Mission Statement

SACRAMENTO NAVIGATORS MISSION STATEMENT

Our Foundation

Faith in Christ: Salvation through Jesus Christ is central to our mission and service. We operate on biblical principles that guide our work and relationships with those we serve, regardless of their beliefs. We serve all people.

Our Approach

Holistic Service: We address the complete needs of individuals—physical, emotional, and spiritual—recognizing that sustainable recovery and life transformation require comprehensive support. Our 18-month program is designed to heal the whole person, not just their immediate circumstances.

Compassion Without Boundaries:

We extend help to those in need without discrimination or judgment, believing every person deserves dignity and opportunity. Our doors are open to all seeking change, regardless of their past or present struggles. We are open to all people who are in need.

Responsible Stewardship:

We commit to using our resources wisely, efficiently, and transparently to maximize positive impact. We honor the trust placed in us by donors, partners, and program participants by maintaining the highest standards of financial accountability.

Our Community Commitment

Radical Inclusivity: We serve all people, regardless of their background, beliefs, or circumstances, creating an environment where everyone is welcomed and valued. While our foundation is rooted in Christian faith, we respect the unique journeys of everyone we serve.

Community Engagement and Transformation:

We strengthen local communities by developing individuals into productive, independent citizens. By transforming lives one at a time, we contribute to safer, healthier, and more vibrant neighborhoods across Sacramento.

Justice & Advocacy:

We stand against social injustices, including poverty, addiction, and homelessness. We advocate for systemic changes while providing direct pathways out of these conditions through our work training and recovery programs.

Our Methods

Discipleship & Practical Faith Expression:

We share Christian faith through both actions and words, demonstrating how biblical principles provide practical guidance for recovery, responsibility, and renewed purpose.

Strategic Partnerships: We collaborate with shelters, businesses, government agencies, and other nonprofits to create comprehensive support networks and employment opportunities for program participants. These partnerships multiply our impact and create sustainable pathways to independence.

Employment and Housing Focus:

We provide specialized work training that equips participants with marketable skills while helping them transition from shelter living to independent housing, breaking the cycle of homelessness through economic empowerment.

Our Commitment to Excellence

Integrity & Accountability:

We maintain rigorous ethical standards in all aspects of our work, holding ourselves accountable to our participants, supporters, and the broader community. We measure our success by the transformed lives and lasting independence we achieve. Continuous Growth and Learning: We continually evaluate and refine our approaches based on outcomes, participant feedback, and emerging best practices in recovery and workforce development.

Our Heritage

The guiding principles of Sacramento Navigators find their historical roots in the transformative work of The Salvation Army. This organization has provided over 150 years of service to the most vulnerable members of society. Founded in 1865 by William and Catherine Booth in the impoverished East End of London, The Salvation Army began as a mission to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of the destitute. William Booth, a Methodist minister, abandoned conventional church methods after witnessing the desperate conditions of London's poor, proclaiming, "While women weep, as they do now, I'll fight; while little children go hungry, as they do now, I'll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I'll fight."

This revolutionary approach combined practical assistance with spiritual guidance—a methodology summarized in their motto "Soup, Soap, and Salvation." The Booths recognized that addressing physical needs created pathways to discuss deeper spiritual matters, a principle that transformed countless lives across Victorian London and eventually spread worldwide. By 1880, the Salvation Army had established operations in the United States, bringing their unique blend of compassionate service and evangelical outreach to America's growing urban centers.

The Salvation Army pioneered many social service innovations we now take for granted: homeless shelters that offered dignity rather than mere charity, rehabilitation programs focused on developing skills and self-sufficiency, and community centers providing support regardless of religious affiliation. Their approach was holistic, addressing the complete person rather than just immediate crises.

These principles profoundly influenced our founders at Sacramento Navigators during their formative experiences with The Salvation Army's outreach and training programs. They witnessed firsthand how practical assistance combined with spiritual guidance could transform lives trapped in cycles of addiction and homelessness. Drawing from this rich heritage, they established Sacramento Navigators as an independent organization that embodies these time-tested principles while adapting them to the specific needs of our local community.

Today, while operationally independent from The Salvation Army, we honor this lineage by continuing their tradition of faith-based action, practical training, and compassionate support. We remain committed to the foundational belief that lasting transformation comes through addressing the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—and that everyone deserves the opportunity for renewal, regardless of their past.