IN RECOVERY FOR THE LONG-HAUL

Woman finds recovery—and a new life—with the help of The Salvation Army Las Vegas Adult Rehabilitation Center.

themselves—were essential to her recovery, providing individual and group counseling and spiritual guidance. Although she attended church as a child, Kennerknecht said rediscovering God through The Salvation Army has also been part of her journey. She and Padberg have since become soldiers at the Las Vegas Citadel Corps.

It was there that Captains Ty and Heather Baze also became an integral part of the couple’s support network. “They were instrumental in our becoming soldiers and strengthening our relationship with God, and they also taught us that there are people out there that you can count on,” Kennerknecht said.

Heather Baze has seen the change in Kennerknecht. “Christine was always looking for ways to better herself,” she said. “We’re very proud of her; she has her toolbox now of when and how to contact people when she’s struggling.”

After her graduation from the ARC, Kennerknecht was accepted into the vocational program at The Salvation Army Las Vegas Owens Campus. Offered a choice between pursuing studies in culinary arts or obtaining a commercial driver’s license, she chose the latter. “I’d heard there was great need for truck drivers,” she said, adding that at the time, her Class B license was expired. The Youngs loaned her their car so she could take her driver’s test.

“It was such a wonderful moment when I walked out of the DMV with my provisional license,” she said. For her Class C commercial license, Kennerknecht spent two weeks in the classroom, followed by two weeks driving with an instructor, after which she was offered a job. By this time, Padberg was renting an apartment and obtaining his own Class C license.

Just two weeks after being hired, however, Kennerknecht lost her job when she failed a backing test. “The old me would have just said, ‘Forget it, I’m done with this,’ but the ARC gives you the tools to deal with life’s problems and setbacks, even when you’re doing what you need to do,” she said. “My sponsor also passed away during this time and it was really hard, but I maintained my sobriety.”

A Salvation Army soldier is a local citizen in communities throughout the U.S. who gives allegiance to the doctrines and disciplines of The Salvation Army. There are some 450,000 soldiers in the United States.

The Salvation Army’s “handup” employment services programs provide skills and strengths assessments, job-search counseling and support, and several programs that teach new job skills.

In late 2019, Kennerknecht and Padberg were offered a job with their current company. They earn more money by driving as a team and cover an average of 4,000-5,000 miles a week, driving in 70-hour blocks.

When they’re not working, the couple stays with Kennerknecht’s daughter in Pahrump. “We have a wonderful relationship now and talk two to three times a day,” she said. The couple is saving money to buy their own home—a goal Kennerknecht never believed possible. She notes that she and Padberg still have their respective issues to deal with, but sobriety has provided them with “a foundation upon which to build a new life.”

“This entire process has made me realize I want to give back and help others,” Kennerknecht said, “so I’ve been talking about getting my counseling licenses. Anything is possible.” | C |

The Salvation Army helps more than 150,000 people every year to combat addiction, regain health and stability, build work and social skills, and restore families. See more at caringmagazine.org/fight-addiction.