FORT MYERS, FL – (July 21, 2022) The Salvation Army of Ft. Myers Area Command has accepted funding from the Florida Department of Corrections and State legislative partners for the Dual Diagnosis Initiative Program.

Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka, on behalf of Senator Kathleen Passidomo, presented a check for $350K on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, at The Salvation Army’s Center of Hope, 2400 Edison Ave, Ft. Myers, FL.

“The Dual Diagnosis Initiative Program is utilized through our federal and state corrections programs, working with our incarcerated clients, we are able to better help those who are presenting or been diagnosed with both mental and addictive behaviors.”  Major Carlyle, Area Commander.  “We assist these folks in transitioning back to society and this program is essential to that process.”

For over 5 years, The Salvation Army has collaborated with the Federal Bureau of Prisons and State Department of Corrections to provide effective programming, guidance, and substance abuse rehabilitation for some individuals under the jurisdiction of the criminal justice system.

The Salvation Army of Lee, Hendry, & Glades Counties is providing the support residents need to reenter society, reunite with their families, and resume normal lives.

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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 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services 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. 82 cents of every dollar spent is used to carry out those services in Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyleecounty.org.  The Salvation Army is proud to be a United Way partner agency.

Since 1975, The Salvation Army has provided various programs in the state of Florida to assist people who have found themselves involved in the criminal justice system. In partnership with governmental agencies, The Salvation Army provides cost-effective alternatives to public-operated community corrections services.

Offenders have additional hurdles to overcome in attempting to become contributing members of the community that others do not, such as obtaining employment and housing. Because of The Salvation Army’s long history of working with offenders, staff members are aware of these hurdles and are experienced in resolving the myriad of issues that are unique to offenders.

Through contracts with the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Florida Department of Corrections, The Salvation Army Correctional Services offers residential programs for drug treatment and transitional services, assisting participants in becoming law-abiding members of the community.

President Trump’s declaration of April 2019 as Second Chance Month reflects The Salvation Army Correctional Services mission to improve the quality of life for offenders, their families, and the community.

Here is an excerpt from the declaration:

Americans have always believed in the power of redemption ‑‑ that those who have fallen can work toward brighter days ahead.  Almost all of the more than two million people in America’s prisons will one day return to their communities.  In each case, they will have served their sentence and earned the chance to take their places back in society.  During Second Chance Month, we draw attention to the challenges that former inmates face and the steps we can take to ensure they have the opportunity to become contributing members of society.

For more information on The Salvation Army’s Correctional Services in Florida, please click here.