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Doing The Most Good in East Polk County since 1958
One of the purposes of an outpost (A locality in which Army work is carried on and where it is hoped a society or corps will develop) in the Salvation Army is to grow into a Corps. It’s much like parents raising children to become mature resourceful and self-sufficient adults. The Salvationists of Lakeland achieved that when they formed The Salvation Army outpost in Winter Haven, FL.
The Salvation Army outpost in Winter Haven developed quickly and was officially dedicated in November 1958 by Salvation Army Officer, Lt. Commissioner William Davidson, and was officially designated a Corps in November 1959. The Winter Haven command will celebrate its 65th anniversary in November 2023.
The Salvation Army of Winter Haven serves all of East Polk County and is actively meeting human needs without discrimination. We invest in our community by investing in individuals, not only meeting short-term basic needs but providing a caring continuum of services to the families and individuals we serve. We offer many unique and comprehensive programs to meet basic needs that are evident across the eastern part of the county.
We help those facing difficult times by providing aid whenever possible. Our programs provide Financial Assistance and other aid to East Polk County residents who meet certain criteria.
Emergency Shelter
WOMEN & CHILDREN’S SHELTER
On any given night, The Salvation Army of East Polk County houses over 35 women and children experiencing homelessness. With our emergency shelter, our social services team is ready to assist those who seek our help. Residents receive case management, and guidance while they work to overcome the barriers that led them into homelessness. The ultimate goal is to gain permanent housing and self-sufficiency.
For more information about our shelter call:
Dreamalee Lamberti
Caseworker
863-291-5109
Emergency Financial Assistance
EMERGENCY SOCIAL SERVICES
By Appointment Only – Please Call (863)291-5107
Financial Assistance
Utility Assistance – TECO shares (For TECO customers only)
Food Pantry
Our Social Services Center provide food for residents in need in East Polk County. Some residency exceptions may be made, depending on the amount of food we have in our Pantry at the time of the request. Because donations to our Food Pantry increase and decrease throughout the year, the number of times a Client is eligible to receive food may change.
We do not require a photo ID. New clients are required to complete a TEFAP Eligibility Certification Form to verify if they meet financial requirements. Each client must update this information yearly. Our Food bank is open on Wednesdays only from 9:30-11:30 am and 1:00-3:00 pm. Our Food Bank is closed on every third Wednesday of every month, and clients are allowed to come once every other month.
This Institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider” : https://www.fns.usda.gov/civil-rights/usda-nondiscrimination-statement-other-fns-programs
Help is needed all year (extra help needed during November and December). Help collect, sort and pack bags for distribution to needy East Polk County families.
To find out more about the available volunteer opportunities at The Salvation Army Winter Haven Social Services, please contact Diana Woodhead, Director of Social Services at:
Neighborhood food drives are a fun way to create the feeling of community.
Items we always need include:
Other much-needed food items are:
Food donations accepted at this location.
Pathway of Hope
is a groundbreaking initiative of The Salvation Army. It allows The Salvation Army to work hand-in-hand with motivated families to propel them away from chronic, intergenerational poverty and toward a path to self-sufficiency. As we serve 30 million Americans annually, we are keenly aware of the trials our client families face. We also know that their struggles will persist if we keep treating the recurring symptoms of the problem and not the source. Poverty is not an affliction of the unfortunate few. It is a national epidemic. 43.1 million people in the United States are at or below the poverty level (census.gov). Left unchecked, the poverty of today will impact untold families tomorrow. Youth who live in poverty for half of their adolescence are 32 times more likely to stay there; 42 percent of children born to parents in the bottom fifth of income distribution remain at the bottom – a startling reality in this land of opportunity. The impact of intergenerational poverty is seen, most acutely, in children, as over one half of those adults who were poor in childhood currently live at or below the poverty level.
The Mission of Pathway of Hope:
To provide enhanced services to families that are ready to take action to break the cycle of poverty for their children and generations to come. The Pathway of Hope intends to address the root causes of poverty for at least 100,000 client families across the country. In addition to attending to families’ immediate needs, we want to eliminate the substructures of poverty in their lives by opening doors to opportunity, building community alliances to expand access to resources in
order to create transformational change for parents and their children. To accomplish these ambitious goals, The Salvation Army has expanded its holistic approach, which serves the entire person; physically, emotionally and
spiritually.
Laying The Foundation for Hope
The Salvation Army is well-positioned for this bold mission due to the wide scope of our engagement footprint. With 1,216 Salvation Army Corps Community Centers nationwide, we serve every
zip code in the US. In the Southern Territory we operate 342 Corps and 75 Service Centers. There is no need for new infrastructure. We will be harnessing more than 150 years of program experience, social service expertise and unalterable faith in the ability of people to help themselves when provided with real opportunities. The initiative builds upon and expands our current strengths, as well as the ties we already have with families in the communities we serve.
Collaborative Coaching with Families
The typical Pathway of Hope family is composed of a single mother, in her mid-thirties, with two to three children. Every day, she is faced with the daunting task of deciding whether to pay for food, electricity or medical needs from her allocation of meager resources. She is employed in a low-wage, part-time position without benefits. Her average annual income is $13,549. Hunger and food insecurity are this family’s reality.
While Pathway of Hope is comprehensive and characterized by compassionate, concerted care, it is not for everyone. Applicants undergo a thorough evaluation to establish their readiness to proactively overcome behaviors and patterns that reinforce their impoverished identity.
Compassionate, Strengths-Based Case Management
Case Managers meet one-on-one with participating client families for intensive counseling, as well as conduct home visits to identify the barriers to self-sufficiency. Using a strengths-based approach, case managers leverage a client’s existing strengths and resources to collaboratively develop a plan of action that will lead to self-sufficiency.
Community Coordination
Addressing the underlying causes of intergenerational poverty is a difficult task that no one single organization can address on its own. The Salvation Army is partnering with agencies to address the specific needs of the families in Pathway of Hope.
We collaborate with area agencies and organizations in order to provide client families with the best tools and support strategies for achieving their goals. Pooling resources also helps share the direct cost of meeting program beneficiaries’ needs and achieving our intended results. This approach allows The Salvation Army and other organizations to stretch our resources further, prevent duplication and help a greater number of people with more in-depth methods.
Consistency of Programs through Robust Training and Evaluation
We are extremely dedicated to the consistent implementation of Pathway of Hope and the uniform tracking of its effects within the lives of those it serves. To ensure both high performance and impact across all implementation areas, The
Salvation Army is investing in case manager training and the expansion of the information technology system currently in use at Pathway of Hope locations.
Benchmarks of assessment include how many Pathway of Hope families achieve sufficiency, increase stability, report increased hope, reduce the number of barriers they face, decrease their use of emergency services and report an increase in income.
For more information please contact
Diana Woodhead
Director of Social Services
Phone 863-291-5108
email Diana.Woodhead@uss.salvationarmy.org
The Salvation Army in East Polk County has both seasonal and year-round opportunities for volunteerism that allow you as an individual, your family or a group to “Do the Most Good.” While some may look for a face-to-face interaction with those we serve, others may prefer to be more “behind the scenes” in their volunteer efforts. Fortunately, we can accommodate both.
Year-round
Seasonally
Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) team
Special Projects
Other ways to help:
For more information on our volunteer opportunities or to complete an application, please call 863-294-7493 or click here for an application packet. Email your completed application to Captain Dominic Blanford.
The fine print: In most cases, volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. Minors may volunteer when accompanied by a parent in some holiday positions. All new volunteers are expected to complete an application and meet with a staff member for a one-on-one tour of our campus.
Providing services that help nurture the love of learning are among the highest priorities of The Salvation Army. Through our youth character-building programs, we provide a positive, stimulating environment in which to learn and a wide range of educational opportunities for children of all ages.
The Salvation Army offers summer camps, character development classes, leadership training, and more.
For more information regarding The Salvation Army’s youth programming, please call 863.294.7493 ext. 104
Location: The Salvation Army, 1898 Hwy 17 N. Winter Haven, FL 33881
Cost: All programs are free to attend unless otherwise noted.
Transportation: Available upon request, but space and resources are limited.
Club 316 (Weekly Youth Activities)
Our free Wednesday evening programs are an incredible resource to families in our community who are looking for high-quality and accessible education for their children after school hours.
Character Building Classes (Pre-K & Up)
Wednesdays 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Free Dinner Provided)
Bible based life skill classes and recreation with students divided into fun groups, such as “Sunbeams”, by age and gender.
Contact: Stephen Dicks, Corps Mission Associate (Youth Pastor)| 863-294-7493 Ext. 104, Stephen.Dicks@uss.salvationarmy.org
Support the Youth programs by making a tax-deductible donation today.
Learning is the key to unlocking the possibilities inherent in every young life. But on the streets of too many neighborhoods, a child’s love of learning is too often obscured by realities such as hunger and violence. Donating to The Salvation Army ensures that these programs can continue to help children in need across the East Polk County area.
To donate by mail, please make checks payable to The Salvation Army and send to:
The Salvation Army of Winter Haven
Attn: Sharon Davis – Youth
1898 Hwy 17 N.
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Camp Keystone
Located in north central Florida, Camp Keystone has been providing life changing Christian summer camp experiences for hundreds of children every summer. The Keystone camping experience is more than just a pleasant vacation. Children learn new skills and self-reliance; trained counselors who understand their emotional needs and problems help them to mature. Camp activities include learning to swim, adventure and scouting camps, arts and crafts, music developments and sports. Open to East Polk County children ages 7-12.
*CAMP REGISTRATION IS CLOSED FOR THE SUMMER. WILL REOPEN IN THE SPRING OF 2023.
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.
Our churches, known as corps, are made up of congregations of soldiers (church members). Worship services meet regularly on Sunday mornings and host other activities throughout the week.
Considered a protestant denomination of the Christian Church, Salvation Army beliefs align with the mainstream of Christian beliefs. Salvation Army Officers are ordained ministers who provide ministerial duties for their congregations and perform marriages and dedicate children.
We welcome you to visit our church!
General Information & Schedule
Corps Officers/Pastors: Captains Dominic & Ivelisse Blanford
Worship Times
Sunday
Worship –10:45 AM
Youth Programs
Wednesday – 5:30 PM
Women’s Ministries
Thursday – 6:00 PM (1st Thursday of the Month)
Location
The Salvation Army Center for Worship East Polk County is located at 1898 Hwy 17 N. Winter Haven, FL 33881.
For more information, please call Captain Ivelisse Blanford at 863-294-7493 ext. 102
Family Store Hours
Closed until further notice
927 6th St. NW
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Red Kettle Challenge:
Individuals, companies, schools and churches can accept the challenge of the Red Kettle Challenge and create a team to raise $1000. Funds from the Red Kettle Challenge go directly to helping individuals and families experiencing homelessness or those on the verge of homelessness by providing nourishment, shelter, compassion, and care through the holiday season and beyond.
Bell Ringing:
Did you know that spending 60 minutes bell ringing can feed 13 people? Signing up to be a bell ringer is a rewarding way to give back and raise money to support our seasonal activities as well as other programs that benefit struggling individuals and families.
Businesses, churches, civic clubs, schools, families, friends, and individuals can sign up to ring at one of our kettle locations around East Polk County. Sign up early to get your preferred location and dates!
You can sign up for a shift at www.registertoring.com.
Have questions for a specific location? See the contact information below:
Contact: Captain Dominic Blanford
Email: Dominic.Blanford@uss.salvationarmy.org
Phone: (863) 294-7493
(Please keep in mind that Angel Tree only distributes new, unused items)
How to pack your Angel Tree donations:
When you select items for your Angel please be sure to that you can return all items in one bag (a drawstring type trash bag works best).
Please do not wrap any of the gifts (this is an important security measure)!
Each child should be placed in separate bags
If you have a family, place all donations for each child into one bag.
Be sure to place the Angel Tag with the child’s unique numeric code in the bag facing outwards. Please tape or secure the Angel Tag to the outside of the bag so it can be easily seen.
If you purchase an item that is too large to fit into the bag (ex: bicycle) please label it with the unique Angel code found on the Angel Tag!
If you’re feeling extra generous and would like to purchase more donations than will fit into the bag we encourage you to “adopt” two children instead!
Don’t forget to remove the bottom portion of the Angel Tag for tax receipt purposes!
ALL GIFTS MUST BE RETURNED ON OR BEFORE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9TH.
The Salvation Army of East Polk County will open its registration for its Angel Tree Christmas Assistance Program on Friday, September 2nd to provide toys and clothes for children in need.This program is available only to East Polk County county residents with household incomes below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
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2022 Angel Tree Application Form 1 (print this form for 1-4 children)
2022 Angel Tree Application Form 2 Continuation (print for more than 4 children WITH Form 1)
Español
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2022 Angel Tree Application Form 1 (imprima esta forma para 1-4 niños)
2022 Angel Tree Application Form 2 Continuation (imprima esta forma para mas de 4 niños incluya la Forma 1)
1898 Hwy 17. N
Winter Haven, FL 33881
(863) 294-7493
320 Martin Luther King Blvd. NW
Winter Haven, FL 33881
(863) 291-5107
927 6th St. NW
Winter Haven, FL 33881
(863) 401-3583
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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.
