Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good
Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!
Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good
Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!
Pathway of Hope Initiative
At The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division, we believe that every family deserves the basics for human survival. When low-income and impoverished families struggle to make ends meet, we’re here to lend a helping hand with the Pathway of Hope program. Through our initiative, we help families break the cycle of generational poverty and equip them with the tools and resources they need to reach their goals for a better future.
The Salvation Army's Pathway of Hope initiative was launched in 2011 to provide FREE services to families who are ready to improve their situations; with the support and guidance of dedicated caseworkers. Pathway of Hope families create goals, build on important life skills and habits, and work together to make changes for the better.
Our Approach
When families struggle to overcome challenges like unemployment, lack of education and unstable housing, the Pathway of Hope program can help them take action to meet their needs and achieve their full potential. The corps community centers throughout The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division are prepared to set families in need on a route toward stability and self-sufficiency.
Taking Action with the Pathway to Hope
The Salvation Army begins the journey by pairing you with a compassionate caseworker, who’ll map out a personalized plan tailored to the needs of your family. After developing a plan of action, you can access a number of resources we offer at The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division, plus additional services that are available within the community. These services include job training, healthcare, childcare and education, housing options, food assistance, emergency utility assistance, and legal assistance. Our caseworkers can also connect you with services that provide additional support, like spiritual and holistic programs, that can keep you on the right track.
In the months ahead, we’ll chart your progress within the Pathway of Hope program, acknowledging your success and motivating you to continue toward achieving your goals. At the six-month marker of the program, we’ll evaluate what the next best step is for you and your family, whether this means adjusting your goals or developing new ones. Though overcoming adversity can be challenging, we’re here for you every step of the way to help you build a stronger future for you and your family.
Join the Pathway of Hope
Change your future for the better by reaching out to The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division today. To find out how you can join the Pathway of Hope:
CONTACT ONE OF OUR SERVICE CENTERS
OR
How It Works
Caring today for your family’s needs while building a strong future can be challenging. The Salvation Army team will walk alongside you on your family’s journey:
Map It Out
Meet with a caseworker to develop your personalized action plan.
Stay On Track
Chart your progress and see your success with your dedicated case worker on a regular basis.
Reach
Milestones
See where you are at six months and decide what’s next on your journey.
Prepare For The Future
Celebrate your successes. Adjust any further goals. Encourage others.
Resources and Connections
Through your involvement with Pathway of Hope, you’ll be introduced to both Salvation Army and other services that are available within your community which offer:
- - A network of support
- - A sense of community
- - Holistic programs
- - Spiritual guidance
You will be connected with:
- - Job Training
- - Health Services
- - Childcare and Education
- - Housing Options
- - Legal Aid
A Brand New Start
Leaving her friends and family in Arizona behind, Christine moved with her emotionally abusive husband and six children to Michigan. After 15 years of a troubled marriage, she finally found the courage to leave and begin a new chapter in her life.
First was to find a place to call home which she filled with love. She and her children developed roots in the community, making new friends while desperately trying to make ends meet. Her husband was always the sole provider for the family. Christine did her best to make things work, but it wasn’t enough. Her rent and utilities went unpaid for two months and she was struggling to put food on the table.
Christine struck up a conversation with her daughter’s preschool coordinator and explained her situation. The coordinator recommended that Christine reach out to The Salvation Army. Christine knew about The Salvation Army, mostly from the iconic red kettles, but she didn’t know how much the nonprofit organization could help.
On a blustery December day, Christine met with her social worker to discuss her goals. Before they could discuss Christine’s enrollment in the Pathway of Hope program, she was told that she would be able to provide a Christmas for her children through The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. As Christine wiped tears away from her eyes, her social worker handed her an envelope and said, “Merry Christmas.” In it was the exact amount to cover December’s rent.
From that point on, Christine was on a journey to self-sufficiency…and there was no looking back. She established a monthly budget, registered for utility-aid programs and enrolled in community college. With the help of her social worker and partnering agencies, Christine worked hard on reaching her goals. After four months in the Pathway of Hope program, Christine can proudly say that she is the sole provider for her children. She’s able to keep up with her monthly bills and plans to enroll in her community college’s medical sonography program in the fall.
“The Salvation Army is our home,” said Christine. “We have family here and I don’t feel alone anymore. I know that no matter how hard life gets, God will provide for us.”