Antoinette’s Story - One Step at a time
VIDEO
Antoinette and her family were behind on their rent and on the brink of eviction when she met The Salvation Army through relatives who attend the Chicago Temple, Ill., Corps.
There, Antoinette not only received assistance with food and clothing for her eight children, she discovered a larger support network ready to help her. She discovered Pathway of Hope (POH).
Through POH Antoinette has been identifying barriers to sufficiency, setting goals and developing ways to move toward a brighter future. Carmen Staggers, Chicago Temple POH case manager, has helped her in setting meaningful and measurable goals and continues to provide life-skills training.
For instance, a primary need was affordable and ample housing for her family in a safer neighborhood with less influence from gangs and drug dealers. She has learned how to be selective and observant when evaluating potential neighborhoods and housing, working to find a more stable home and living environment. The corps has become a safe haven for her children, providing a sense of hope and stability and helping them to improve in school.
Addressing the goal of employment, Antoinette has been attending the Chicago Harbor Light’s jobsearch program as well as going to job fairs in the city. Yet another goal is to ensure her children graduate from school, so they’ve been working with tutors after-school. The two oldest are already on track to start college, and Antoinette herself plans to finish high school by earning a GED.
Lynn’s Story - Finding a Way Out
There was a sign outside the house where we got arrested, and where the drugs were, that said ‘Closed Alley,’ and that’s how my life was,” recalled Lynn of her darkest days.
“I didn’t have a way out and didn’t see the way out, because the drugs took over.”
Lynn’s life derailed when she started abusing prescription drugs and began associating with addicts. It led to time in jail and nearly killed her.
“I could have died, but God said to me, ‘I have something else for you to do,’” said Lynn, who connected with The Salvation Army in Warsaw, Ind., when Corps Officers Lts. Esteban and Karen Pommier ministered to her family in the aftermath of a house fire and her arrest. After being put on work release, she enrolled in Pathway of Hope and began attending the Warsaw Corps’ Sunday services. With the help of staff member Ken Locke, she set achievable goals and began to turn her life around.
Lynn also participated in corps activities and met with Lt. Karen Pommier to talk about her spiritual life. In November 2013 she rededicated her life to Christ and last May was enrolled as a soldier.
“When it comes to Pathway of Hope we want to go beyond case management,” said Lt. Esteban. “We are making friends, building relationships and ultimately connecting people to the real hope, which is Jesus.”
Lynn is grateful to have a second chance at life, not only as a functioning member of society and leader of women’s ministries at the corps, but as a child of God.
Dan & Rebecca’s Story - Sustaining A Future
Dan and Rebecca, a young couple with three beautiful girls, should have been celebrating the joys of life. They had so much to look forward to, or at least that’s what they thought.
But shortly after giving birth to their third daughter in October 2013, Rebecca lost her job. With no income, the family was soon homeless. Six months later Rebecca finally met The Salvation Army through a multi-agency team meeting at a public school in Grand Haven, Mich.
But shortly after giving birth to their third daughter in October 2013, Rebecca lost her job. With no income, the family was soon homeless. Six months later Rebecca finally met The Salvation Army through a multi-agency team meeting at a public school in Grand Haven, Mich.
The family entered Salvation Army emergency housing in April 2014 and started Pathway of Hope with high hopes. The two older girls fit right in at the corps, joining sunbeams and junior band and attending Sunday school and worship.
Dan and Rebecca worked hard at the goals they set and by July were ready for independent living when crisis struck. Dan was diagnosed with a terminal illness. It turned the family upside down, but they didn’t give up on their goals. They continued to walk the path to hope and in September were married by corps officer Captain Jay Davis.
They secured permanent housing through referrals and applied for Social Security disability benefits to increase their income. Through POH, they have better community support and involvement. And with a plan for their future, the family can deal with Dan’s difficult health issues without constantly being in a state of crisis.
“The Salvation Army was very helpful and also very supportive,” said Rebecca. “We’re going to keep working to better ourselves, our family and our way of living.”
Salvation Army Pathway Of Hope - Fox Cities
105 S Badger Street, Appleton, WI 54911
920.734.2433
