PATHWAY OF HOPE
THE SALVATION ARMY OF PETOSKEY LAUNCHES PATHWAY OF HOPE PROGRAM TO HELP LOCAL FAMILIES OVERCOME INTERGENERATIONAL POVERTY
The Salvation Army of Petoskey has been seeking candidates for Pathway of Hope (POH); a nationwide Salvation Army initiative providing enhanced services to families with children desiring to take action to break the cycle of crisis and intergenerational poverty. POH is a collaborative approach utilizing existing Salvation Army and community resources to provide strengths-based case management services.
POH families are provided a comprehensive support system of services and care as a means to break intergenerational cycles of poverty through other means to overcome barriers to success. Success is measured by a family’s progression through the program via obtaining small goals and milestones, stabilized housing, reduction of barriers, increased hope, reduction of dependency on Salvation Army and other community resources, improved finances, and may also develop strong community and spiritual ties.
A prior pilot program that was launched demonstrated a significant impact on families and communities. 90% of the programs first 260 families completed an initial needs and goals assessment. 74% of the families who fully engaged in the program demonstrated increased stability.
The Petoskey Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation provided a $15,000.00 grant to ensure Emmet County families have the support they need to achieve their goals through its Fund for the Community, Dan and Linda CasaSanta Family Fund, Todd and Kathy Petersen Charitable Fund and Clarke Family Fund. The Frey Foundation added an additional grant of $10,000.00 for families in Emmet, Charlevoix, and Antrim Counties. Tom Smith provided $20,000.00 through the PHSACF to help provide the program with a full-time dedicated caseworker and set everything in motion, while many private donors contributed to the program directly and in memory of the late Bob Charlton.
Envoy, Greg Irwin says “Bob Charlton was a well-respected and dedicated member of our Advisory Board and community. He was a cherished advisor and a treasured friend. He truly cared about the people living here and really believed in The Salvation Army, its mission, and the Pathway of Hope program. We were very blessed to have had him on our team; he was an inspiration to me personally and to so many in our community. He will be dearly missed.”
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. For more information about our ministry, services and programs, or to donate, please visit us at SAPetoskey.org or call (231)347-3531.