In early March, The Salvation Army Mobile Outreach Unit was in danger of being kicked out of Uptown. The unit, a service of The Salvation Army Harbor Light of Chicago, offers on-site mental health and substance abuse assessments, referrals and hot meals to those in need, and provides transportation to a treatment facility. It makes a regularly scheduled stop at the intersection of Marine Drive and Wilson Avenue in Uptown.
The unit initially received a 30-day notice by 46th Ward Alderman James Cappleman to find a new place to park.
“While we were seeing success stories and improvements in quality of life for those in need, we still had persistent chronic homelessness that was centralized in the area near where the Salvation Army Mobile Food Truck provided services,” Cappleman wrote on his website.
After several meetings between Cappelman and representatives from The Salvation Army, protests by community members and a flurry of media attention, the two parties came to an agreement that allows the unit to continue providing services in Uptown.
“Sometimes God uses what started out as wrong or bad and turns it into good, and that’s certainty what we have seen here,” said Salvation Army Captain Nancy Powers, who oversees the program. “We have seen the attention brought to the needs of the homeless.”
David Bahena stares out of a window of the intensive rehabilitation unit at The Salvation Army Harbor Light of Chicago, located on the Near West Side. "This is the window we look out to see the word," said Bahena, who had been sober for six weeks. The in-patient program works with patients suffering from alcoholism and substance abuse. Photo by Jonathan Gibby
A small shrine with photos of patient David Bahena’s children sits on the windowsill of his room of the intensive rehabilitation unit at The Salvation Army Harbor Light center. “I tried to get clean before, but last year I ended up leaving the program because my girl was six months pregnant and I ended up using again when I was out,” said Bahena, whose primary motivation to stay sober are his children. Photo by Jonathan Gibby
David Bahena sits in a group therapy session of the intensive rehabilitation unit at The Salvation Army Harbor Light center. In addition to an intense schedule of weekly meetings, patients also have daily chores, recreation and attend individual sessions with counselors. Photo by Jonathan Gibby
A painting created by a former patient is displayed in the intensive rehabilitation unit. The aim of the onsite transitional jobs program is to provide training to help secure employment. Photo by Jonathan Gibby
A woman takes an assessment test at the transitional jobs program at The Salvation Army Harbor Light center. Photo by Jonathan Gibby
Employees work in the offices of The Salvation Army Harbor Light center. Photo by Jonathan Gibby
A note thanking the staff is seen in the offices of the Mobile Outreach Unit at The Salvation Army Harbor Light center. The unit provides meals, case management, and ministry to the homeless and needy throughout Chicago. Photo by Jonathan Gibby
Two case workers prepare to depart in the chaser van, which follows the mobile feeding truck throughout the city. The van is used to shuttle homeless people back to The Salvation Army Harbor Light center if they would like to receive treatment. Photo by Jonathan Gibby
The Mobile Outreach Unit makes a stop at Wilson Avenue and Marine Drive in Uptown. “Sometimes God uses what started out as wrong or bad and turns it into good, and that’s certainty what we have seen here. We have seen the attention brought to the needs of the homeless,” said Salvation Army Captain Nancy Powers in regards to a recent controversy with 46th Ward Alderman James Cappleman. Photo by Jonathan Gibby
A server prepares some food for a customer during a stop at Wilson Avenue and Marine Drive in Uptown. Photo by Jonathan Gibby
A local man receives some food during a stop at Wilson Avenue and Marine Drive in Uptown. Photo by Jonathan Gibby
Warren Peeler, an outreach counselor aid and food server, looks out the window of the food truck during a stop at Wilson Avenue and Marine Drive in Uptown. Photo by Jonathan Gibby
Two men speak with case workers after receiving food from the Mobile Outreach Unit. Photo by Jonathan Gibby
The reflection of the truck is seen in a mirror while the unit drives to another stop on its daily schedule. Photo by Jonathan Gibby
