Purpose and Hope in Farmington Hills: Katelyn's Story
Katelyn didn’t know where to turn. She was struggling to find a job, and she needed help feeding her kids. She called 211 and was referred to her local Salvation Army Corps in Farmington Hills. Soon after she walked through the door, she became a regular at the Corps’ food pantry and began coming on Sunday mornings for breakfast.
The Salvation Army helped her put food on the table, but Katelyn was depressed about the state of her life. She still did not have a job, and she did not see a way forward. She realized she liked being at the Corps throughout the week and became a volunteer for the same food pantry program she received help from. After being invited to stay for church at Sunday breakfast, Katelyn started attending Sunday church services at the Corps with her three children and several neighborhood children that she babysat.
“I knew I wanted to join the church when I saw how everyone knew each other so well. They were so inviting and loving; they became part of my family. My mother and father were never really a part of my life. My kids don’t have grandparents, but the church members treat my kids like their own.”
The loving community and spiritual support Katelyn found at The Salvation Army gave her a sense of purpose and hope. She decided to become a volunteer leader for the Corps youth program. She made personal goals of obtaining an Early Childhood Education degree and running her own daycare.
Despite the strides Katelyn was making, her daily life remained just as demanding, and she was in danger of having her lights shut off. She asked her newfound family for help and found out about the Corps’ Pathway of Hope program. With assistance from her caseworker, Katelyn not only paid her light bill, she also received a laptop that she used to enroll in online classes to start pursuing her Early Childhood Education degree. Katelyn’s caseworker, Cornelia Matthews, thinks Katelyn’s goal suits her perfectly: “Young people gravitate towards her. She has a caring heart for children and an ability to treat them all with equal amounts of love.”
Lieutenant Anil Kumar, an officer (pastor) at the Farmington Hills Corps, could not be happier about Katelyn joining the church as a Salvation Army soldier. Katelyn’s oldest son has become a junior soldier as well. Each Sunday morning, Katelyn is at the Corps with children – both her neighbors’ and her own – in tow. Katelyn now works part time, volunteers weekly at the Corps, and is continuing her online classes. Whatever challenges she meets in the future, her newfound stability and support through the Pathway of Hope program will always be there to help her move forward.
“The Salvation Army helped me get out of depression and gain my independence. Even when I was just volunteering, it was something I could do to get my mind off what I was going through. I’m going to finish my degree and show my kids that yes, you can do it!”