Windham County Salvation Army assistance programs.
Several assistance programs are available from the Windham County Salvation Army. The charity works to feed low income families, provides summer camp as well as free Christmas gifts to kids, and there may also be one time rental or energy bill assistance. Resources are limited, and all services provided are done so with a condition of the aid being a “hand-up”.
The charity, which is a christian church based group but helps people of all regions and backgrounds, also provides ways for the Windham County community to give back to the larger community. There are opportunities to volunteer to help seniors or the vulnerable, monetary donation programs, and much more. So the Salvation Army may not only provide a free box of food or some funds for paying a bill, but the charity also allows the community to give back to those that are struggling.
Windham and Willimantic Salvation Army services
Financial assistance is but one services from the Salvation Army Social Services Department. While they would like to help everyone, of course in reality their ability to do so is limited. Funds are constrained and the focus is on assisting clients as they work towards self-sufficiency; thus the hand up approach. Clients can come from Chestnut Hill, Columbia, Conantville, Storrs, Chaplin, Eagleville, Hampton, Lebanon, Mansfield, Merrow, Scotland, Willimantic, and the the town of Windham as well.
When possible, some of the funds may be for housing needs, with a focus on rental payments. Additional support is for utility bills, including heating, utility, and water. When seeking any type of financial help, bring proof of income; copies of eviction and/or utility disconnect letters; residency; and more. The applicant also needs the ability to pay future rent and utilities on their own, and proof of that is needed by the Windham County Salvation Army. Appointments are needed, and applications are taken on Tuesday and Friday.
On Tuesday and Friday the food pantry is also available. The Salvation Army, and its partners, strive to feed the hungry in Windham County. There are year round, free boxes of groceries as well as holiday food for Thanksgiving as well as Christmas.
Windham County Salvation Army Thanksgiving, Back to School, and Christmas programs are considered to be seasonal in nature. There are a few core services. One is free food and meals, while a second is clothing for kids going to school. Supplies (notebooks, pens, backpacks, etc.) are all part of the Back to School programs. During the holidays everything from free toys from Angel Tree are combined with both free Thanksgiving turkey meals and Christmas food for the homeless and/or working poor.
Volunteers are always needed for Nursing Home Visitations in Windham County. Most take place at the key holidays, including Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The goal is to spread holiday cheer to those that may be lonely or that can't get to other family members. There is also a senior citizen center in Ashford Connecticut for the elderly.
The Salvation Army Summer Day Camp lasts up to 8 weeks. Children under the age of 13 can use the Willimantic program, which is run by the Salvation Army staff. Topics range from mentoring to meals, field trips, and fund with peers.
Partnerships are also in place with other Windham County agencies. They work together to address the needs of the community, ranging from general financial literacy to credit counseling and budgeting. After school programs can also give parents a place to bring their kids if they are working. The Windham County Salvation Army works with these groups and others to coordinate resources in the community.
While all of Windham County is supported, the main Salvation Army center is at 316 Pleasant Street, Willimantic, CT 06226. Appointments are needed for most financial services. The phone number is (860) 423-0977.
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