The Salvation Army in Zurich, Switzerland, offers practical help and confidence through art, meals, and housing support

The Salvation Army in Zurich offers a range of practical support through its various initiatives, providing both tangible assistance and emotional encouragement. At the Malatelier, volunteers prepare meals for the snack Hope, while residents engage in creative activities such as painting and crafting. These activities are not just for entertainment but serve as a means of fostering a sense of purpose and community.

Martina Meyner, head of the Housing and Accompanying Division at the Hope House, emphasizes the importance of presence and support. She explains that while some residents come to the center with their own motivation, others require more assistance to establish a daily routine. The Hope House, located at Ankerstrasse 33, is part of the Salvation Army’s broader mission to offer shelter and support to those in need.

The Salvation Army operates globally, with over 1.8 million members in 134 countries. Since 2023, the organization has been led by General Lyndon Buckingham from New Zealand. In Switzerland, the Salvation Army is known as the “most peaceful army in the world,” with around 3500 soldiers and over 100 officers who have theological training. These officers commit to a modest lifestyle and abstain from alcohol, tobacco, drugs, pornography, and excessive drug use.

The Salvation Army’s work in Switzerland includes operating collective shelters for migrants, shelters for homeless individuals, and in Western Switzerland, it also manages old age and nursing homes. The organization’s activities are funded by a turnover of 217 million francs in 2024, making it the largest private Christian social work organization in the country. It fulfills numerous service contracts with cities and communities, demonstrating its commitment to public service.

One resident, Petra Saxer, 57, shares her experience of finding support at the Hope House. Having spent more than half her life in psychiatric institutions, she feels for the first time that someone is truly listening. She participates in cleaning tasks and works on her own in the afternoons, expressing a desire for greater independence, such as cooking and shopping for herself.

The Hope House, with its green-painted façade symbolizing hope, features warm colors and light inside. It provides a home for 33 individuals with psychological diagnoses or addictions, offering a supportive environment as part of the Salvation Army’s social work in Zurich.

Source: Read the original report (translated from German)