Testimonials

 
“I became homeless as a result of some bad decisions. I entered The Salvation Army shelter in October 2008 seeking rehabilitation and a fresh start. My caseworker immediately enrolled me in the Army’s in house recovery program, Safe Haven.  I started attending a local church, have secured permanent employment, and I am enrolled full-time in college.”  Desiree

According to Melissa King, Desiree’s caseworker, “Desiree is working very hard to meet all her goals. Her most recent accomplishment has been to move into our transitional housing unit, The Way House. Desiree’s next step is to save enough money to obtain permanent housing for not only herself, but her two small children who currently live with her mother. One day she hopes to become an architect."

Homework never came easily to 9 year old Erin. She had a lot going on in her life already, and she didn’t seem to care much about school. To top it off, Erin struggled with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, another barrier to her learning ability. Then, Erin started attending The Salvation Army’s Boys and Girls Club. Immediately, teachers in the program knew they had a tough little girl on their hands. But they worked with her. Within a few months, they started seeing a big change in Erin. She started showing a desire to do well in her homework and her grades improved.

“Homework help from a professional staff made all the difference.”  Erin’s dad

Not too many people would give a recovering drug user a second chance, much less a warm bed, clothes, healthy meals, job training, and an employment reference. But The Salvation Army’s shelter did just that—and more – for Kimberly. Resumes, work attire, job training, job placement and transportation are the stepping stones to lasting and meaningful employment. Kimberly’s case worker helped her to navigate these areas through personalized counseling and interaction. Kimberly not commands a good salary at day’s end, she goes home to a cozy apartment.

“The Salvation Army can change your life.  It can turn something bad into something good."  Kimberly

At age 8, Shawn Okpebholo first heard melodious strains playing in his brain and started putting them down on paper—even winning a musical composition contest at his school. However, if it hadn’t been for a kind and caring Salvation Army officer, who put a brass baritone in his hands, little Shawn might not have grown up to become a musical composer. Today, he’s Dr. Shawn Okpebholo, having received his doctorate at age 26. Currently Shawn is teaching at a university.

“I faced many struggles in my life that led me into a dark world of addiction. I lost my beautiful children, my home, my job and my car. I hit rock bottom and ended up at the Army’s Homeless Shelter.

Some may call entering a Shelter, ‘a humbling experience.’  I, however, embraced it and knew it was God’s provision for me. The Salvation Army offered me the tools I needed to recover mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. They helped me rebuild my life. I was able to grow at my own pace.

During my stay, I met with a therapist and social worker weekly, attended life skill classes, and participated in the Safe Haven support group for women in recover. Before leaving The Salvation Army, I had acquired my own housing, regained custody of my two year old son, and obtained a status of employment that I never thought was possible. When people give to The Salvation Army they are doing a lot more than they probably think.”  Natalie