William Booth and his wife Catherine founded The Salvation Army in 1865 when dealing with the poor of London's East End. They advocated the Army's mission should be "Soup, Soap and Salvation," then took their mission directly to the streets, helping to feed the hungry, rehabilitate alcoholics and fight teenage prostitution, all while preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In 1878, after reading a printer's proof of The Salvation Army's Annual Report, William Booth noticed the statement, "The Christian Mission under the Superintendent of the Reverend William Booth is a volunteer army." Booth crossed out the words "Volunteer Army" and wrote in "Salvation Army." William Booth became the General. Converts became Soldiers. And The Salvation Army became an Army with a mission to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Soon, The Salvation Army fanned out across the world establishing new community centers, performing social service work and providing disaster relief.

• In 1906, in the aftermath of the San Francisco earthquake, The Salvation Army set up tent cities, served as cooks and spent $4 million, the Army's entire available resource for that year.
• During World War I, American Salvationists ministered to home-sick troops in Europe. The young women officers, who came to be known as "Doughnut Girls," caught the attention of the troops and American public.
• During the Great Depression, The Salvation Army increased social service work by 700 percent. Soup kitchens fed the homeless and homes for unwed mothers remained open thorough the generosity of farmers' and merchants' gifts.
• In 1941, The Salvation Army led the creation of the U.S.O. (United Service Organizations), a cooperative venture among several social service and religious organizations. Red Shield Clubs offered showers, meals and emergency sleeping accommodations to servicemen with the hospitality of a "home away from home."

Today, The Salvation Army is present in 111 countries and continues to meet the physical and spiritual needs of those in need. In the United States alone, The Salvation Army helps more than 34 million people through programs and services that address poverty, domestic violence, homelessness, hunger, drug addition, gangs and illiteracy.

History of the Southern California Division

For 120 years, The Salvation Army has been feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, and changing the lives of countless men and women in Los Angeles. The Salvation Army’s presence in Southern California dates back to May 8, 1887, when an open air street meeting was held on the corner of Temple and Broadway in downtown Los Angeles. A plaque remains in the sidewalk even now to commemorate the event.

Prior to this meeting, a church or Corps (as it is known in The Salvation Army world) had been established in the Skid Row area of Los Angeles Street. In 1892, the Corps moved to First Street where The Salvation Army occupied almost the entire block with a men’s transient hotel (Metropole) and a men’s industrial complex, the forerunner of today’s Adult Rehabilitation Centers. In 1899, The Salvation Army opened a rescue home for “fallen women” in Los Angeles known as Booth Memorial Center.

The Army’s work expanded quickly in Los Angeles with the opening of other Corps and facilities for social welfare programs. For example, The Salvation Army Los Angeles Day Care Center opened in 1920 for mothers working to assist the war effort. Even today, the L.A. Day Care serves approximately 250 children of parents employed in the downtown L.A. garment and produce districts. Other programs in the city assist families living with HIV/AIDS, men and women working to overcome addictions, disabled veterans, evacuees from Hurricane Katrina, senior citizens trying to live on a fixed income, and children who need a safe place to go after school.

Another notable date in the history of the Southern California Division is January 1, 1920, when the Los Angeles No. 2 Band marched in the Tournament of Roses parade for the very first time. The 87-year-old tradition commenced because of the efforts of Mr. Harry Chandler, the publisher of the Los Angeles Times, who also served on The Salvation Army Advisory Board.

Throughout 2007, the Southern California Division will be celebrating its long and fruitful presence in Los Angeles with special events and a concerted effort to share its history with all people living in the area. Check back for more information … coming soon.