Comments on: The Salvation Army’s War on Christmas http://www.economicrefugee.net/the-salvation-armys-war-on-christmas/ News analysis, communications management, community organizing, and volunteer opportunities engaging Latinos Sat, 14 Jan 2012 16:56:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: Project Economic Refugee , Archive » ‘Tis the Season http://www.economicrefugee.net/the-salvation-armys-war-on-christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-690 Project Economic Refugee , Archive » ‘Tis the Season Wed, 12 May 2010 04:39:07 +0000 http://www.economicrefugee.net/?p=729#comment-690 [...] project’s post on the Salvation Army denying toys to children of economic refugees was picked up by AlterNet (click here to check it out), a MAJOR online hub for [...] [...] project’s post on the Salvation Army denying toys to children of economic refugees was picked up by AlterNet (click here to check it out), a MAJOR online hub for [...]

]]> By: Socorro http://www.economicrefugee.net/the-salvation-armys-war-on-christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-172 Socorro Fri, 15 Jan 2010 03:32:39 +0000 http://www.economicrefugee.net/?p=729#comment-172 Bless you for all the work that you do! Bless you for all the work that you do!

]]> By: Reg825 http://www.economicrefugee.net/the-salvation-armys-war-on-christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-167 Reg825 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 01:43:38 +0000 http://www.economicrefugee.net/?p=729#comment-167 mmm interesting that they actually wrote back to you; as I mentioned in my post, I've been going back and forth on this. Even if the Salvation Army, as a whole, is NOT discriminating against Latinos or other immigrants in a deliberate manner, it is nevertheless taking place, whether intentional or not. The fact that the discrimination took place not just in one place but in multiple places across the nation was troubling, to say the least. I am actually VERY pleased that the Salvation Army got word of what their policies' (unintended or not) consequences are, thanks to the efforts of the Project Economic Refugee community. That is exactly the point of advocacy and of being a watchdog group: bring to light what is going on so that it can improved, fixed, or recognized. For far too long this kind of thing has been taking place, and the fact that it continues to occur to this day is simply unacceptable. Anyway, Salvation Army is correct: they SHOULD find a better policy or method (and a better way to implement it) that will help them prevent fraud, while at the same time ensuring that they will not discriminate against certain kinds of kids because they come from unfortunate family circumstances. Furthermore, this new policy should apply nationwide, to prevent the occasional center that would be too quick to discriminate. Thank you for reporting back on what they responded! mmm interesting that they actually wrote back to you; as I mentioned in my post, I’ve been going back and forth on this. Even if the Salvation Army, as a whole, is NOT discriminating against Latinos or other immigrants in a deliberate manner, it is nevertheless taking place, whether intentional or not. The fact that the discrimination took place not just in one place but in multiple places across the nation was troubling, to say the least. I am actually VERY pleased that the Salvation Army got word of what their policies’ (unintended or not) consequences are, thanks to the efforts of the Project Economic Refugee community. That is exactly the point of advocacy and of being a watchdog group: bring to light what is going on so that it can improved, fixed, or recognized. For far too long this kind of thing has been taking place, and the fact that it continues to occur to this day is simply unacceptable.

Anyway, Salvation Army is correct: they SHOULD find a better policy or method (and a better way to implement it) that will help them prevent fraud, while at the same time ensuring that they will not discriminate against certain kinds of kids because they come from unfortunate family circumstances. Furthermore, this new policy should apply nationwide, to prevent the occasional center that would be too quick to discriminate.

Thank you for reporting back on what they responded!

]]> By: MikeNolan http://www.economicrefugee.net/the-salvation-armys-war-on-christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-166 MikeNolan Tue, 12 Jan 2010 23:20:49 +0000 http://www.economicrefugee.net/?p=729#comment-166 I read the article on Alternet and contacted the Salvation Army in Des Plaines, IL. Here are their comments: Hi Mr Nolan, I am sorry that I have not replied sooner. In short: No, this is not true. Some locations have been asking for social security numbers (Or some OTHER form of Identification--most places will accept foreign consular ID's) from one family member--they have been doing this for years to prevent fraud, and it has nothing to do with immigration. We are looking at our policies on this in order to come up with a way that will help us prevent fraud, but not intimidate undocumented people. Our policy is to help everyone, without discrimination, with as few questions asked as possible. It is very sad that some people will jump on the slightest bit of misinformation and turn it into something like "The Salvation Army's War on Christmas." Most of the articles like this I have been seen have been produced to further some political agenda or another, and the authors will not correct them even when presented with documented fact. I hope that this information is helpful, Jeff Office of Public and Corporate Relations The Salvation Army USA Central Territory Community Relations and Development Department 10 W Algonquin Road, Des Plaines, IL 60018 USCMediaRelations@usc.salvationarmy.org I read the article on Alternet and contacted the Salvation Army in Des Plaines, IL. Here are their comments:
Hi Mr Nolan,

I am sorry that I have not replied sooner.

In short: No, this is not true.

Some locations have been asking for social security numbers (Or some OTHER form of Identification–most places will accept foreign consular ID’s) from one family member–they have been doing this for years to prevent fraud, and it has nothing to do with immigration.

We are looking at our policies on this in order to come up with a way that will help us prevent fraud, but not intimidate undocumented people. Our policy is to help everyone, without discrimination, with as few questions asked as possible.

It is very sad that some people will jump on the slightest bit of misinformation and turn it into something like “The Salvation Army’s War on Christmas.” Most of the articles like this I have been seen have been produced to further some political agenda or another, and the authors will not correct them even when presented with documented fact.

I hope that this information is helpful,

Jeff

Office of Public and Corporate Relations
The Salvation Army USA Central Territory
Community Relations and Development Department
10 W Algonquin Road, Des Plaines, IL 60018
USCMediaRelations@usc.salvationarmy.org

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