Assistance from Santa Fe County Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army offers material items, financial assistance, and spiritual support to qualified low income families in Santa Fe County. While the resources as well as extent of what can be provided is limited, some examples of the assistance from The Center of Hope/Family Services includes a homeless shelter, emergency financial assistance, chemical dependency counseling, or transitional housing. There is also free food, school supplies or Christmas toys and basic health care services.
At shelters in the area, there are locations for women, men and families. There are both private rooms and shared housing facilities. Not only will the person be given a bed to sleep in for a short period of time, but the case managers as well as volunteers will serve a free breakfast and dinner. The hot meals from the Salvation Army are served to hungry families and individuals.
Santa Fe County Salvation Army will also combine Social Services with financial aid. Each applicant will need to make an appointment to see if they qualify. As noted, this is a very limited resource.
After a session has been scheduled with the Salvation Army Family Services Department, a staff member will work with each person who is found to be qualified in an effort to develop a case plan to accomplish each client’s short-term and long-term goals. All of the rules and guidelines need to be strictly followed. Continued participation in any type of program offered by the organization will be determined by the client’s efforts to complete the goals laid out in the case plan.
If found to be successful and all guidelines are followed, the Salvation Army of Santa Fe County New Mexico may provide short term, partial payments for some critical expenses. This may be for rent to stop an eviction or utilities (including water and electric bills) to keep power on. Other financial support ranges from vouchers for medications to gasoline for work related reasons. Or there may be referrals given to other local agencies.
Social Services will also require the client to be actively Seeking Employment. This is because any money provided is intended to be a hand up and not a hand out. So for example, if the person was given a gasoline voucher or a grant for a portion of their rent, the intent is to either provide them time so they are not evicted, or the means to find employment.
If someone is unable to work due to say comprehensive disability or mental illness, they can still look for a part time job in another career. However it is the client’s responsibility to inform the Salvation Army Social Services in Santa Fe County to find other options.
Basic needs include food assistance from the pantry, clothing (including for back to school) and Christmas programs. Donations of material goods and financial assistance made payable to the organization allow the Santa Fe County Salvation Army to provide dinners, clothing, and Christmas toys for families in need.
The goal is to respond to the varying needs of the working poor in the regions in which they serve. So resources are available locally. However, even these are limited. Such as the pantry will only provide free food or groceries a few times per year to those who qualify, and this is intended to be an emergency service in Santa Fe County.
Other support is as follows. Examples may be as follows.
-Disaster response is also given to households that are impacted. This includes food services, meals, and Emotional & Spiritual Care.
-Salvation Army GED services are arranged. Adults or those seeking new skills are offered the opportunity to pre-test, study, and practice test.
-Referrals are given to senior centers and programs such as Meals on Wheels.
How to get help from Salvation Army in Santa Fe
When applying for help, applicants need to bring a current Picture ID, birth certificates for all children, a Social Security Card for every member in the household (W-7 for immigrants), proof of address and income and more. The main Santa Fe County Salvation Army centers are at 525 W. Alameda Street, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501-1879. Call (505) 988-8054 for referrals.
|
