The Salvation Army is a safe harbor for homeless

The Jasper County Salvation Army is oftentimes the first location people in need and the homeless go to in the community. The staff at The Salvation Army in Newton work to provide resources, food and clothing but most of all — hope.

Captain Janelle Cleaveland said she works on a daily basis to collaborate with other organizations in the community, and although she has only been in Newton since July, she said she recognizes homelessness is present in the county.

“I hear stories when people come in of people that are living in bushes, and through working with Friends in Hope, I’ve heard stories,” Cleaveland said. “It’s present here in Newton.”

The Salvation Army often struggles with finding affordable housing, and the closest homeless shelter is located in Des Moines, which is an additional roadblock.

Cleaveland said Friends in Hope, a local nonprofit organization, did provide rides to Des Moines to the homeless shelter at one time but that isn’t a regular occurrence. She also said The Salvation Army in Des Moines has an adult rehab center for people with addictions to drugs or alcohol.

Friends in Hope director Linda Curtis-Stolper said the organization is working to re-organize how they will offer services to Jasper County residents.

“There have been a few occasions we have transported individuals to Des Moines because they were in dire need,” Curtis-Stolper said. “We would like to stay local though.”

She said the partnership the organization has with The Salvation Army has always been beneficial and positive.

“The Salvation Army and Friends in Hope working together offers a lot of cross-benefits for people in need,” Curtis-Stolper said. “We really appreciate all The Salvation Army does and pointing people in the right direction.”

The Salvation Army also sometimes works with landlords in Newton. Kelly Zach, a case worker at The Salvation Army, said she will call landlords and ask them to give certain people a second chance.

Zach sits at the front desk and is the first point of contact when people seek help. Zach handles situations from someone needing a coat to someone needing a place to live.

Zach has formed trust with many people who receive assistance at The Salvation Army, and she truly cares about their situations.

“There needs to be a long-term solution here in Newton, but this community cannot finance and staff a homeless shelter,” Zach said. “Therefore, we must all work together to make sure there’s long-term housing needs for the homeless or get someone to take them to the homeless shelters.”

Zach said in the past when there is a family who is on the verge of homelessness, they would be referred to Friends In Hope, and they would be partnered up with a mentor.

“They truly need a friend and a mentor who is going to give them hope and let them know there is more in life than just being homeless,” Zach said. “They mentor these people and a lot of these families were able to get jobs and get apartments and become very successful and not be homeless.”

“Landlords have said if it’s a filthy house, then they won’t put up with it,” Zach said. “If I have someone coming in who says they are being evicted, I look at everything of why they say they’re being evicted.”

Zach said if it’s something that a legal aide can assist with, then she gives them contact information.

“Then there are some people who choose to be homeless,” Zach said. “They don’t want to follow the rules, and they think life’s an adventure and they’d rather sofa surf.”

A lot of homeless people in the county who are in smaller communities are moving into sheds and garages, according to Zach.

“If they tell me they’re homeless, I’ll call the Newton YMCA and get them a membership for a month so they can shower,” Zach said. “There are a lot of good people who are working for the good.”

Zach said there are seasonal needs such as blankets, coats, hats, gloves, mittens and warm shoes.

“A lot of them will need snow boots, but they are really hard to come by,” Zach said. “I just try to make sure their shoes don’t have holes.”

Zach said some people come in and take naps in the middle of the afternoon inside of The Salvation Army’s lobby and to “just get off the streets.” She said she hopes if people in the community come upon a homeless person, that they won’t just “shy your eyes” from them.

“Just ask them if they want you to buy them a sandwich because a lot of the times they are scrounging through the dumpsters for food,” Zach said. “Homelessness and hunger go hand and hand.”

Cleaveland said there are positive stories of people finding their way and receiving the help they need. Most of all, she enjoys hearing about community members lending a hand to one another.

“A gentlemen called our office because he saw a lady at the hospital with no coat and no shoes,” Cleaveland said. “He wondered what to do, and I said if she wants clothing you can come get her some clothing from the thrift store, and we are willing to help her in that way.”

Cleaveland said she hopes people in the community will recognize homelessness is here.

“It should be brought to light,” Cleaveland said. “I think we should work together as a community. They are still our brothers and sisters whether or not they have a permanent address.”

IMPACT Community Action Partnership also acts as a good local resource for those in need. IMPACT’s office is in the Jasper County Annex Building, 115 N. Second Ave.

Individuals are eligible if they already receive utility assistance or through an application process. IMPACT also provides cleaning supplies and a food and hygiene pantry they can use every three months.

The bread line at The Salvation Army is available at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays.