The Sapulpa Salvation Army, as it’s been commonly known, is undergoing a name change since the organization recently announced that they were formally splitting from the Boys and Girls Clubs of America organization.
Jake Law, the Area Director for Salvation Army, implied the decision was made by BGCA, not the Salvation Army. There’s been no official reason given for the disaffiliation.
“There has been no official statement from BGCA as to why they are headed in this direction so I really can’t speak on their behalf,” he told Sapulpa Times via email. “As for us, we appreciate all the years we held the charter with them and will see little impact with the charter going away besides a new name.”
The new name will officially be “The Salvation Army Red Shield Youth Center of Creek County.”
The official statement from the Salvation Army on the move to separate from the BGCA shed some light on the decision, indicating that while BGCA was focused on youth-oriented programming and activities, the Salvation Army offers a broader range of services, catering to more of a “whole family” approach.
“As a faith-based charity committed to meeting the needs of the communities in which we operate, The Salvation Army often partners with organizations who support our mission,” the statement read. “We have had an affiliation with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in Creek County as it relates to some aspects of our youth programming. That affiliation concluded on January 10, 2025.”
The statement ensured that parents would see little change in their day-to-day activities, and there was no announcement about certain programs being discontinued. “We expect minimal immediate impact to day-to-day operations and remain fully committed to providing safe, enriching, and supportive environments and engagement opportunities for youth.”