SUCCESS STORIES
The Salvation Army helped my family find a safe place to stay so my husband and I could continue working until we found a permanent home. Our kids were able to stay in their same school, too, which made this situation easier for us to deal with." --Lori
Megan was struggling and turned to the Salvation Army for guidance. She had recently left her abusive husband, and her unemployment money was running out. She was actively looking for a job, but had no luck. Megan also needed medication, but had no health insurance. The Salvation Army was able to help by providing her with a clothing voucher and referral to Martha’s closet to help her dress for success. They provided her with the new V.W. prescription discount card allowing Megan to buy her medication. The Salvation Army also informed Megan about the Power On program to help pay her electric bills. Now the future is looking brighter for Megan.
“I feel like I am a part of a family here and everyone treats everyone the same. Sometimes people like to treat people different and then you try to run from your problems and end up here. [Booth Brown House] is a good place to think over your actions and plan ahead for what you’re going to do when you get out. I think when I get out I’m going to be a part of my family and participate around the house. I think this place has really helped me, because everyone is so friendly around here and it’s a very good atmosphere for people to be in. I hope other people see this place like I do because I feel that this place may have changed the way I see my life.” --Teen Resident at Booth Brown House Shelter
Bill had hit rock bottom in his own words. His wife, Mona had kicked him out for drinking and using drugs. It was a wake up call, he was an alcoholic and a drug addict, depressed and he had no where to go. He came to us to help take control of his life. He found a job via our bulletin board, and we gave him bus cards, clothes, and hygiene products. We saw Bill again two weeks later; he was a changed man inside and out. He was sober and employed, on the road to recovery. Mona had referred him to a support group and will take him back if he keeps up the good work. Bill’s grateful he was able to get back from rock bottom thanks to the support of others and his will to live.
“Because of The Salvation Army I have been out of prison for seven months and I have a home, an income, a job, I have my son and I’m starting school. And I’ve learned so much. The people at The Salvation Army taught me how to say, ‘I can’t do this, help me,’ and the caring people here will help you.” --Susan
“The Salvation Army helped me pay my outstanding bills and save up money to apply for a house. I saved up for two years and now I have a home. The first time I cut the grass I’m sure my neighbors thought I was crazy– there I was in my best clothes mowing the lawn with tears running down my face.” -- Calvin
George didn’t think he’d ever need the Salvation Army. He always had a good, stable job. He was the person who donated to the Salvation Army, not the person that used the Salvation Army. George had donated to food shelves for years, and even volunteered in one, but soon George found himself on the other side of the equation. George had lost his job of 15 years and needed food assistance for his family. The Salvation Army provided George with not only food, but guidance. The Salvation Army told George not to feel ashamed of his situation, saying that everybody needs help sometime in their lives, and that this was his. George was able to bring home not only food that day, but peace of mind, and hope for the future.
“You can’t generalize about homelessness—it’s so individual and it’s a very, very complex issue. Some people don’t want help, and they’ll die homeless; others have addictions, mental health issues; some people just made bad choices and they can’t get out from under them. I’m learning that mostly, the people I work with are the same as us, they just don’t have money. No matter where you go, the condition of the human heart is the same—everyone just wants to laugh and have something to cry about.” -- Salvation Army Caseworker Heidi Batten
