Salvation Army walk 12/29/2023

Overview

The day began with sandwich making in the cafeteria of Salvation Army’s Harbor Light Center. Program participants were stationed at two different tables creating simple sandwiches via an assembly line. This is a program that people can enter for free to overcome their addictions. The program is 6 months, people live in shared rooms on site and Salvation Army is very structured and strict. The participants have to live phone-free for the first 2 months to avoid triggers and the chance of relapse. Lieutenant Andrea was the leader of the group making sandwiches. She introduced Annmarie to all of the participants, and made a point to share their leadership roles in this community. For example, the chef was held in very high esteem.

Observations

The participants definitely have community here. Some people seemed tired, and other were elated to be doing something productive and meaningful for their neighbors. A handful of folks were very friendly and talkative. One participant made a point to jokingly beg Lieutenant Andrea for him to join today’s Outreach Drive. She confirmed that he will be able to join when he is further along in his program. Many hands made fast work, and two large tubs of fresh turkey and cheese sandwiches were all bagged and stacked up, complete with napkins and condiments.

Supplies

250 sandwiches

100 Harbor Light business cards

200 socks

2 large containers of coffee

300 disposable cubs

Salvation Army Van

Vests

Participants

Lieutenant Andrea

Street Outreach Volunteer Annmarie

Program Participant and S.O. Volunteer M

Program Participant and S.O. Volunteer J

Outreach Drive

Technically this wasn’t an “Outreach Walk” since our team went in a Salvation Army Van to 5 different locations. We all put on a Salvation Army Yellow Vest, and we were given our different stations. M wanted to give out the socks and sandwiches because she wanted the added safety and security of being inside the van. Annmarie assisted/shadowed her. J was at the back of the van distributing black coffee. Lieutenant Andrea drove us, told us what to expect, and when she would park, she walked around to check on folks and invite them to get supplies from her team. Some people she had built a rapport with, she invited them to come to Harbor Light to get Sober.

Locations

Street perpendicular to Polk Street

Ellis St in front of YWAM

Other Street in the Tenderloin District

SOMA location near Best Buy

SOMA location 2

Time

10am-10:50am Sandwich making

10:50-11:00am Clean up

11:00-11:05am Walk to the van

11:05-11:10am Load the van

11:10-11:15am Pray

11:15-12:50 Street Outreach

12:50-1:00pm Drive back to Harbor Light

1:00-1:05 Unload the van

Highlights

This was a deeply rewarding experience. The unhoused folks we saw were tired, cold, hungry and very grateful for the small items of support. A few people appeared intoxicated but this was not the majority. It was nice to give the Harbor Light card along with the sandwiches, so people could have that reminder that they can go to a program if they would like. Lieutenant Andrea was more forward with encouraging the people who she had formed relationships with, to take that 1st step towards sobriety. M was empowered to visit the area where she spent most of her time living outside. She found her “Street Uncle” and was ecstatic to offer him the supplies that we had. She proudly shared with him about the program she was in. It was beautiful to see and hopefully can slowly encourage others in her community to work towards being substance-free.