During the summer of 2009, life changed suddenly for Tonya Harley and her two small children, four-year-old Laree and one-year-old James.  In August, Tonya’s husband, the primary bread winner of the family, left.  Around that same time, Tonya became critically ill.  While battling for her life, Tonya says she clearly sensed the presence of God.  Tonya recounts, “During my illness, I rededicated my life to God. God assured me He would take care of us.”  After recovering, life seemed only to get harder.  Tonya became unemployed, her car broke down, and she fell far behind in her rent. “We lost everything in the worldly view.  It’s a big change when you are able to provide for your kids and one day you are not.” Still Tonya says she had peace when entering the Salvation Army’s Emergency Shelter.  A longtime supporter of the Red Kettle Campaign, Tonya knew The Salvation Army would help. 

According to her caseworker, Tonya actively worked toward becoming self-sufficient.  She attended a number of life skills and education classes offered at the Shelter, and completed a Certified Nursing Assistant course at a local college.  While attending classes, Tonya’s children were loved and nurtured in the Salvation Army’s Early Learning Center.

Within six months, Tonya left the Shelter, better educated, more confident, and having secured employment and an apartment for her family. 

Helping Youth Realize Their Full Potential -- Anaiyah’s Story
Anaiyah Cotton, a fourth grader at Booker T. Washington Elementary School, enjoys wrapping up her day at the Salvation Army’s Boys and Girls Club, the positive place for kids.  A Club member since 2007, Anaiyah is known for her high energy, athletic ability, and positive attitude. According to Scott Van Fossen, Director, “Anaiyah embraces all that the Club has to offer.  Her school grades are improving.  She is willing to participate in any activity and often assumes a leadership role.” Anaiyah especially enjoys helping younger club members, being one of the few females in the basketball league, and spending time in the technology center. 

It was the staff and well-rounded programming that convinced Jameka, Anaiyah’s mom, to leave her in the care of The Salvation Army while she worked. According to Jameka, “I like the variety of activities.  Mr. Scott, Coach Larmont, and the rest of the staff really care about the kids. As a parent you need to be comfortable when you leave your child.” Jameka says she senses the same love and concern from the staff in the Early Learning Center who care for her younger children, one-year-old Nehemiah and four-year-old Zion.

Helping Youth Discover Their Talents – The Louis Family

Crista Louis, a single mom, struggles each month just to pay the rent and put food on the table for her four children, Darius, Preston, Tanesha and Nathaniel.  For some time, Darius and Preston expressed having an interest in music, but there was no money in the Louis’ household for renting instruments or paying school band fees. 

This past year Crista’s children have been discovering their music talents and more at The Salvation Army.  According to Nathan Miller, Music Coordinator, “The music program has opened the door to new friendships and has provided a way for Darius and Preston to express themselves.  The lack of confidence they once exhibited has been lost in the music they love to play. I can see a huge difference in the both of them.”

The goal of the Army’s music program is to provide an opportunity for all youth to develop their God-given talent.  The music school is growing.  Last year 242 youth were enrolled.

Helping Others Be All They Can Be -- The Roger Family’s Story

Imagine suffering a heart attack, and losing your job and home while trying to provide for your wife and five children. This was Gerry Roger’s reality in January of 2009. “It is never easy telling your family you are moving to a homeless shelter. But I was thankful that we lived in a city that had one,” says Gerry. Upon entering the shelter, Gerry’s wife, Amy recalls, “I felt as small as an ant. The first week was a big adjustment for all of us.”

Like all residents, the Rogers were assigned a case manager to address their immediate needs, set goals, develop a self-sufficiency plan, and provide ongoing support. While Gerry and Amy were out looking for work or attending classes, their two youngest children were educated at the Salvation Army’s Early Learning Center, and their three school-aged children enjoyed the Army’s Boys and Girls Club after-school programs. The children made many friends and bonded very well with the staff.

Within four months, Gerry found work, and both he and Amy began their educational pursuits in hopes of becoming more financially stable. The family moved into transitional housing and returns on occasion to visit staff, provide updates, and express their gratitude. Thirteen months after entering The Salvation Army Emergency Shelter, life for the Roger’s family changed dramatically. Gerry graduated from a local culinary arts program.  The family moved into a house with a “great big backyard.” When reflecting upon the loss of their home and time at the shelter, Amy says, “Life sometimes throws you curve balls. However, being at The Salvation Army opened all kinds of doors for us. We are very grateful.”

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