Salvation Army

The City of Bloomington and Town of Normal have launched a website that wants to make it easier to help the unhoused in the Twin Cities. The campaign has two goals in mind.

The Salvation Army's Safe Harbor shelter hosted a two-day resource fair to help clients exiting the emergency winter shelter connect with needed services.

The Salvation Army of Bloomington announced its Red Kettle Campaign raised $692,249, surpassing its target by more than $20,000.

When it feels like 20 below zero outside people are advised to stay inside, yet advocates who help the unhoused are braving the cold in Bloomington-Normal to help the roughly 130 people they estimate have no place inside to call home.

Salvation Army Safe Harbor's new director of residential services says her immediate goal is to get people out of the cold since that's the biggest challenge the unhoused face this winter.

While the Salvation Army of Bloomington announced its Emergency Winter Shelter would not open in time for a promised Oct. 15 launch, the City of Bloomington stepped in to provide resources and make it happen.

Many staying in the encampment in Bloomington cannot live in congregate shelter settings. And even if they can, the Salvation Army might not have enough room for them.

The Bloomington City Council is scheduled to vote during its regular meeting Monday on an emergency declaration that would enable the Salvation Army shelter to expand indoor capacity over the winter months.

Salvation Army purchased three apartment buildings in south Bloomington in mid-July to convert into housing for homeless veterans. But in doing so, the Christian-based homeless services nonprofit is forcing current tenants out.

Rural homelessness is on the rise and not all counties have the tools they need to help people find permanent supportive housing. In Central Illinois, most rural counties don't have homeless shelters.