - The Salvation Army is announcing a new transitional work placement program that will be offered to homeless men in the Nashville Community beginning June 2012. Operation Bootstraps will open its doors to homeless men, giving priority to men in recovery. The program will offer case management and life skills classes to move men from crisis situations to stability and independence.
The new Operation Bootstraps program will replace The Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Center that has served the Nashville community since 1900. The rehabilitation program assisted men with alcohol or drug dependence find the tools to live drug and alcohol free.
For more than 10 years the Adult Rehabilitation Center program has not been able to generate enough income to cover its cost of operations. The flood of 2010 crippled the already struggling program with the loss of its thrift store, warehouse and 80 bed facility on N First Street.
The local Salvation Army administration, with the support of its Advisory Board, has reassessed the needs of the community, to ensure the organization remains good stewards of our donations. This comes with the announcement that The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center and Family Thrift Stores will close effective June 1st.
The main difference between the two programs is that The Salvation Army will no longer operate the family thrift stores or make clothing and furniture pickups. Lt. Col. Charles White, Area Commander for The Salvation Army explained, "We will need to solely rely on community funding partners like Metro United Way and thousands of supporters who send donations by mail as well as foundations who have an interest in this vital service to men to provide the financial support to provide this critical service."
"From the beginning of The Salvation Army in 1865, our Mission has been to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human need without discrimination. Our meeting human need has taken many forms ' adapting through the years to provide the most effective and efficient programs that were identified as community priorities," explained White.
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About the Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 128 years in the United States. Nearly 29 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services in 5,000 communities that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. Visit us on-line to learn more or to make a donation. www.salvationarmyusa.org.