The children of asylum–seekers joyfully zip around on scooters and play games on the floor of the Salvation Army gym in Portland, Maine, as they wait for dinner; sharing the space with 77 people. Hundreds of asylum–seekers from various countries in Africa are showing up in Portland, but the housing market is tight and there are few prospects for work.

The Salvation Army officers here are simply focused on helping people through the love of Christ.

By providing families with English as a Second Language classes, life skills, and computer classes they are helping setup families for employment opportunities.

The organization is also working with the Maine Immigrants Rights Coalition to provide space for these 77 people, many of whom get coffee in the morning from the Army’s “Holy Grounds” coffee ministry.

Over coffee, Salvation Army officers and employees are able to identify the best next steps for each of these families.