Created by Wiliam Booth, a methodis preacher, the Salvation Army is a Christian denomination and international charitable organisation organised in a quasi-military structure. The initial purposes was to bring salvation to the poor, destitute and hungry by meeting both their "physical and spiritual needs". The association has a presence in 126 countries, running charity shops, operating shelters for the homeless, and providing disaster relief and humanitarian aid to developing countries. The Foundation works in three directions : "To help, to accompany, to rebuild".

 

"To help: Persons in difficulty, persons who are lonely, desperate, often victims of physical or moral violence etc., situations of exclusion and distress.

To assists: the more fragile populations on a medium and long-term basis with a view to social insertion, extending beyond their immediate needs. 

To rebuild: Their ultimate ambition is to promote the reinsertion of persons on the fringe of society, in order to assist them in their personal  reconstruction". ( Salvation Army in France)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ESI SAINT MARTIN

 

Located in a former subway station belonging to the RATP (Parisian transport system), in place de la République, the ESI Saint-Martin is a day center open all year round, seven days a week. People who come to the center, have access to a large range of services: breakfast, coffee, shower, laundry services, and a library. The staff and volunteers also offers social duties (social security, legal advice and infirmary).

 

 

To learn more about ESI Saint-Martin, go check their page on the Salvation Army website.