Many of the more than 100 programs the Greater New York Division offers are operated out of 39 corps community centers (corps) overseen by corps officers---men and women who have undergone a two year course in residence at a Salvation Army college where they study theology and field-practice courses such as sociology and administration. Officers---, who have titles according to rank such as Captain or Major---, are ordained ministers, as well as community- center directors. From building maintenance to deciding whether to start an ESL program or a choir, the corps officer is responsible for interpreting the needs of each community. Once needs are determined, officers work with more than a thousand Salvation Army Greater New York employees (development and finance staff, social workers, etc.) and over thousands of volunteers to create appropriate programming.
In addition to corps-based programs, The Salvation Army Greater New York Division administers a wide variety of social services which are largely made possible through contracts with government agencies such as the New York City Department of Homeless Services and the New York City Administration for Children's Services.