Programs & Services

Shelter

The shelter offers 34 beds to individual men and women who are given a clean, warm, safe place to sleep. Shelter guests help out by keeping their bed area clean as well as participating in the housekeeping of the common areas. Additional bed space is provided for 18 more individuals in need of shelter in the winter. The Salem Mission is committed to not turning anyone away.

The shelter staff, under the supervision of the Shelter Director manages the daily operations of the shelter as well as providing a caring atmosphere of support. The staff strives to help guests feel better about themselves and to move on with their lives. This sometimes takes the form of referrals to community agencies, housing information, job leads, or just a listening ear. Respect, dignity, compassion and hope are offered to everyone who comes through our doors. Our basic mission is to shelter, feed and clothe but there is much more.

Meals “Break Bread Together” Community Meals
Three meals are served every day to shelter residents and anyone in the Salem area that is hungry. Over 300 meals a day (110,000 annually) are served. This is accomplished by our Director of Food Services, Kitchen Manager, and over 400 volunteers, many who come from local churches, schools, co-workers, and other organizations. Many who come to eat also receive other supportive services and assistance from Mission staff. If you are interested in volunteering, call Evelyn at (978) 744-0500 x204.

Day Services - “Seeds for Change” Day Services

Case management
Case managers provide added support and more professional and intentional guidance to guests as they set goals for themselves and develop a plan for obtaining safe, affordable, housing. Case managers also assist guests both shelter residents and day guests with issues of mental health and substance abuse.

Health Clinic
Our on-site health clinic is staffed 3 days a week by a nurse in collaboration with Partners Health Care to provide care to those with no insurance or other means of obtaining primary health care. The Mission also attempts to locate alternative resources to pay for prescriptions for those with no insurance. Donations help supply the clinic with non-prescription medications and first aid supplies.

Clothing Distribution
Warm, clean clothes are available at all times to anyone in need. Clothing is available to guests at our "Second Chances” Thrift Store free of charge. During the winter many groups do coat drives for the Mission and hats and gloves are always a welcomed Christmas gift. Guests are given toiletries and personal care items such as soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, razors, and deodorant, which are in big demand.

Outreach - Street Outreach Worker
In conjunction with the City of Salem, the Mission provides an outreach worker to the community. The street advocate brings homeless people to the Mission, who might be in the parks or public buildings. This keeps people off the streets, and insures that their needs are met, while at the same time keeping the streets safe and secure for all the city’s residents and visitors.

This is funded in part by a grant from City of Salem Planning Dept./HUD. This (funded program) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, familial, sexual orientation or disability.

"Harvest of Hope" Food Pantry
An emergency food pantry supplies grocery bags to those in the Salem area with homes but who are unable to stretch their food budgets. Open two days a week, families and individuals can get the makings of 6-9 full nutritious meals. We see a growing need for these services: each month over 1000 families and individuals in Salem and surrounding areas are served through the Food Pantry. The families can access the pantry one time weekly. In addition, holiday baskets are distributed with turkey and fixings at Thanksgiving time. The Pantry is part of the Mission's homeless prevention programs.

The Pantry is funded in part by a grant from City of Salem Planning Dept./HUD.
(Por mas Informacion de estos programas en Espanol, llama 978-744-0500.)