Dear Esteemed Partner,

In reflection of the past year, we are compelled to extend our deepest gratitude for your

unwavering support and commitment to The Salvation Army Southern California. Amidst the tumultuous backdrop of economic  instability and escalating inflation in 2023, your compassionate contributions served as pillars of hope for over 590,000 individuals who sought solace in our services.

Through your generous support, our division was able to extend a lifeline to our neighbors in need, distributing over 3.5 million meals, providing sanctuary through 974,000 nights of shelter, offering warmth and dignity with 345,000 articles of clothing, and fostering community through 300,000 volunteer hours. Furthermore, your kindness ensured that 201,000 toys and gifts brightened the holidays for families and children facing adversity.

Your love and generosity reverberated throughout Southern California, easing the burden of food insecurity, unforeseen job loss, evictions, and the devastation of natural disasters. Our officers and corps witnessed an unprecedented surge in demand for our services, underscoring the critical importance of our mission.

With your steadfast support, The Salvation Army was able to extend a compassionate hand to our most vulnerable populations, including families, seniors, and veterans. In addition to our core services, we are humbled to share that new initiatives blossomed across our division.

In Los Angeles, the Finding a Way Home Gala, hosted by our LA Metro Board, shone a beacon of hope, raising vital funds for homelessness relief and community enrichment. In Orange County, our dedicated corps and staff provided over 5,200 hours of case management and 3,605 nights of shelter for victims of human trafficking, offering sanctuary and support in their journey to restoration. Meanwhile, in San Diego, The Salvation Army’s Women’s Auxiliary celebrated the 57th Annual Women of  Dedication, recognizing 12 remarkable women whose contributions have profoundly impacted our community. In the Inland Empire, the Riverside Corps’ Homeless to Work program continued to empower individuals to rebuild their lives, while along the Central Coast, the Ventura Hope Center provided 3,560 nights of lodging.

As we gaze toward the horizon, we recognize that our journey is far from over. Now, more than ever, we rely on your continued partnership and generosity to fuel our mission. Together, we possess the power to not only transform lives but also to illuminate a path toward a brighter future for all in Southern California.

Join us as we stand united in our dedication to serve God and extend love and hope to our neighbors in need.

With profound appreciation and warm regards,

Lieutenant Colonels Michael and Cindy Dickinson

Divisional Leaders

The Salvation Army Southern California Division

You Helped Susie Take Care of Herself

Susie was used to looking after others as a live-in caregiver, but after years of putting others before herself, things took a turn for the worst and she looked to The Salvation Army in Ventura for help.

When Susie lost her care-giving position she also lost her place of residence. She knew she was going to be homeless if she didn’t look for help.

“I felt lost, lonely and that I needed God in my life.

Alicia, the Social Service Aide at the Corps, told me about the Hope Center and I made an appointment with the case worker.”

After her referral, Susie found a safe place to sleep, counseling and life coaching at the Hope Center when she needed it the most.

“I was referred to this place, the Hope Center. When I talked with Denise, my Case Worker, everything just fell into place. I am now taking care of my health and ready to look for work.”

At 65 years old, Susie was excited to take on life with support from The Salvation Army.

70-Year-Old Vietnam Veteran Finds Hope at The Salvation Army

Coming home from Vietnam after fighting for his country was tough. But for 70-year-old Tommie, adjusting to life after war was much more difficult than he could have ever imagined.

Many Americans did not welcome him home and he soon found himself without the necessary resources to live and thrive. Tommie spent time on the streets before discovering the Homeless to Work program. The Homeless to Work program empowers homeless individuals by providing them with employment opportunities. Through tasks like planting flowers, tree maintenance, graffiti removal, and litter abatement, participants contribute to the beautification of their communities while earning a living. Tommie found the routine and discipline he so desperately needed within the amazing family dynamic created by the Riverside Salvation Army Corps.

“The Salvation Army gave me the help I needed, when I needed it,” Tommie said. Tommie is now a soldier with The Salvation Army.  He has a place to call his own and just bought his own vehicle; something he couldn’t have ever imagined just a few years ago.

“The Homeless to Work program is really great. I hope others get to experience the love and hope provided by the Riverside Salvation Army staff,” Tommie said.

Tommie says his 70’s are going to be the best years of his life because of all that The Salvation Army has done for him.  We wish nothing but the best for Tommie and look forward to seeing him help others in the future.

Los Angeles

In 2023, The Salvation Army continued its mission of providing essential services throughout Los Angeles County. Our initiatives spanned shelter and housing programs, food pantries, after-school activities, eviction prevention assistance, and services for veterans and seniors.

A highlight of the year was the “Finding A Way Home” gala held in September at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. This inspirational event honored actress Sarah Michelle Gellar with The Judge Harry Pregerson Award, recognizing her philanthropic efforts within the greater Los Angeles community and beyond. The gala was a tremendous success, raising over $750,000, which significantly benefitted those in need.

The importance of community support was particularly evident during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Our Feast of Sharing event in Pico Union provided a festive Thanksgiving meal and entertainment for over 1,000 individuals. Albertsons also contributed generously, donating $79,000 worth of gift cards for holiday hunger relief. Christmas was made extra special through a partnership with Walmart and the Los Angeles Rams. Together, they created an unforgettable experience for 100 children and families in the Los Angeles area. Each child was paired with an LA Rams team member, received a $200 gift card, and enjoyed a shopping spree at Walmart to choose their Christmas gifts. In a heartwarming gesture, one child chose to spend his $200 on gifts for his mother, highlighting the spirit of giving.

These efforts demonstrate our ongoing commitment to supporting the community and bringing hope and joy to those we serve.

San Diego

2023 saw a change in leadership at the San Diego Regional Office. Majors Rob and Amy Reardon took over as Divisional Secretaries from Lt. Colonel Lee Lescano.

Since 1938, The Salvation Army has celebrated National Donut Day on the first Friday of June, originally as a tribute to The Salvation Army’s “Donut Lassies” who supported soldiers during World War I. Today, it’s a way to honor our veterans and create new traditions, one of which being our World Donut Eating Championship. This year, a new WORLD RECORD was set during the competition. Congratulations to our donut eating champion James Webb for setting the new WORLD RECORD by eating 59.5 donuts in 8 minutes aboard the historic U.S.S. Midway.

SDSU’s Aztecs Men’s Basketball Team kicked off Kroc Center’s Basketball Summer Camp. The NCAA National runners-up joined us, offering their expertise and training to inspire the next generation of athletes.

Each year, The Salvation Army’s Women’s Auxiliary acknowledges 12 influential women throughout San Diego for their substantial contributions in terms of time, skills, and resources. All proceeds received directly benefit The Salvation Army’s programs and services. Thank you to everyone who joined us at The 57th Annual Women of Dedication! Your support and generosity made this event a huge success and will make a difference in the lives of many.

Additionally the San Diego Region hosted several Christmas events including Light Up the Night kettle kick off and tree lighting, the Fire Truck Toy Parade, which included a dozen fire engines from various fire departments in San Diego County, Breakfast with Santa, and the Holiday Bowl Parade with Salvation Army youth band members from all across the west.

Orange County

The Salvation Army Orange County continued to be a leader in 2023 by providing comprehensive care to those in need and assisted families, men, women, young adults, seniors, and veterans. We provided care through shelters, rent and utility assistance, food pantries, anti-trafficking services, adult rehabilitation, housing stabilization, and youth programs. We served 1,000+ individuals experiencing homelessness, helped 126 shelter residents become permanently housed, and guided 123 individuals in obtaining employment. For victims of human trafficking, we provided over 5,200+ hours of case management and 3,605 nights of shelter.

During the Christmas season, we provided gifts for over 35,000 seniors, children, teens, and families—especially in partnership with Families Together of Orange County at the Christmas Together event. Children revelled in delightful games, performances, food, and music. The Salvation Army Orange County offered prayer and resources—sharing the love of Christ for families throughout our community.

At our fundraising gala, Night for Others, our wonderful community came together to raise $2.3 million towards the Center of Hope and the Center for Applied Research and Innovation. Howie Mandel performed for over 300 guests at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.

On October 1, 2023, we celebrated progress and new beginnings at our ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Center of Hope’s 72 units of Permanent Supportive Housing—“Pathways”. CalOptima’s CEO Michael Hunn presented a $4.1 million check to The Salvation Army Orange County. The Center of Hope is a comprehensive campus that will provide crucial services, case management, counseling, job training, and medical care to empower individuals towards a new life of health and self-sufficiency.

Inland Empire

The Salvation Army in Riverside strengthened its partnership with the city of Moreno Valley, resulting in a significant increase in funding for our Homeless-To-Work Program. This initiative, which gained substantial support towards the end of the year, has proven highly successful in helping individuals break the cycle of homelessness. The success of this program has garnered interest from other cities and communities, and we are actively collaborating to expand these services in 2024.

Our Pathway of Life program continues to play a crucial role in helping families break the generational cycle of poverty within our communities. The personal case management provided through this program has had a profound impact on the lives of many individuals. Additionally, we strengthened our collaboration with local partners, which has led to the opening of an emergency shelter for homeless individuals. This shelter will operate through the end of 2023 and the first three months of 2024, providing critical support during this period.

Central Coast

In the Central region, The Salvation Army San Luis Obispo Street Outreach Team continued to provide outreach services in conjunction with the Dignity Health Street Medicine team monthly in the Paso Robles Riverbed and the surrounding area of Black Oak Drive. Our team has a high success rate in this area for patients to engage, and accept hygiene, food, and Narcan.

Down the California coast, The Salvation Army Ventura continued providing shelter and food for individuals and families who have found themselves homeless, assisting families with food, rent, and utility assistance or providing Christmas gifts and warm coats to needy families. Neighbors need to know that they are not alone and that there are OTHERS in our community who care, and that is The Salvation Army.

One of Central Coast beneficiaries was T.M. a 76-year-old male veteran who entered the Hospitality House in September 2023. Prior to arriving at the shelter, he was evicted from a trailer that was parked on private property. Once T.M. entered the shelter, his Case Manager assisted him in developing goals that focused on stability, finances, and housing. During his stay, T.M. was able to develop a savings plan with his Case Manager and saved $6,000. He also was connected to VA healthcare. In January 2024, T.M. was approved to move into veteran subsidized housing. T.M. still contacts The Salvation Army staff to express his gratitude.

Mattel

In 2023, The Salvation Army, alongside Mattel’s Play it Forward initiative, celebrated another impactful year, fueled by your dedication. Your commitment ensured children of all backgrounds experienced the joy of play. Mattel’s generosity provided over 10,000 toys, brightening birthday parties in Los Angeles with every child receiving a gift and spreading holiday cheer with presents under Christmas trees. This partnership continues to make a profound difference in the lives of children and families in need, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mattel for their steadfast commitment to bringing joy and hope to countless families.

Deloitte Consulting LLP

Deloitte’s Impact Day on June 9, 2023 left an impact on the Southern California community. Specifically 34 volunteers from Deloitte volunteered at Salvation Army locations like the Bell Shelter and LA Red Shield. From revitalizing indoor spaces to enhancing outdoor landscapes, Deloitte’s efforts reflected an investment in community well-being. And their donation of over $6,600 in supplies demonstrated a tangible commitment to aiding those in need. The Salvation Army extends sincere gratitude for Deloitte’s ongoing efforts, recognizing their commitment to continually uplift the communities we serve.

The Home Depot Foundation and Team Depot Volunteers

The Home Depot Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing permanent supportive housing for veterans and enhancing veterans’ facilities and programs. Throughout 2023, our partnership  and the work of Team Depot, The Home Depot’s associate volunteer force, resulted in numerous impactful projects, including painting, landscaping, building raised garden beds, and rehabilitating residential spaces, which have significantly improved the lives of clients across various Salvation Army sites. From the Pregerson Family Center at Westwood to LA Day Care, Bell Shelter, Cathedral City, and Antelope Valley Corps, their passion and dedication has left a lasting impression. The Salvation Army extends profound appreciation for the transformative support provided by The Home Depot Foundation and the exceptional Team Depot volunteers, whose passion, dedication, and kindness truly embody the spirit of “Doing the Most Good.”

Corporate Partners

In-Kind Partners