a major impact on American families and young people across
the country, according to the new report, "Growing Up in a Down-
turn." The report is based on a survey by National Headquarters
of more than 100 youth programs in cities across the country.
Participants responded to questions related to service demand
and giving to their programs during 2011 and since the recession
began in 2008. The survey also looked at the impact of the down-
turn, first�hand, from the youths who are living through it every
day. The report states that 81 percent of Salvation Army social
service centers in cities throughout the United States have seen
increases in requests for youth programs and services, including
education, food, arts and theater, athletics and youth ministries.
Despite an increase in volunteerism at some centers, many pro-
grams were also forced to cut back on services due to the grow-
ing need and losses in funding.
school programs and other activities in more than 80 cities, in-
cluding major metropolitan areas such as Baltimore, Cincinnati,
Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego and San Fran-
cisco participated in the survey. The centers and programs pro-
vide meals, friendship, education, music classes, athletic
opportunities, arts and crafts, camping, Christian fellowship, char-
acter�building experiences and more. The Army also offers serv-
ices for young people who feel the pressures of negative outside
forces. Services include at�risk teen and gang intervention, resi-
dential substance abuse treatment, homeless family shelters and
pregnant and parenting teen programs.
forced to make hard choices
every day about the welfare
and safety of their children,"
said Commissioner William
Roberts, National Com-
mander for The Salvation
Army. "Regardless of their
troubles, The Salvation
Army will be there to help
them through these trying
times so those hard
choices are a little easier
to make."
For Army's Youth Services
"Growing Up in a Downturn,"
visit www.salvationarmyusa.org