How the Cascade Mobile Outreach Ministry creates lasting change

“I get referrals from the police department, fire department, schools, even librarians—calls for different situations,” Neal said. “It might be individuals who are camped out or who are about to get evicted. So the focus of this is dual: trying to pull some out of homelessness and prevent homelessness as well.”

Now that she’s come to know The Salvation Army Spear plans to pay it forward. She said she probably never would have contacted a church for help.

By Karen Gleason

Story originally reported in Caring Magazine

“I never thought I’d be on this side of things, and needing help,” said Lee Spear, who became homeless in December 2021. Even without a house or an apartment to call home, she said she was lucky—she still had her car, where she was living with her dog. But unlike some individuals who remain unhoused for years, Spear was able to move into an apartment by the following summer. She credits The Salvation Army Cascade Mobile Outreach Ministry with making this possible.

In November 2021, the Cascade Division launched its grant-funded Mobile Outreach Ministry with a 15-passenger van, aiming to help prevent and end homelessness in the more rural, underserved communities outside Portland, Oregon—the Tri-County area of Washington, Clackamas and Multnomah counties.

The Mobile Ministry van operates as a mobile office for outreach and case management services, including housing retention, outreach and engagement, basic needs—food, shower, laundry—intensive case management, health care navigation, and housing navigation and tenancy support.

“But every time I have walked away from any kind of contact with The Salvation Army, I have realized that my shoulders weren’t up around my ears,” she said. “I did not ever feel like I was going to be pounced on by someone— asked for something in return. I don’t think many people realize there’s that kind of unconditional welcome.”

“I try to focus on doing good, on caring work and showing people kindness,” Neal said. “What’s important is the planting of seeds and getting people and kids in the church and praying over them, sharing the gospel with them. When Christ comes into their life, that’s when the real change takes place. That’s the driving force of this.”