Description
The Salvation Army Alegria provides health, housing, and child development services to homeless families with special needs, including residents with chronic illnesses such as HIV/AIDS. The goal is to not just help these families survive, but give them the resources to live dignified, hopeful lives, as well.
The Salvation Army Alegria started in 2001 in response to a request from the Los Angeles County AIDS Regional Board to fill the urgent need for affordable housing and intensive support services for homeless and low-income families affected by HIV/AIDS.
Located in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles, Alegria (Spanish for "joy") is a village-style community made up of 16 licensed transitional living apartments and 28 townhomes for permanent/long-term housing. There is also a licensed child development center onsite that offers free childcare (upon qualification) for 65 boys and girls from Alegria and the surrounding community.
Alegria's second location in downtown Los Angeles opened in 2003 and includes 18 units of emergency housing for homeless families with special need. Services are provided in partnership with the Department of Mental Health, Department of Social Services, and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.
Alegria provides essential healthcare, housing, and child development services in an environment where families can stay together without the stigma attached to the HIV/AIDS diagnosis. Additionally, The Salvation Army Alegria is qualified to handle the increasing number of individuals who are multi-diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, mental illness and substance abuse. At The Salvation Army Alegria, the mission is to keep families together in health and in spirit.
A multitude of comprehensive, case-managed services are provided to promote healthy behaviors, manage chronic conditions and help individuals and families move toward economic strength. All families have access to a highly trained and professional staff of individuals. These experts provide health care services, counseling, substance abuse and sobriety services and HIV/AIDS education; guidance in life skills, child development and parenting; as well as recreational and social activities, tutoring, literacy and computer classes, employment assistance, legal clinics, placement into transitional or permanent housing, if needed, and referrals to other service providers.
