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A Salvation Army outreach team connected with Salem Grimm in a park and helped him find a path to safety and stability.
With the sun beating down in Tempe, Arizona, a Salvation Army street-level outreach team from The Phoenix Family Services Herberger Center moved through a park, carrying coolers of water and engaging with people about relief options.
Among the individuals they connected with was 22-year-old Salem Grimm, suddenly without a home and facing the challenge of figuring out where to go next as temperatures exceeded 110 degrees.
“I didn’t have a housing plan at the time because my focus was on staying hydrated and finding what little shade was around,” said Grimm. “The heat really slows you down.”
Just a week earlier, he had a roof over his head, but a housing conflict with a roommate left him searching for alternatives. At the same time, Grimm was nearing the completion of an automotive trade school program and was determined to graduate.
“I had come too far to give up on school,” Grimm said.
After getting to know Grimm at the park, Phoenix Family Services Herberger Center Case Worker Nicole Crenshaw helped meet his immediate needs—including food safe for a severe allergy—and got him out of the heat.
“Our goal is to meet urgent needs like food, water, and heat relief,” Crenshaw said. “But just as important is identifying potential housing and long-term support options.”
Since 2023, Arizona’s annual point-in-time (PIT) counts have shown an increase in homelessness among teens and young adults, including a 24 percent rise among those ages 24 to 35.
“We see such a need for housing for individuals of all ages as well as families,” said Michele Kirkpatrick, Emergency Assistance, Outreach and Contact Compliance Manager for The Salvation Army Phoenix Family Services Herberger Center.
She noted that the shelter only accommodates families and often reaches capacity, leading the team to work with local shelters and resources to connect clients with immediate housing options.
“I feel lucky The Salvation Army was there, stepping in when I had no idea what to do next.”
Salem Grimm
“It’s common for our waiting list to exceed 200 people,” Kirkpatrick said. “So it becomes crucial for us to work alongside other community resources.”
For Grimm, this led to Native American Connections, a three-month transitional housing program for individuals 18–24 experiencing homelessness, providing him with a stable place to stay while working toward long-term stability.
“It was almost unreal to feel like I had a team behind me wanting the best for me,” Grimm said. “It isn’t something I’m used to.”
With the combined support and transportation assistance, Grimm was able to attend his graduation ceremony and receive his automotive diploma.
“School became one of my biggest motivators and accomplishments,” Grimm said. “I wanted to stay busy, keep learning, and better myself, and I knew that graduating would help me find a job.”
Just weeks after graduation, Grimm put his plan into action, landing a job in automotive and following his passion for working with cars.
He said his next goal is to keep saving to move out of supportive housing to live independently.
“That day in the park has really stayed with me,” Grimm said. “I feel lucky The Salvation Army was there, stepping in when I had no idea what to do next.”
Looking ahead, Grimm said he wants to be a voice for young adults facing homelessness.
“I want to help others see that they can overcome whatever they’re going through,” Grimm said. “Sometimes all it takes is a little help, but you have to keep going.”
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