Published: October 31, 2009 11:39 pm      

Salvation Army, Victim Services rely on United Way

JOHNSTOWN — The Salvation Army and Victim Services Inc. are two different organizations but have one thing in common – each are among United Way of the Laurel Highlands’ 25 member agencies.

Leaders of both the Salvation Army and Victim Services say it would be more difficult for their agencies to provide the many services each does if it were not for their United Way funding.

Should there be no United Way money coming in, the frequency of help from the Salvation Army could lessen, said Maj. Tim Hinzman, Johnstown corps commander.

“Without the United Way it would be very difficult for us to continue to provide the levels of services we now do,” said Wanda D. Vavrek, Victim Services executive director.

The Johnstown Salvation Army, headquartered at

576 Vine St. downtown, offers a myriad of services.

There is food, clothing, shelter for the homeless and a soup kitchen. There are summer camps, prison services, hospital and nursing home visits. There are programs for youth and adults and emergency disaster assistance.

“We help people in need, those who find it financially difficult to meet their daily needs,” Hinzman said.

The Salvation Army is most visible during the holiday season that begins in earnest after Thanksgiving. The Army is well equipped to handle this time of year, Hinzman noted.

It’s the rest of the year that the organization can use a boost. And that’s when the assistance from the United Way of the Laurel Highlands helps the Salvation Army to keep operating at its best possible levels, Hinzman said.

“Our United Way money enhances the day-to-day quality of our program,” he said.

Victim Services, with offices at 638 Ferndale Ave. in Johnstown and 427 W. Ridge Road in Somerset, provides crisis intervention; counseling; accompaniment to medical, police and justice proceedings; assistance with Crime Victims Compensation claims; and education for schools, community groups and businesses.

Services are free and confidential. There is a 24-hour hotline at (800) 755-1983.

“We serve males and females, adults and children,” Vavrek said.

She said Victim Services provides help to about 3,000 victims a year.

Its United Way funding helps the agency provide services for victims of violent crimes, such as homicide, burglary, robbery and sexual assault, as well as less-violent incidences of drugs and alcohol, Vavrek explained.

Of its estimated 3,000 yearly victims, about 600 of those cases have to do with sexual violence, Vavrek said.