With November coming to a close also comes the end to Homeless Awareness Month. The holiday season is often the more charitable of times in which citizens reach out to lend a helping hand with volunteerism or monetary and material donations. The Salvation Army has its arms open for those in need and is taking measures to prevent homelessness to needful citizens before it can occur.

Salvation Army of Copper Country Director Pete Mackin wants citizens to be aware of the resources available to those in danger of losing their homes and those who are able and desire to assist.  While the homeless problem in the area is not as bad as it has been in years prior, the Salvation Army has given assistance to those in jeopardy of losing their home even as recent as this week.

Mackin shared that the organization had assisted a veteran who was about to lose their ability to pay a rent that had recently increased, and emphasized this as an example as to what the Salvation Army has been trying to do in recent times.

Mackin explained that it is best to act in a preventative manner and provide available assistance to those in need before they lose their shelters because the expenses to aid them are greater after the fact, and the ability to provide assistance becomes more difficult.

“Every dollar you spend on prevention you save $5 to $10 when they’re actually homeless,” he said. “Because you have to pay for hotel rooms which can be [around] $85 a night and it’s a lot more expensive.”

An example of a preventative measure would be assisting the payment of a bill or rent that will turn someone completely under regarding financial stability. It is not likely for assistance to be granted to an individual who seeks to bring harm to the community, but those who are facing homelessness can share their story to those at the Salvation Army and they will hear the individuals out.

The Salvation Army also provides assistance to those who are looking to rid themselves of addictive substances that have led to negative situations including homelessness.

“I always have a bus ticket to a recovery center available at any day, any day of the week,” Mackin said. “If you’re on the street and you’re struggling, and you can’t stop drinking, or you can’t stop using drugs I can get you on a bus tonight at 10 o’clock down to our recovery center in Milwaukee or four or five other locations.”

Mackin expressed that there is no judgment from those who are reaching out regarding the threat of homelessness or addiction, since some members of the Salvation Army have been through similar situations themselves.

“Don’t feel guilty,” he said. “That’s what we’re here for as a community.”

The easiest way for those wishing to assist those in need is to give donations to the Salvation Army ringers at local businesses with their red kettles. 

Donations made to the Salvation Army go into assistance, and Mackin explained that they have been maximizing the help they can provide by sharing the financial burden with other organizations such as Veterans Affairs.  This ensures that no organization will take too large of a hit to resources when providing assistance and the assistance provided is of the best quality.

Those who wish to do more than just donate however can help through volunteering.  Volunteers can assist the Salvation Army with clothing sorting or food pantry stocking, but there are also avenues for those who want to help with people directly to become trained to do so.

The Salvation Army holds many partnerships with other groups which specialize in training such as de-escalation tactics. The Salvation Army receives assistance from entities such as law enforcement, of which both will frequent areas in Copper Country known for homeless groups and check in to see if they are safe and offer help.