A Dream Come True: Introducing Mattoon’s New Leadership, Envoy Cari Shepherd
A “pipe dream” is often described as an unattainable hope or plan. But for Neoga, Illinois, native Cari Shepherd, what was once a pipe dream became reality with the help of prayer. On October 25, 2024, she was commissioned as an Envoy of The Salvation Army and administrator of the Mattoon Corps Community Center.
Envoys are Salvationists who make a prayerful commitment to serving for a minimum of three years, often in a leadership role within a corps or program, providing full-time spiritual, administrative and programmatic leadership.
Though Envoy Cari’s path in the Army might be considered unconventional, it’s the purpose behind the light and life she plans to breathe into the tight-knit community.
With loving parents who held steady jobs, active faith life in the Neoga Free Methodist Church, and three boisterous younger siblings, Cari describes her childhood as “white-picket-fence perfect.” She grew up well under the poverty line, but that aspect of life went somewhat unnoticed until she turned 10, when her dad was hurt at work and subsequently out of work for 2+ years. Shortly after that, her mom experienced a bad fall and their finances took a hit.
While both parents recovered, they sought assistance from The Salvation Army at Christmas, benefitting from the Angel Tree Toy Town program to provide gifts for Cari and her siblings.
Cari recalls this experience being difficult as a child. Her name and age hung on a tag on a Christmas tree at the Neoga Community Bank – it was unmistakably her – Cari, age 10, Girl. In a town of roughly 1,500 people, everyone seemingly saw her name and knew she was in need.
“I was so grateful, but I told myself, ‘when I’m an adult, I will be on the donating end of the Christmas gifts.’ And I knew I wanted to do things a little differently so that no child felt judgment.”
Cari went on to college and found herself pregnant at 19. She dropped out of school to care for her daughter and had a second daughter three years later. After facing a myriad of challenges in her personal life, Cari and her two daughters turned to The Salvation Army yet again. This time, for childcare.
The Salvation Army of Mattoon’s summer program was not only affordable, but “they loved my kids and it was faith-based,” Cari said. “The officers and staff knew we were struggling and they never made me feel less than. They would send me home with excess food – macaroni and cheese, corn dogs and more – to ensure I’d be able to feed my girls supper.”
One afternoon during a particularly rough patch, Cari was walking through the halls of the Mattoon Corps in tears. Capt. TJ Simmons stopped her and simply asked how he could help. Cari shared that someone had tried to steal her car and he immediately jumped to find a solution. Capt. TJ drove Cari to the local auto shop and purchased a club for her steering wheel to help deter theft.
That quick and simple action meant the world to Cari on that difficult day. “He didn’t judge me. He just found a way to fix it.”
Seeing the kindness and care that both Capt. TJ and his wife Claudia invested in the community, Cari made a plan to start going to church at The Salvation Army regularly. She started teaching Sunday school, and got her husband and daughters involved in the church as well.
“The Simmonses showed us how important faith was and welcomed us into the church community. After they were transferred to the Northern Division, Captains Nathan and Katelyn Cole-North taught us how to heal and grow.” The Norths were instrumental in helping Cari grow in her Christian faith.
Then, as the Norths prepared to move to their next post, Cari pondered the future of The Salvation Army in Mattoon. With much change over the course of her life experience with the Army, she hoped and prayed for stability in the community.
“Capt. Nate said, ‘you know, you could be the officer.’ But I told him it was just a pipe dream. Of course, to which he replied, ‘you didn’t say no.’”
Capt. Nate and Capt. Kaitlyn, along with Capt. Sharyn Tennyson and Majors Bob and Lisa Mueller, encouraged Cari to pray over the corps and the opportunity to step into such a leadership role.
“They lit a spark in me and through prayer, I realized this is where I am meant to be. I want to help the community and breathe new life into The Salvation Army. The poverty level is extremely high in Coles and Cumberland Counties, and I want The Salvation Army to be the go-to place. The consistent and positive light this community deserves.”
Having received services from The Salvation Army as a child, and again as an adult benefitting her own children, Cari has a unique perspective that she brings to each interaction – every client served through their food pantry, every senior who plays shuffleboard in the gym, every customer that shops at the Family Store, and every young mother who needs a hand up and a little hope.
“I know what it’s like. I’ve been where you are. There is light on the other side.”
The work of The Salvation Army is only possible with the generosity of donors. Cari and her active Advisory Board in Mattoon have been working diligently in support of the community and need your help. Consider making a gift now and ensure The Salvation Army continues to thrive, doing the most good for Mattoon.