The Salvation Army is well-known for its network of thrift stores or charity shops, which raise money for its charitable and religious activities by selling donated (generally used) items such as clothing, housewares and toys. The Salvation Army has a history of free rehabilition from alcohol and drug abuse. Thrift stores provide the revenue to run the Adult Rehabilitation Centers known as ARCs. The ARCs, found in many global locations, are work- and Bible-based and are usually long term residential facilities.
In many countries The Salvation Army is most recognized during the Christmas season with its volunteers who stand outside of businesses and play/sing Christmas carols, or ring bells to inspire passers by to place donations of cash and checks inside red kettles. A tradition has developed in the United States in which, in some places, gold coins are anonymously inserted into the kettles that the bell ringers collect donations in.
The Salvation Army Volunteer program
Why not get involved with The Salvation Army volunteering program which allows you to gift back to your community and help those in need. There are many opportunities available including administrative positions, disaster services and much more.
Salvation Army store locator
The Salvation Army donations program gladly accepts gently used clothes, household items, shoes, closet, clothing that do not fit to help the homeless people, and low income families.
Through The Salvation Army Thrift Stores, the donations program allows The Salvation Army to sell clothes, warm clothing, coats, formal clothes, which are all tax deductible as charitable contributions of property. Use our valuation guidelines to determine the value of your clothes donations. Learn how to make a difference, help homeless people, the needy, while simply doing your usual spring cleaning.
Clothes Donation: Find out how to conveniently donate furniture, clothes, household items and shoes to The Salvation Army. Plus, links and information to clothes donation pick-up information and drop-off locations.
Value Guide for Donated Items and Tax Receipts
The Salvation Army value guide for donated items assist you in to the homeless, the displaced, children and youth at risk, lonely seniors, the jobless, the addicted. The only qualification is need and the needs are endless.
In New York, the Army serves the neediest communities in 14 counties – including all the boroughs of New York City, Long Island, and the Lower Hudson Valley.
And, importantly, Salvation Army employees live and work in the communities they serve. When a blackout occurs, they can lead Police and Fire Departments to the elderly and infirm.When a neighborhood floods, they know the way in, the way out, and who needs the most help. This local knowledge is another aid in the Army in its mission to Do the Most Good.
Use this site for Salvation Army locations in Long Island, Staten Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Bronx, Bronxville, Westchester and Yonkers.
The Salvation Army of New York
The Salvation Army is an evangelistic organization created in 1865 by William Booth, a former adherent of Methodism, to work among the poor of London. His book In Darkest England and the Way Out (1890) not only won popular support for his movement but also helped awaken public opinion to poverty in the world's richest city. The present military format of the group dates from the publication of The Orders and Regulations for the Salvation Army in 1878. The uniforms, designed by Booth's wife, Catherine Mumford Booth, were adopted in the early 1880s. A branch of the army was formed in the United States in 1880 and received leadership from Evangeline Cory Booth, the general's daughter, from 1904 to 1934. The group has been noted for the vigor of its preaching, its energetic use of music, and its crusades on behalf of the poor and oppressed. It has considered itself to have a special mission to alcoholics.
In 2001, as President George W. Bush proposed bringing "faith-based" charities into a federally coordinated program, the Salvation Army's stance on homosexuality caused concern. While the army condemns harassment based on sexual orientation, it nevertheless describes same-sex intimacy as sinful and has at times refused to hire homosexuals.
In the early twenty-first century the United States branch of the Salvation Army had 443,000 members and several million volunteers supporting its social service programs.
Salvation Army beliefs follow those of the universal Christian church, as derived from the scriptures. They are included in the "Articles of War", the membership form which all prospective Salvationists sign before enrolling as Salvation Army soldiers.
The Mission Statement of the Salvation Army USA
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.
The Doctrines of the Salvation Army
1. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and that only they constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice.
2. We believe that there is only one God, who is infinitely perfect, the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of all things, and who is the only proper object of religious worship.
3. We believe that there are three persons in the Godhead - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, undivided in essence and equal in power and glory.
4. We believe that in the person of Jesus Christ the Divine and human natures are united, so that He is truly and properly God and truly and properly man.
5. We believe that our first parents were created in a state of innocence, but by their disobedience, they lost their purity and happiness, and that in consequence of their fall, all men have become sinners, totally depraved, and as such are justly exposed to the wrath of God.
6. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has by His suffering and death made an atonement for the whole world so that whosoever will believe may be saved.
7. We believe that repentance toward God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and regeneration by the Holy Spirit are necessary to salvation.
8. We believe that we are justified by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that he that believes has the witness in himself.
9. We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.
10. We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
11. We believe in the immortality of the soul, the resurrection of the body, in the general judgement at the end of the world, in the eternal happiness of the righteous, and in the endless punishment of the wicked.
abortion
The Salvation Army believes in the sanctity of all human life and considers each person to be of infinite value and each life a gift from God to be cherished, nurtured and redeemed. Human life is sacred because it is made in the image of God and has an eternal destiny. (Genesis 1:27) Sacredness is not conferred, nor can it be taken away by human agreement.
The Salvation Army deplores society's ready acceptance of abortion, which reflects insufficient concern for vulnerable persons, including the unborn. (Psalms 82:3-4)
The Salvation Army holds to the Christian ideals of chastity before marriage and fidelity within the marriage relationship and, consistent with these ideals, supports measures to prevent crisis pregnancies. It is opposed to abortion as a means of birth control, family planning, sex selection or for any reason of mere convenience to avoid the responsibility for conception. Therefore, when an unwanted pregnancy occurs, The Salvation Army advises that the situation be accepted and that the pregnancy be carried to term, and offers supportive help and assistance with planning.
The Salvation Army recognizes tragic and perplexing circumstances that require difficult decisions regarding a pregnancy. Such decisions should be made only after prayerful and thoughtful consideration, with appropriate involvement of the woman's family and pastoral, medical and other counsel. A woman in these circumstances needs acceptance, love and compassion.
When an abortion has taken place, The Salvation Army will continue to show love and compassion and to offer its services and fellowship to those involved.
abuse
The Salvation Army is committed to upholding Christian standards of love, care, protection and respect for the whole person in all relationships and to providing a safe and nurturing environment in its ministry to meet those ends.
Abuse is misuse of power in interpersonal relationships. It is expressed primarily in sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse and economic exploitation. The victims of abusive relationships are often children, the elderly and spouses, primarily women.
The Salvation Army is against all forms of abuse, whether individual or systemic, and seeks to help abused persons and change abusive systems whenever possible.
marriage
The Salvation Army affirms the New Testament standard of marriage, which is the loving union for life of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. Marriage is the first institution ordained by God (Genesis 2:24), and His Word establishes its significance (Matthew 19:4-6).
Marriage is the only proper context for sexual intimacy. Scripture demands abstinence before, and faithfulness within, marriage. Marriage is more than a private commitment of a couple to live together; it requires formal vows exchanged before God and others/other people. Marriage reflects the relationship of Christ and His Church. It is a loving, mutually respectful union intended for life (Ephesians 5:21-33). Marriage provides the optimal environment for the welfare of children and contributes to the stability of society.
The Salvation Army promotes a culture that properly values marriage. People thinking of getting married should seek the wise counsel of others, prayerfully discerning God?s will. Husbands and wives must not take their relationship for granted but should work to nurture and safeguard their union. Troubled marriages can often be healed with the assistance of skilled professional counselors and pastoral care. The Salvation Army offers a variety of resources to strengthen and support marriages.
The Salvation Army is committed to promoting, strengthening and protecting God?s institution of marriage.
homosexuality
The Salvation Army holds a positive view of human sexuality. Where a man and a woman love each other, sexual intimacy is understood as a gift of God to be enjoyed within the context of heterosexual marriage. However, in the Christian view, sexual intimacy is not essential to a healthy, full, and rich life. Apart from marriage, the scriptural standard is celibacy.
Sexual attraction to the same sex is a matter of profound complexity. Whatever the causes may be, attempts to deny its reality or to marginalize those of a same-sex orientation have not been helpful. The Salvation Army does not consider same-sex orientation blameworthy in itself. Homosexual conduct, like heterosexual conduct, requires individual responsibility and must be guided by the light of scriptural teaching.
Scripture forbids sexual intimacy between members of the same sex. The Salvation Army believes, therefore, that Christians whose sexual orientation is primarily or exclusively same-sex are called upon to embrace celibacy as a way of life. There is no scriptural support for same-sex unions as equal to, or as an alternative to, heterosexual marriage.
Likewise, there is no scriptural support for demeaning or mistreating anyone for reason of his or her sexual orientation. The Salvation Army opposes any such abuse.
In keeping with these convictions, the services of The Salvation Army are available to all who qualify, without regard to sexual orientation. The fellowship of Salvation Army worship is open to all sincere seekers of faith in Christ, and membership in The Salvation Army church body is open to all who confess Christ as Savior and who accept and abide by The Salvation Army's doctrine and discipline.
Scriptures: Genesis 2:23-24; Leviticus 18:22; Mark 2:16-17; Romans 1:26-27; Romans 5:8; I Corinthians 6:9-11; I Corinthians 13; Galatians 6:1-2; I Thessalonians 4:1-8; I Thessalonians 5:14-15; I Timothy 1:15-16; Jude 7
human sexuality
God made human beings male and female. Our sexuality is a part of God?s wonderful creation, and integral to our identity. Our maleness and femaleness are intentional; each one and both together give expression to the divine image in us (Genesis 1:27). Men and women need each other, not only in the bonds of marriage, but in nearly every aspect of our lives. Sexuality, as part of our identity, is expressed in how we work, create, play and relate to others.
However, we live in a society in which sexuality is often distorted. For example, casual sexual relationships are normalized, self-gratification is presented as the purpose of sexual activity, sex is commercialized, and activities that reduce people to mere sex objects are tolerated. The Salvation Army believes that these things fall short of God?s intention and miss the mark.
Sexual intimacy, like other of life?s gifts, must be subject to boundaries and discipline (I Corinthians 6:12-20). God?s intention for sexual intimacy is that it be expressed exclusively within the marriage relationship. Within marriage, sexual intimacy plays an important role that goes beyond procreation and is equally significant whether or not the couple has children. Love and affection, trust and acceptance, shared sensual enjoyment and the intimate bonding of spirit, mind and body are all intertwined, each enhancing and reinforcing the other.
Despite the messages we frequently hear from the media and observe in contemporary lifestyles, being sexually active is not the key to human fulfillment. Single, celibate men and women, for example, can and do live lives that are happy, full and rewarding. The Bible reminds us that opportunities for ministry and caring relationships may be available to those who are single that are not possible for those who are married (I Corinthians 7:32-35).
The Salvation Army clearly supports and values biblical standards for sexual behavior. As members of the Christian community, Salvationists are called to demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit to enable people to live according to those standards. The Christian Community is called to provide the resources of affection and love, acceptance, forgiveness, trust, and the opportunity for growth that are essential to men and women, single or married.