Expressions of Love: Relationships Prove to Be Lifesaving at Temple Corps in South St. Louis
A young girl with a speech impairment. An elderly woman who’s experienced domestic violence. A teenage boy who has never seen beyond the city limits. A single dad struggling to feed his children.
Envoy Rosetta Hodges,
The Salvation Army Temple Corps
These are just a few of the faces that have walked through the doors of The Salvation Army’s Temple corps in south St. Louis City. And just inside those doors, they’re greeted with open arms by Envoy Rosetta Hodges, affectionately known as “Miss Mo” to those in the community.
She promises three things to those who visit Temple. “If you come here, you know you will be respected, you will be safe and you will be loved. And I ask the same of you in return.”
This philosophy, built on trust and relationships, is critical to making a difference in the lives of the children and adults in the surrounding community.
Temple is located in the Benton Park neighborhood, a diverse urban area sandwiched between two major highways, making it an unfortunate target of crime and drug abuse. The charm of the historic homes, many built in the 1800s, is contrasted with industrial businesses and boarded up buildings that have become home to the homeless.
“There’s not always a lot to feel good about in this community, so our hope is to make people feel good about themselves and it doesn’t take much to do that,” said Envoy Rosetta.
With a full slate of programming each week, Temple corps has become a safe haven to dozens in the area. With just three full-time employees, they somehow make the impossible feel manageable, brightening the lives of those in need
On Sundays, Temple holds church services and fellowship. On Mondays, Bible study and basketball. Tuesdays are for the senior program, which often includes chair yoga, balloon volleyball, crafts, guest speakers and bingo. Always bingo.
On Wednesdays, they serve a community meal to nearly 100 hungry individuals. Afterward, they host music and dance classes – piano, guitar, band, percussion, puppets and singing – most recently having 97 students participate.
“Our music ministry is so well attended and we’re fortunate to have professional dancers and musicians teaching those classes,” said Envoy Rosetta. “If we can get kids in this community into music, they have a pathway to get out and get off the streets. They can do music in middle school, high school and hopefully get a college scholarship.”
Envoy Rosetta and her husband, Kevin, a second-generation Salvationist and Midland divisional sergeant-major, are both passionate about music. He once was part of the Army’s National Capital Band and today participates with the Central Territorial Staff Songsters and plays cornet in the Midland Divisional Band.
By trade, Envoy Rosetta has a degree in special education. She spent seven years as an officer in The Salvation Army’s Southern Territory and has worked with children and teens most of her adult life.
“The kids in this community really need us,” said Envoy Rosetta. “We can’t keep them safe out there, but what they experience inside these walls, we can control. It might be their first positive interaction with an adult in days. It might be their first real meal in days. We are that safe space for them.”
Next door, Temple provides a program for young men and women as space allows. The Salvation Army helps to provide guidance in several areas including getting a driver’s license and opening a bank account, among other life lessons that set them up for long-term success. In turn, they take on responsibility at Temple, assisting with church services and other programs throughout the week.
On Thursdays, Temple opens its food pantry. Food, said Envoy Rosetta, is their most critical need right now. Their pantry shelves lately have been largely empty, especially when it comes to non-perishable food items, which are critical for the large homeless population in the area that does not have a kitchen or a way to cook fresh meat or produce.
“When people can only come to our food pantry once a month, and the week they come, we have next to nothing, they might miss out on the opportunity to have meat that month, for example,” said Envoy Rosetta. “It’s very difficult when we have to close the pantry because we’re out of food.”
Temple’s Amazon Wishlist includes both food and goods urgently needed to serve the community.
Every other Friday, Temple opens its gym to the community for pick-up basketball games. Temple also serves as a cooling center in the hot summer months, providing shelter and water to those in need. The fall season brings additional special events and opportunities. In August, they had a barber come in and give back to school haircuts to children in the community. In October, they will host a Trunk or Treat.
Every other Friday, Temple opens its gym to the community for pick-up basketball games. Temple also serves as a cooling center in the hot summer months, providing shelter and water to those in need. The fall season brings additional special events and opportunities. In August, they had a barber come in and give back to school haircuts to children in the community. In October, they will host a Trunk or Treat.
“I’m here to show people in the community about Jesus, not just talk to them about Him,” said Envoy Rosetta. “If I can show them that love and kindness and Christ-like behavior, they are often more willing to hear about Him.”
Beyond the day-to-day, Temple’s dedicated case worker is actively seeking help for those in the community facing addiction, homelessness and other challenges.
The Salvation Army is a large, international organization, though in neighborhoods like Benton Park, the rubber meets the road. And the streets are not always kind. The need in this community remains significant, and the impact of your time, donations and humanity can be lifesaving for neighbors in need.
The young girl – she found belonging and made new friends with other children at Temple, participating regularly in their programs and church services.
The elderly woman – she learned to play the drums through Temple’s music program, and keeps her mind active and spirits bright by regularly attending their senior program.
The young boy – he had the opportunity to attend The Salvation Army’s Camp Mihaska in Bourbon, Missouri, and saw a forest for the first time. He’s also built a relationship with one of our officers, who simply took the time to sit and talk with him – an expression of love he hadn’t experienced outside of The Salvation Army.
The single dad – he was able to feed his children a healthy, warm meal and find fellowship in the church.
Envoy Rosetta finds joy in the small wins, which manifest in her enduring strength. “If I can make a difference in their lives, no matter how small, I’ve done my job.”