The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Presidents

• Maria Mamlouk
• Margaret Vitale

The History of The Salvation Army in Palm Beach County

The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County has been serving Palm Beach County since 1922.

William Booth began The Salvation Army in 1865 as a means to help those in need throughout London. His wife, Catherine Booth, became an evangelist, preacher, theologian, and co-founder of The Salvation Army. Today, The Salvation Army is active in virtually every corner of the world and serves in over 100 countries, offering the message of God’s healing and hope to all those in need.

In 1922, Salvation Army leaders saw potential and possibilities for a successful corps in Palm Beach County, and the West Palm Beach Corps was established. 

Today, the Army assists children in Palm Beach County through after-school programs and community centers. It also houses veterans and those experiencing homelessness, responds to emergencies like hurricanes, and provides social services and counseling to those most in need.

1922: The Beginning in Palm Beach County

In the 1920s, much of Palm Beach County was swamp, swampy or wetlands. County and community leaders knew that water was the attraction and the future. They also knew that water was inhibiting progress and growth.

Engineers, dredging and drainage solved the problem, advertisers told the story, and the county grew. Sand paths and trails were transformed into roads, roadways and eventually highways to accommodate ever—increasing automobile ownership and travel. Railroads, first the Celestial and then Henry Flagler’s Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Indian River Railway followed soon by the Florida East Coast, brought products, people and progress to Palm Beach County.

By 1922, Salvation Army leaders saw potential and possibilities for our own growth. A partnership with the Kiwanis Club resulted in the establishment of the West Palm Beach Corps.

A building called the Tabernacle was constructed using labor primarily donated by union-backed construction workers. This corps building housed all Salvation Army indoor activities including worship meetings as well as social welfare programs.

An Advisory Board was quickly organized and immediately became supportive and creative in expanding the reach of the Army. In 1924, a fund to help people at Christmas time, The Empty Stocking Fund, was launched cooperatively by The Palm Beach Post-Dispatch and The Salvation Army.

The Army’s county-wide activity resulted in the establishment of Outposts in Lake Worth in 1925, and Westgate in 1938. The Lake Worth ministry was designated a Corps in 1953. Westgate was merged with the West Palm Beach Corps in 1970.

Today the Army assists children through after school programs and community centers. It also houses veterans, the homeless and helps prisoners with their reentry back into the community. The Salvation Army also responds to emergencies like hurricanes and provides social services and counseling to those most in need. Today there also are 3 corps that provide worship services in Lake Worth, West Palm Beach and Boca Raton.

PR Contact

For all media-related inquiries, please contact:

Frank Marangos
Director of Communications
561-686-3530
frank.marangos@uss.salvatinarmy.org

The Salvation Army has operated a "curbside" recycling program for more than 100 years. It began in the slums of 19th Century London, and continues to this day in all corners of the globe.

The Salvation Army is supported by the collection and sale of society's surplus but usable household goods. In the early days, men with push carts were sent out to collect paper and other salvage.  Horses and wagons eventually supplanted the push carts, and in turn were supplanted by the familiar Salvation Army trucks.

Today, pick up service and drop off locations collect the donations of a generous public, which fund local programs and services offered to thousands of men, women and children in your local community.

FREE PICKUP IN PALM BEACH COUNTY  561-688-9153

83 cents of every dollar raised is used to sustain life-changing programs and services that brings hope to those in need in Palm Beach County.

The Salvation Army Social Service office provides assistance and support to people in need through various services and programs. As a distinctly Christian social service, we offer care to the total person, spirit, mind and body.

We offer assistance with dry goods from our food pantry, clothing from community donations, emergency furniture assistance for victims of natural disasters and utility/rental assistance.

A needs assessment interview is required during your initial visit. Case management during subsequent visits ensures forward progress in achieving and maintaining goals that lead to self-sufficiency.

We may refer you to other organizations if we cannot directly assist you with your needs.

The Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope initiative provides individualized services to families with children who desire to break the cycle of crisis and vulnerability that repeats generation after generation. It seeks to address the root causes of poverty in addition to The Army’s history of compassionate serving.

By helping families overcome challenges like unemployment, unstable housing, and lack of education, we can lead families down a path toward increased stability and, ultimately, self-sufficiency.

You’re eligible if:

• You have at least one child under the age of 18.     
• You’re ready to take action to improve your life!

Make an appointment with a caseworker in your area:

• Belle Glade: 561-686-3530, x26269
• Boca Raton: 561-391-1344, x26302
• Lake Worth: 561-968-8189, x26322
• West Palm Beach: 561-686-3530, x26269

NORTHWEST COMMUNITY CENTER AMENITIES

This facility includes a full state-of-the-art gymnasium, a large community room, a stage and a full kitchen. There are two full-size activity rooms and a computer lab. The center also has a large fenced-in sports field for outdoor activities and a playground.

NORTHWEST COMMUNITY CENTER VISION

Our vision is to have a primary focus on outreach to local youth with an array of programs and activities that will enhance all areas of their lives.

NORTHWEST COMMUNITY CENTER OBJECTIVES

One of the fundamental objectives of the Northwest Community Center is to create opportunities for local children to be exposed to positive influences through mentoring, character building workshops, tutoring and recreational activities. 

MEMBERSHIP

Membership into The Salvation Army Northwest Community Center is available to families for an annual membership of $30.00. Applications are available at the facility and cover those that reside within your household. Membership allows you access into the facility. Minimal fees apply for some programs.

For Additional Information Contact The Center at 561-833-6767.

The Salvation Army Center of Hope is a facility that houses our Veterans program and Emergency Family Shelter program.

VETERANS PROGRAM

The Salvation Army Veterans Program provides transitional housing and intensive case management to eligible male Veterans through the VA Grant, Per Diem Program and Health Care for Homeless Programs. The 22-bed center is a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week, year-round program providing a stable living environment for homeless Veterans who are residents of Palm Beach County. All Veterans are referred through the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. The Center's programming is designed to reduce barriers to economic self-sufficiency, increase skills and/or income, increase residential stability and establish self-determination. Center of Hope services include meals, clothing, transportation, life skills, and on-site NA/AA meetings. 

EMERGENCY SHELTER

The Salvation Army Emergency Family Shelter provides emergency shelter to families consisting of at least one adult and one minor under the age of 18. Center of Hope services include case management, meals, clothing, transportation, life skills, and on-site NA/AA meetings. Center of Hope can house up to six families. Referrals to this program are through the Palm Beach County Philip D. Lewis Center.

CONTACT CENTER OF HOPE

Pam Berry, COH Director

Veteran's Program, Emergency Family Shelter: (561)682-1118

RESIDENTIAL RE-ENTRY CENTER

This is a contract facility under the Federal Bureau of Prisons to house federal non-violent offenders and prepare them to return to society. This is a self-sufficient program that operates under a daily per-diem. Referrals are from Federal Correctional Institutions and the average placement is from one to six months. These residents are allowed to work in the community and return to the center in the evenings. Twice a week, they can go home on "free time" until 9:00 PM and weekend passes are available from Friday at 4:00 PM to Sunday at 9:00 PM. The purpose of this program is to help residents rebuild their family and community ties.

This facility is not a homeless shelter and accepts Federal inmates by institutional referral only.    

Candace Fasano, Operations Manager

Residential Re-entry Center: (561)689-1212

Supporting Palm Beach County’s Most Vulnerable During COVID-19

In this time of uncertainty, The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County wishes you hope, faith and courage. We are ramping up our efforts to provide support for our neighbors in need. 

Here are a few ways you can help:

• Food: Non-perishable food items of all kinds are needed, as well as pop-top cans for our neighbors experiencing homelessness. 
• Gift Cards: Gift cards to grocery stores can be purchased and dropped off, or ordered online and shipped to our Area Command office.
• Monetary Donations: 
  • Monetary gifts can be dropped off or mailed to 2100 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33409, Attn: Linda Gunter.
  • Donate by credit card: Call us at 561-686-3530 or give online.

We truly appreciate any assistance you can offer.