Caring Magazine | Vol. 26

A PUBLICATION FROM THE SALVATION ARMY FOR PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT MAKING AN IMPACT FOR GOOD.

VO L . 2 6 • 2 0 2 2

W H Y W E E N G AG E C O R P O R AT I O N S F O R T H E C O M M O N G O O D | G I V I N G B AC K

More than 54 million people, including 18 million children, may experience food insecurity this year.

As the only provider of social services in every U.S. zip code, The Salvation Army uniquely understands that poverty rates alone don’t provide a full picture of need. In fact, 6 out of 10 people who are food insecure—who lack financial resources for food—do not technically live in poverty.

Need can affect anyone. That’s why The Salvation Army serves an average of 156,000 meals every single day across the U.S.—and we’ve been at it since 1865.

Hear from those who have found help at caringmagazine.org/fight-hunger

GOOD STARTS WITH YOU BECAUSE GOD CREATED YOU

It’s simple: Good starts with you.

Not because of who you know, the kind of car you drive or your social calendar.

It’s not in your strength, skill or

status—the kind of accomplishments you’d place on your resume.

Good starts with you because God created you.

He called you good.

You bear his image.

You’re loved simply because you’re you.

That kind of love prompts action.

And there’s a you-shaped hole in this Fight for Good.

You’re not just here, you’re here to live out a story only you can.

So, come roll up your sleeves with us.

In days filled with chaos and pain, we serve the hurting and helpless.

You can be the reason somebody believes in goodness.

You can make an impact right where you are.

You can Love Beyond.

CARING 2022

03

Published by The Salvation Army USA Western Territory 30840 Hawthorne Boulevard Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 General Information: 562/436-7000 COMMISSIONER DOUGLAS RILEY Territorial Commander COLONEL KELLY IGLEHEART Chief Secretary LT. COLONEL KYLE SMITH Communications Secretary Find evidence of The Salvation Army’s impact and ways you can do good right where you are at caringmagazine.org.

STAFF

CHRISTIN THIEME, Editor-in-Chief and Literary Secretary HILLARY JACKSON, Managing Editor KAREN GLEASON, Senior Editor LOU BUHL, Editor CORY GAUDAUR, Digital Operations Director EMILY ANDERSON, Social Media Editor KEVIN DOBRUCK, Art Director

V O L U M E

2 6

|

2 0 2 2

ON THE COVER: Captain Patricia Torres arranges food in the Ventura (California) Corps lobby, which served as an overflow food pantry to meet increased demand as a result of the pandemic.

PHOTO BY JOHN DOCTER

Look for the DO GOOD symbol throughout this issue to find ways you can make an impact for good.

04

CARING 2022

VISION

08

LET'S KEEP JESUS AT THE CENTER

INITIATIVE

10

WHY WE ENGAGE CORPORATIONS FOR THE COMMON GOOD

By Commissioner Douglas Riley

By Maria Todaro

FIRST PERSON

14

HOW ONE MAN'S JOURNEY THROUGH RECOVERY LED TO FINDING FREEDOM IN SOBRIETY

By Lou Buhl

IMPACT

18

MEETING NEEDS AT STREET LEVEL Partnership brings resources to unhoused

20

ONE STEP AT A TIME ON THE PATHWAY OF HOPE

27

WHAT IT TAKES TO HELP ON THE WORST OF DAYS

By Christin Thieme

By Lou Buhl

30

GETTING TO THE HEART THROUGH ART

By Hillary Jackson

33

A SHIFTING RESPONSE TO SALVATION ARMY SUMMER CAMP

By Christin Thieme

Customized vans funded by a grant from Dignity Health now serve those experiencing homelessness in four California locations.

See story on page 20.

36

GIVING BACK

46

HOW THE SALVATION ARMY DOES GOOD

Reasons why our partners support us

An ever-growing list of how The Salvation Army impacts communities for good.

PHOTO BY JOHN DOCTER

06 GOOD NEWS | 13 STATS | 44 GOOD MEDIA

CARING 2022

05

GOOD NEWS

"CLOSING THE LOOP" WITH SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

REACHING THE UNHOUSED IN TRANSIT STATIONS

LEARNING NEW SKILLS FOR A FRESH START

The Santa Monica (California) Adult

The Salvation Army San Francisco Harbor

The seven-acre Door of Hope Rady Cam-

Rehabilitation Center (ARC) refined its

Light Center added the Street Homeless

pus in San Diego opened its doors in No-

practices to use more sustainable op-

Outreach and Wellness team (SHOW) to

vember 2020, with 32 apartments avail-

tions in order to limit waste. In doing so,

the ways it tries to reach those experienc-

able for residents. Kitchens for Good, a

the ARC achieved a Santa Monica Green

ing homelessness. The team was devel-

culinary training program, moved on

Business Certification, and built upon its

oped in partnership with the San Fran-

site in 2021, and accepts interested res-

existing sustainable practices, like giv-

cisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) as

idents into its apprenticeship program.

ing new life to donated goods through

a public health response to engage and

Through the Kitchens for Good pro-

its thrift stores and recycling programs.

stabilize the most vulnerable and at-risk

gram, the apprentices gain “knife skills

“We’re one of the leaders in diverting

individuals experiencing homelessness

and life skills” so they can launch a

things from the landfill and repurpos-

who seek shelter in BART stations.

meaningful career in the culinary and

ing and reusing and then recycling,”

The SHOW team works every week-

hospitality industry. The program offers

said Administrator for Program Captain

day in small crews to offer case manage-

lifetime job placement, so if graduates

Tanya Pemberton. “It just gives us the

ment and humanitarian aid for homeless

become unemployed, they can get

exposure here in Santa Monica, to be

populations within or near the down-

placed in another position.

known for not only that we do all this

town areas of San Francisco’s mass trans-

“Going forward, we want to get more

wonderful work in the community, but

portation centers and other regions. The

of our residents into the program,” said

we’re also environmentally friendly and

team stabilizes individuals by address-

Amy Vance, Director at Door of Hope.

eco-conscious.” | C |

ing the numerous problems related to

“We want to coordinate some of the

homelessness. SHOW refers interested

move-ins to be aligned with the appren-

individuals to the Harbor Light Center’s

ticeship program. It’s exciting to see

Recovery Wellness Services for alcohol

people move through the system and

and other drug (AOD) treatment and a

finally have hope.” | C |

transitional bed. The goal is to connect each person with programs, resources and shelters to guide individuals toward housing, healthcare and food. | C |

06

CARING 2022

Drones aid disaster response A partnership with Axon Aid has brought drones and additional volunteers to The Salvation Army’s disaster responses. The drones, piloted by Axon Aid’s drone team, enhance situational awareness.

“Real time situation awareness is critical,” said Bella Giannini, Axon Senior Manager of Customer Loyalty. “With the drones, you can see the exact coordinates of someone in need of rescue. We can do a lot remotely and we can livestream right into the Emergency Operations Center.” | C |

Providing housing for those escaping human trafficking

T

HE SEEDS OF HOPE program in Las

It's exciting to see people move through the system and finally have hope.

Vegas is working to house six survivors of human trafficking for two months each in an apartment they can call their own, aided by $10,000 f rom the Eleanor LeMoyne Gooding Grant.

Prior to 2020, SEEDS of Hope had been offering direct services, but what they found was that while they were offering survivors immediate help, they were unable to provide long-term care.

Providers would put survivors up in single suites or motels, locations which many times had recurring issues with prostitution and drugs, because they

“A lot of the trafficking survivors need

were inexpensive, according to then

assistance in taking care of themselves.

Program Director Erin Kauffman.

You can’t just give them a room and tell

“That had been retraumatizing—we

them they are safe now,” said Jacqui

would lose them or they would go back

Larsson, Director of Territorial Social Jus-

[to their old life],” Kauffman said.

tice Ministries in the Western Territory.

Residential housing is what has been

“Survivors need ongoing holistic care

missing—it’s also what has been report-

before you can get to that point—it’s a

ed as a best practice across the country.

long journey.” | C |

—AMY VANCE, Door of Hope Director San Diego, California

CARING 2022

07

LET'S KEEP JESUS AT THE CENTER

BY DOUGLAS RILEY, COMMISSIONER

IT’S NO SECRET there are a number of things in our

gry and the destitute. You may have even heard of our

world that cause dissension. All you have to do is turn

early motto from that time: Soup, Soap and Salvation.

on the TV, sign in to Facebook or read the tabloid head-

While the world has changed in many, many ways

lines while you’re in line at the grocery store. We live in

since 1865, The Salvation Army’s mission has not. Sure,

an age where anything can be an argument—even if it

we’ve come up with a number of creative ways to car-

was not the initial intent. And sometimes those things

ry it out—and I’m proud of how our officers, soldiers,

can turn even the best of f riends against each other.

employees and volunteers have nimbly pivoted our

But let’s not let it.

As The Salvation Army, we are called to be more like God and less like the world. Let’s start today with a renewed focus on him.

You don’t need me to say the past two years hav-

lose sight of Scripture.

Now, let’s draw closer to God and not allow social issues to drive cracks into our foundation. Instead of

en’t been easy. You know. Whether the pandemic

wasting our short time on this earth fighting each oth-

caused you to lose your livelihood or life as you knew

er, let’s fight against the desire to be critical and con-

it, we’re all still processing the grief that remains. Still,

troversial, which can water down the Gospel.

I have faith. I have hope that we will emerge stron-

This is The Salvation Army, an army mighty in power

ger, more connected. We are The Salvation Army.

and purpose. We can’t allow political pressures to drive

It can only be done with our eyes on him and

us against each other. We can’t lose our faith. We need

our focus on Scripture—it guides us and helps us

08

services, especially since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. We must not lose sight of this. We must not

to keep Jesus at the center. And we need each other.

fully grasp God’s design for us. Returning to Scrip-

The Salvation Army is an international movement

ture reminds us of what truly matters. It keeps us

in 132 countries. While we might display our worship

from distractions and those things that divide us.

differently throughout the world, we are unified in

We have a solid foundation, started on the streets of

our core beliefs, our doctrines. In addition to Scripture,

London in 1865 by William and Catherine Booth. They

they hold us to our commitment to practice what we

walked the streets, preaching to the homeless, the hun-

preach.

CARING 2022

As God’s army, The Salvation Army, we are called to be more like him and less like the world. This year, let’s do so with a renewed focus on him.

The Salvation Army’s 11 articles of faith reflect its determination to remain faithful to its standards and principles. Let’s review these principles and reaffirm before God our dedication to him and his good works.

Let’s bring out the best in each other and renew our focus on our ministry and mission. God will be honored, and we will continue to see even greater things to his honor and glory.

Find The Salvation Army’s doctrines and more at caringmagazine. org/the-salvation-army-101. | C |

Commissioner Douglas Riley is the Western Territorial Commander. | PHOTO BY JOHN DOCTER

THE DOCTRINES OF THE SALVATION ARMY As set out in Schedule 1 of The Salvation Army Act 1980

WE BELIEVE that the Lord Jesus Christ has by His suffering and death made an atonement for the whole world so that whosoev-

WE BELIEVE that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments

er will may be saved.

were given by inspiration of God, and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice.

WE BELIEVE that repentance towards God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit, are necessary

WE BELIEVE that there is only one God, who is infinitely perfect,

to salvation.

the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of all things, and who is the only proper object of religious worship.

WE BELIEVE that we are justified by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that he that believeth hath the witness in

WE BELIEVE that there are three persons in the Godhead – the

himself.

Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory.

WE BELIEVE that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.

WE BELIEVE that in the person of Jesus Christ the Divine and human natures are united, so that He is truly and properly God

WE BELIEVE that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly

and truly and properly man.

sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

WE BELIEVE that our first parents were created in a state of innocency, but by their disobedience they lost their purity and

WE BELIEVE in the immortality of the soul; in the resurrection of

happiness, and that in consequence of their fall all men have be-

the body; in the general judgment at the end of the world; in the

come sinners, totally depraved, and as such are justly exposed

eternal happiness of the righteous; and in the endless punish-

to the wrath of God.

ment of the wicked.

CARING 2022

09

IN In 2020, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave a generous donation that allowed The Salvation Army to provide more than 25,000 food boxes, largely given in massive drive-through distributions.

10

CARING 2022

We are matchmakers of sorts and live at the intersection of profit and purpose—margin and mission.

INITIATVE

Why we engage corporations for the common good And what we’ve seen in the midst of a pandemic.

N

BY MARIA TODARO

CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT, we are match-

there in off hours and shift from congregate food service to

makers of sorts at the intersection of profit

individually packaged meals.

and purpose—margin and mission.

Meanwhile, the need for food increased exponentially and

We work with companies to help them

the traditional ways of providing food assistance had to be

meet business and philanthropic impact ob-

adjusted from self-select pantries and gatherings to drive-

jectives as they invest in the mission and work

through distribution, delivery and takeaway—also at a large

of The Salvation Army. A big part of my role is

scale.

to support the corporate engagement direc-

This all happened on our end while corporations were also

tors across the Western Territory as they do

pivoting to transition their massive workforces to remote

just that.

Like everyone, we watched in March 2020 as the pandemic brought shut downs and

work, making difficult and sweeping decisions related to layoffs due to the economic impact, and in some cases drastically altering their business model.

subsequent economic devastation, which

In those early days, we thought our corporate partners may

increased the need for social services. Along

need to conserve, pull back from making large donations, and

with the entire nonprofit sector, we worried the state of things would mean less available funding as more people

needed help. The uncertainty was just about the only thing that was clear.

re-asses—but they did the opposite.

They called, emailed and texted to say, “How are you? How is The Salvation Army responding? How can we help?”

It turns out the majority of businesses actually gave more—

News reports showed more and more people were be-

nearly 72 percent of responding corporations ramped up their

coming unemployed and struggling to make ends meet,

giving in the first few months of the pandemic, according to a

which meant the people who needed The Salvation Army’s

July 2020 report from Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) America.

help sharply increased. In a single year, The Salvation Army

Not only did 7 in 10 U.S. corporate funders increase their chari-

increased its direct assistance by $100 million resulting in a

table contributions, another 44 percent awarded more grants.

34 percent increase in the number of people served from

We saw the influx ourselves, as The Salvation Army national-

2019–2020, including 225 million meals served. The year 2020

ly received nearly tenfold the support from the corporate sec-

marked the worst year on record for job losses in the U.S. at

tor in 2020 as it did over the previous year. In the USA Western

9.4 million jobs lost.

Territory, our team saw a 23 percent increase in giving from

The organization had to quickly pivot to keep people safely housed in the nearly 600 Salvation Army shelters and transi-

corporate partners. In 2021, we saw the trend continue with an additional 18 percent lift in giving from corporations.

tional housing facilities across the country. Staff worked over-

More importantly, we were able to engage in innovative

time to roll out rigorous cleaning protocols, keep longer hours

and meaningful ways. We had real-time conversations about

of operation in emergency shelters to allow people to remain

needs and resources, took quick action to get items where

CARING 2022

11

they were needed most, connected about the shared experience, talked about our families, saw one another’s homes through Zoom and met dogs and children who were passing by in the background. This was a refreshing shift from only knowing one another in boardrooms and suits.

Everyone shared a deep desire to leverage resources for good and the resulting partnerships were fresh, scalable and impactful.

Right after the pandemic hit, AT&T gave $586,000 to support The Salvation Army’s services for first responders across the U.S., including the provision of free day care and meals for hospital staff. They also called us when their global supply chain had pandemic supplies

It was inspiring to see the corporate and nonprofit sectors come together for the common good even as we dealt with uncertainty and sometimes even tragedy in our own lives.

to share, including masks, sanitizing and paper products, all of which were difficult to find at the time. They donated more than $2 million in supplies throughout 2020 and into 2021.

We put safety guidelines in place and talked with partners about how we could work together to keep customers and employees safe, while still giving them an opportunity to help their neighbors. We went into the first holiday season of the pandemic expecting a nearly 50 percent decrease in income from this critical fundraising campaign and instead saw a 12 percent increase due to the generosity of our partners and their customers.

Mattel’s Play it Forward heard about The Salvation Army’s efforts to Rescue Christmas and donated $2.3 million worth of toys in 2020 and 2021 to make sure that parents who were struggling across the country could put toys under the tree for their children.

And the list goes on and on.

It was inspiring to see the corporate and nonprofit sectors come together for the common good, even as we dealt with uncertainty and sometimes even tragedy in our own lives. Everyone rallied together to ensure people were fed, housed and cared for.

Today, the fallout of this unprecedented time is far f rom over. More than 8 million families have fallen into poverty since May 2020, and 20 million people report their household doesn’t have enough to eat. More than 62.6 million people are having trouble paying their bills and 7 million others are behind on rent.

This wave of pandemic poverty is calling nonprofits, foundations, corporations, gov-

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wanted to

ernment entities and individuals to come

be sure families had the food they needed and gave a gen-

together in new ways to make a bigger and

erous donation that allowed The Salvation Army to provide

more sustainable impact and to make sure

more than 25,000 food boxes, largely given in massive drive-

the solutions are equitable for all.

through distributions. Our grocery partners, including Albert-

We have a lot of work to do, together. | C |

Maria Todaro is Western Territorial Director of Corporate Engagement.

sons Companies, made sure we could access food when the supply chain was interrupted and store shelves were turning up bare. They continued their support in 2021 with an additional significant gift to provide food to families in need.

As that first winter approached, the fate of our iconic annual Red Kettle Campaign outside of brick-and-mortar stores was in question with social distancing guidelines, plus a growing preference for delivery and curbside service.

12

CARING 2022

It’s because of people like you that The Salvation Army can serve more than 31 million Americans in need each year. (That’s almost one person every second, every day.)

Your gift helps The Salvation Army Fight for Good all year in your community. It’s an effort to build well-being for all of us, so together we rise. And that good starts with you.

Give to spread hope with a donation of funds, goods or time today at caringmagazine.org/give.

STATS

7,600 WITH NEARLY

The Salvation Army helps those in need

365

days a year.

CENTERS OF OPERATION and a presence in

EVERY ZIP CODE in the United States,

Nearly

2.7 million people

volunteer for The Salvation Army nationwide.

THE SALVATION ARMY The Salvation Army assists more than

ASSISTED ALMOST

8 million

31 MILLION

with basic social services each year.

nationwide throughout

people

INDIVIDUALS 2020, including providing

225 MILLION The Salvation Army assisted more than

4,000

survivors of human trafficking last year.

MEALS and nearly

1.8 MILLION NIGHTS OF SHELTER.

The Salvation Army provided nearly

40,000

job referrals last year.

In providing its programs and services, The Salvation Army is committed to accommodating all those in need without unlawful discrimination or harrassment based on age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or any other charateristic in accordance with our capacity to help.

CARING 2022

13

How one man's journey through recovery led to finding freedom in sobriety

BY LOU BUHL

He helped me to keep things in perspective. He helped keep my goals in the field of vision. He helped me to understand that it is the process and everything I was going through is natural and normal. —GILBERT ESPINOSA

14

CARING 2022

FIRST PERSON

GILBERT ESPINOSA SAID HE NEVER THOUGHT HE WOULD ONE DAY BE WORKING FOR THE SALVATION ARMY WHEN HE ENTERED ITS ADULT REHABILITATION CENTER PROGRAM IN 2015.

efore coming to The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) in Santa Monica, California, in November 2015, Gilbert Espinosa said he spent his life “in and out of jails, juvenile halls, [and] foster homes.”

As a child, Espinosa said he watched his par-

selor. At the same time, he remained on bail awaiting trial for his case.

After Espinosa passed the California counselor exam, he was sentenced to be incarcerated for an additional nine months, which he called his “victory lap.”

ents struggle with addiction and incarcer-

To be incarcerated again after finding success

ation. In those moments of fear and help-

through The Salvation Army program, Espinosa said

lessness, Espinosa said he prayed for God’s

his perception and experience was “completely dif-

guidance. When Espinosa’s mother found

ferent.”

sobriety and his father returned home

This time, he no longer felt “locked up” because he

from prison, he said he began to believe in

had done the work to set himself free from the “men-

God’s power to answer prayers.

tal prison” that was his addiction, he said.

Later on when excessive substance use

“I knew I was done. I knew it wasn't for me no more.

began to consume Espinosa’s life, he said

I had my freedom, thanks to God, and my drug addic-

he turned to God again—“I got down on my

tion was not showing up at all,” he added.

knees and I prayed for some kind of help.”

That help came in the unconventional form of another incarceration.

While serving his sentence, Espinosa began running meetings for inmates struggling with addiction.

Through these meetings, Espinosa said he tried to

“That was the only way that I probably could

“plant seeds” and redirect inmates to rehab programs.

have gotten sober…is if they took me physically to jail

“I told them how I did it, which was through The Salva-

and kept me away from drugs and alcohol.”

tion Army,” he said.

While in jail, Espinosa said he started to think seriously about

Upon his release, Espinosa began working in ad-

going into a rehab program. When discussing his options, Espi-

diction treatment facilities while staying connected

nosa said his attorney told him, “don't think about it, just go to

to The Salvation Army by sharing his testimony with

The Salvation Army in Santa Monica, they'll take you.”

ARC beneficiaries.

So he did.

“The Salvation Army gave me a new way of looking at things,” Espinosa said. Instead of trying to manage everything on his own, he said he learned how to turn his will over to God. While in the program, Espinosa said he “discovered a passion to help people” that soon became his life’s purpose.

Following his graduation from the six-month program, Espinosa went back to school to become a licensed addiction coun-

“I was working for about a year and then The Salvation Army in Santa Monica called me and they asked me if I was ready to come home.”

Espinosa was offered the job as intake coordinator, taking over for Jesse Wright as he relocated to serve at the ARC in Canoga Park, California in June 2021.

“He was the very first person that ever gave me hope,” Espinosa said of Wright.

CARING 2022

15

When God gives me the opportunity to interact with one of his souls, I don't take it lightly, —JESSE WRIGHT

“He helped me to keep things in perspective.

He helped keep my goals in the field of vision.

He helped me to understand that it is the process and everything I was going through is natural and normal.”

Wright said early on he noticed Espinosa’s

Gilbert Espinosa works as Intake Coordinator at the Santa Monica ARC.

potential for working in recovery. “He had this enthusiasm to help people that were suffering,”

pleted the drug and counseling curriculum

Wright said.

and passed the California state board exam.

Like Espinosa, Wright said he decided he wanted to be an addiction counselor while in

“We've sent a few guys to school over the years.

He's the only one that's ever finished,” he said.

treatment. While there are lots of challenges

“Every now and then the universe gives us a

that come with working in recovery, Wright said

soul that is capable of not only embracing the

being able to participate in someone’s recovery

torch, but also perpetuating and carrying the

transformation is “very rewarding.”

torch,” Wright said. “Gilbert did the work and

“When God gives me the opportunity to interact with one of his souls, I don't take it lightly,” he added.

he was a gift from God…a gift to humanity. And he's been a gift in my life.”

In November 2021, Espinosa celebrated six

“Gilbert and I both lived in the dark for a very

years of sobriety. When asked what sobriety

long time, and we wanted to experience some-

means to him, Espinosa said “sobriety means

thing different,” Wright said.

freedom.”

“Both of us got a nudge from the judge or had

“Freedom from all the things I was suffering

criminal justice issues, which then facilitated a

from,” he added. “It's the freedom from the ad-

shift in our perception. As a result of this shift

diction, freedom from all the character defects

in perception, we both became willing to make

that were in my way and keeping me in prison

the necessary behavioral changes that are re-

in my own principles.” | C |

quired to experience different results on the backside.”

In the 11 years that Wright has worked for The Salvation Army, he said Espinosa was the only person he knew of who ever com-

16

CARING 2022

See how The Salvation Army fights addiction at caringmagazine.org/fight-addiction.

Lou Buhl is an Editor for Caring Magazine.

SHOP

AND SUPPORT TRANSFORMATION

Discover a magical revival of secondhand treasures at

shopthesalvationarmy.com Your purchase helps fund no-fee residential addictions rehabilitation for more than 150,000 people across the U.S. every year.

CLOTHING • JEWELRY • COLLECTIBLES • AND MORE Follow us on Twitter @TsaStore CARING 2022

17

Meeting needs at Street Level PARTNERSHIP BRINGS RESOURCES TO THE UNHOUSED

ANATOMY OF A STREET LEVEL VAN A CASEWORKER’S OFFICE ON WHEELS

Equipped with Wi-Fi, a laptop, printer and phone to allow the Street Level team to help individuals and families with paperwork, online applications and more from the field.

IN THE FIRST YEAR, Street Level teams engaged 2,229

T

people across the four California communities, and distributed health information to 605 people along

HE STREET LEVEL homeless outreach initiative has

with 21 referrals to medical assistance.

helped build relationships with those living on the streets since its 2019 launch in Seattle, connecting people with resources with the long-term goal of achieving housing. In 2020, The Salvation Army secured more

than $1 million in grant funding from Dignity Health to expand the

program to four California communities: Central Valley, San Joaquin County, San Bernardino and Central Coast (including San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties).

In those communities, caseworkers drive the Street Level van to

encampments and areas where those who are unhoused live and congregate. They build rapport through consistent presence in the clearly marked van and by offering items, including food, water, hygiene supplies and socks—all made possible through generous partners. When people feel more comfortable, the team can then ask for contact information and work to connect them with services to start the process of finding long-term housing.

“One of the reasons we believe the Street Level model is so effective is because the first touch engagement is with someone who has had access to the system themselves,” said Sabrina Kiser, Western Territorial Social Services Director. “It’s about the relationship first. It’s about

Clear labeling for awareness of who is assisting to aid in relationship and trust building

offering a cup of coffee or water, and just saying hello.”

“We have been working together on efforts to address rural homelessness along with developing a collective response to COVID-19. The Salvation Army partnership seems boundless given our shared mission, vision, values and focus on serving those who are vulnerable.”

—ASHLEY BRAND Dignity Health System Director of Community and Homeless Health

18

CARING 2022

IMPACT

Adjustable shelf with cargo

with the big Salvation Army logo

netting for

1. San Joaquin County

1

2. Central Valley

on it, they see us a block away

storing items to meet essential needs and build

and they’re already coming out

relationships, like socks, non-

waiting for us. They’re willing to

perishable food items, water,

talk to us. People know that

hygiene kits and packages

we’re there to try to help them.”

of cleaning wipes Room to store a shopping cart

STREET LEVEL OUTREACH SERVICE AREAS IN CALIFORNIA

“Now that we have the new van

IN THE FIRST YEAR, Street

3

2

3. Central Coast 4

4. San Bernardino

Now there are six other locations that have secured support to purchase vehicles and hire staff to further the impact in California, Oregon and Arizona.

—SEAN MEFFORD

Salvation Army Stockton Street Level Community Outreach Specialist

Level teams distributed

STORIES FROM THE STREET SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

658 clothing items and

“Now that we have the new van with the big Sal-

2,556 hygiene kits.

vation Army logo on it, they see us a block away and IN THE FIRST YEAR of implementation in the four California communities, 69 people were placed in stable housing through case management.

they’re already coming out waiting for us,” said Sean Mefford, Salvation Army Stockton Street Level Community Outreach Specialist. “They’re willing to talk to us. People know that we’re there to try to help them.”

Mefford knows the barriers many people approaching the van face because he’s experienced homelessness, too. “I ran the streets when I was younger,” he said, noting he got clean through a Salvation Army program before going on to work with those who are unsheltered.

“I understand where they’re coming from because I’ve been in that lifestyle,” he said.

SAN BERNARDINO When the Street Level van rolls up to a shaded parking area at Sylvan Park in Redlands, California, people recognize it and emerge from vehicles.

Among them, a woman, who exits from the public bathroom asking, “Do you have any hygiene kits?” as she approaches the van.

Space for two staff members, who build relationships with

Workers from the Street Level Van supply her

clients and community members

with the hygiene kit and a package of wet wipes, as others like Erin, who lives in an RV, walk over. For Erin, who’s lived in the RV for three years, the park is home, and she works to keep both herself and the

The Street Level program began in Seattle in 2019 and has since helped more than 400 people gain permanent housing. See how it’s recently expanded to reach more people living in cars and ride along with the outreach team at caringmagazine.org/seattlestreetlevel.

See how The Salvation Army fights homelessness at caringmagazine.org/ fight-homelessness.

area clean because of it.

“Everyone’s got their stories of, I guess you would call it, ‘unfortunate circumstances’ that landed us this way. It just is what it is,” she said, as she received hygiene items. “But for the most part, we’re good people.” | C |

CARING 2022

19

20

CARING 2022

O N E S T E P AT A T I M E O N T H E PAT H WAY O F H O P E With individual aspirations in mind, The Salvation Army is helping families create a plan of action to stop the chronic cycle of poverty.

I

BY CHRISTIN THIEME T’S BEEN an especially hard time to be poor in

half of their lives in poverty are 32 times as likely to be

America.

poor as adults, according to the Brookings Institution.

A Columbia University study found the number of

That means a continued, intergenerational cycle of

Americans living in poverty grew by 8 million in the

life-long poverty for the roughly 1 in 6 kids who live in

second half of 2020—putting the total at 55 million

poverty today—12.5 million children according to the

people. It marked the biggest jump in a single year

latest data.

since the government began tracking poverty 60 years ago.

For a family of four, living “below the poverty line”

But it doesn’t have to be this way. With access to adequate resources, support and guidance, there is a way out.

means the household earns a combined $26,500 or less.

That’s the premise of The Salvation Army’s national

“The impact of poverty is not simply economic,” said

initiative—the Pathway of Hope—which began rough-

Dr. Elaine Waxman, a senior fellow in the Income and

ly 10 years ago to provide individualized services to

Benefits Policy Center at the Urban Institute, a non-

families with children. By addressing immediate ma-

profit research organization, who previously served

terial needs and providing long-term engagement, it

as vice president of research and nutrition at Feeding

aims to stabilize families and stop the chronic cycle.

America. “We know that individuals who live in pover-

The essential ingredient? Hope.

ty or near poverty have much more significant health issues, more likely to develop chronic health condi-

Finding a mindset of possibility

tions, and…children who grow up in poverty are not

In the social services realm, success is often mea-

positioned to do as well in school or to have the op-

sured by self-sufficiency—one’s ability to live indepen-

portunities that would allow them to access mobility

dent of financial or material assistance.

for the future.”

In fact, studies suggest children who spend at least

“Those are typical definitions that exist of self-sufficiency, truly being independent from any help out there, but in a true sense, who is really self-sufficient was the question at hand,” said Dr. Philip Hong, Founding Director of the Center for Research on Self-Suffi-

“We learned it’s a process, not an outcome…a process of moving from barriers to hope.”

—DR. PHILIP HONG

ciency (CROSS) at Loyola University Chicago in addition to his roles as a professor, Associate Dean for Research and Director of the Doctoral Program. With CROSS, he’s long been involved in studies of the Pathway of Hope.

“We learned it’s a process, not an outcome…a process of moving from barriers to hope.”

CARING 2022

21

“And so we moved from a mindset of just processing as efficiently as possible to saying, ‘you know what, let’s walk alongside folks and make a difference for children. Let’s really dig deeper and see what we need to do to actually make an impact.’”

—CAROL SEILER, COMMISSIONER

Hong and his colleagues found four psychological

hormones, endorphins, rather than the cortisol we

variables, or pillars, that affect a person’s self-sufficien-

would release under stress. And you build hope, Phil-

cy: psychological empowerment, having self-worth

lips said, incrementally.

and feeling capable to achieve the goal; futuristic

“You break down the pathways that give a person

self-motivation, seeing the future and wanting to

agency into very small, doable steps,” Phillips said.

move forward to reach the goal; skills and resources;

“You know, they say the journey of a thousand miles

meeting requirements of employers and those needed to get the jobs, including training; and goal orientation, assessing if you’re on the path, standing still or moving forward toward your goal.

That psychological empowerment—hope—is what

begins with a step.”

She said to think of hope as willpower and waypower.

“If you hope that you’ll be fine, but you never take your medication, I don’t know that you’re going to be

Dr. Suzanne Phillips, a licensed psychologist, psycho-

fine,” Phillips said. “It’s not magic, it’s action-oriented.

analyst, and Fellow and Co-chair of Community Out-

The propeller about hope is believing in the possibility.”

reach for the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA), said provides resilience.

The Salvation Army has offered soup, soap and

“That changes the thinking so all of a sudden there’s a

salvation since 1865. Just last year, the organization

mindset of possibility.”

In one large, randomized trial involving 21,000 peo-

While meeting immediate needs is part of the

poverty received aid in the form of a cow, goats or

organization’s longstanding fight against hunger,

bees. Dubbed “the graduation program'' as it aims to

homelessness, disaster, addiction and more, The Sal-

“graduate” people from poverty, the effort found sub-

vation Army is not only interested in filling a stomach

“It was enough magic to stir hope,” Phillips said.

or providing shelter for today—which goes back to a gathering of Salvation Army leaders more than a de-

“When you give people the ingredients to actually

cade ago, when an advisor posed a pointed question.

have a sense of agency, meaning I can do something

“You’ve served a lot of people,” he said, “but what are

that could help my own poverty—and not only eco-

you doing to solve the issues?”

nomic poverty, but poverty of spirit, poverty of self-es-

That question ignited what we now know as Path-

teem, poverty of a despair of not being able to feed

way of Hope. It’s not a program, but an approach to

your children—when you give someone something

finding solutions.

that gives them agency, it expands.”

When researchers reviewed the results, Phillips

CARING 2022

served more than 31 million Americans in need. (That’s almost one person every second, every day.)

ple in six countries, families experiencing extreme

stantial economic return—433 percent in India.

22

Developing an approach to finding solutions

“It allows you to believe someone cares,” she said.

“That was the meat of it—we don’t just serve people over and over again,” said Commissioner Carol

said, they acknowledged “it can’t just be the things

Seiler, who retired in 2017 as a Salvation Army territori-

we gave them. It has to be the power of hope.”

al leader in the central U.S. and recently helped estab-

That power is both psychological and physiological,

lish the Pathway of Hope in the Northwest Division,

as Dr. Jerome Groopman explores in his book, “The

based in Seattle. “What we needed to be doing was

Anatomy of Hope: How People Prevail in the Face of

to see what caused them to be in those positions of

Illness.” When we are hopeful, we release feel-good

asking over and over again.

“And so we moved from a mindset of just processing as efficiently as possible to saying, ‘you know what, let’s walk alongside folks and make a difference for children,” she said. “Let’s really dig deeper and see what we need to do to actually make an impact.’”

Today, the Pathway of Hope operates with a baseline set of practices to meet the needs of families with children. Case managers work with families to develop an action plan that includes personal aspirations and practical actions, and connect them to relevant Salvation Army and other community resources. The focus is on root causes rather than symptoms, especially barriers to education, employment and stability—to interrupt a family’s crisis with a targeted set of services that enables them to break the cycle and achieve sufficiency.

“It’s a holistic approach. It’s what you would do to help a friend or a neighbor, a family member—it’s an approach that permeates what we do,” Seiler said.

“What case management does is take the problems, the barriers, issue by issue and start to untangle them and resolve them.”

Each family is assessed upon entry on the Self-Sufficiency Matrix, which ranks severity of barriers in 15 areas from housing to employment, childcare, mobility, and mental health and is reevaluated every three months.

Services are then tailored to that family’s needs.

“Let’s say your car was impounded. That means you can’t get to work on time because you can’t drop off a child and then go across town to your job. So you lose your job,” Seiler said. “Paying the impound fee becomes an important case management approach.”

THE SALVATION ARMY’S PATHWAY OF HOPE provides individualized services to families with children to address their immediate material needs and provide long-term engagement to stop the chronic cycle of poverty. It seeks to: IDENTIFY CLIENT ASPIRATIONS AND STRENGTHS to ensure clients’ plans are authentic and sustainable.

Simultaneously, families are assessed on the Herth Hope Index, a 12-item instrument designed to measure

FOCUS ON ROOT CAUSES INSTEAD OF

one’s sense of hope and reassessed every three months.

SYMPTOMS, especially barriers to education,

It’s based on the definition of hope as being a “multi-

employment, well-being and stability that emerge

dimensional life force characterized by a confident yet

at the earliest stages of a child’s and family’s

uncertain expectation of achieving a future good.”

development.

And all the way, families are paired with a case manager who focuses on their strengths rather than their deficits—on possibilities rather than problems.

Since its creation, some 12,430 families have been enrolled in the Pathway of Hope across the U.S. Of

CREATE A HOLISTIC PLAN OF ACTION supported by relevant services, both within The Salvation Army and outside it.

them, 70 percent achieved increased stability. Fifty-six percent report increased hope.

“I love that there is an evidence-based approach to it, that there’s data. I love that it requires people to do some thinking and problem-solving,” Seiler said. “And

CARING 2022

23

ONE FAMILY'S JOURNEY ON THE PATHWAY OF HOPE

Father, mother

Father suffered

With poor credit,

Referred to

Both parents were

The family moved

A year later both

and child

traumatic brain

they were unable

Pathway of Hope

soon employed

into a new

parents were still

injury that left

to obtain housing

by Salvation

full-time.

apartment.

employed.

Father worked as

him in a coma for

and moved into

Army emergency

a seasonal tax

several weeks and

their van.

assistance case

They developed a

Referral to partner

Father picked up a

consultant. Mother

in the hospital for

worker.

working budget to

agency helped

second job.

was unemployed.

several months,

manage their new

them receive

income.

furniture and

which hurt the

They set goals

family financially.

as a family in

household items.

Pathway of Hope.

I love that it allows the client to direct that, because my goals as a middle-class white woman may be different than someone who’s come into the community and is learning a new language. My goals may be

“And they’re actually giving back to the community where before they used to take away from it.”

She said many of those she works with in the area are coming out of prison or addiction.

different than somebody who’s 25 and just starting

“We work on whatever it is that’s stopping them

out with a baby or one of the families recently in this

from succeeding in whatever area,” she said. “Ulti-

area, a 22-year-old living in her car who was now about

mately, we come up alongside people and surround

four months pregnant. We took her on as a Pathway of

them on the front-end with a healthier community so

Hope family here because the future of the child was a

that they can get better.”

part of the goals of this mother.”

And it’s impacting The Salvation Army, too.

“We’re seeing a whole new engagement in our frontline staff. Our staff needed Pathway of Hope.

They needed to see success for themselves as well,”

And she keeps them busy, engaging participants in 30 hours of activities per week, from outpatient treatment, if applicable, to meeting with a mentor, joining a church community and volunteering.

“God took me out of a really dark place…there’s a line

Seiler said. “When you’re just pushing out food boxes

in a song that ‘all I had to offer him was brokenness and

or writing checks, there’s not a lot of success or satis-

strife, but he made something beautiful of my life’ and

faction. People want to help people succeed.”

that is my life,” she said. “I got the help I needed through Christ and so I want those I’m helping to see that God is

Hoping for a better life In a rural town of less than 10,000 people just 20

Crawford has worked with Ronnie for the past five

Native American reservations, Trina Crawford found

months, taking steps toward finding an apartment

early on in her work that the most effective approach

and a job.

is the preventative one. As Director of The Salvation

“I was unemployed and me and my daughter had

Army Service Center in Havre, Montana, Crawford ad-

nowhere to go; we were living with family, couch to

vocates for those in need and offers immediate relief

couch, whatever,” he said. “I was in treatment court

where she can.

because I used to drink all the time. My counselor got

And some of these individuals she engages in the “We are helping about four people a year in a way that is totally, radically changing their lives,” she said.

CARING 2022

that we are more than our decisions.”

miles from the Canadian border and flanked by two

Pathway of Hope.

24

good, that he loves us, that we are important to him and

on the phone and got a hold of Trina.”

In Pathway of Hope, there’s always a task to be done and “I just don’t give up,” Ronnie said.

“Hope, for me, is just to do better. My life is good but

“Hope, for me, is just to do better. My life is good but with this hope, there’s even better. with this hope, there’s even better,” he said. “I want to

I want to find a better paying job

find a better paying job and be a better parent to my

and be a better parent to my

daughter. I’m raising us.”

daughter. I’m raising us.”

Through his lens in researching self-sufficiency, Hong said the connection between Crawford and

—RONNIE

Ronnie is notable.

“We were able to learn that the relational component is really critical,” he said. “What we found was this

family. It’s hope for the community…It’s now in me and

love and relational care in Pathway of Hope was help-

now I’m showcasing it.”

ing The Salvation Army live out its mission in an era when a lot of social services is being counted by these outcomes.”

Hope is connected to one’s spiritual wellbeing, he said.

“It represents the existential meaning of why I would

Testifying to healing and hope The Pathway of Hope is based in Scripture—from what God requires of us, as found in Micah 6:8, to the motivation for serving suffering humanity, as found in 1 Corinthians 16:14: “Do everything in love.” That theo-

go toward my goal,” Hong said, offering an example: “I

logical foundation is about joining God at the place of

want to show my children that mommy can stand back

need and allowing him to work through us to bring his

up and be in charge and support our family.”

healing and hope.

And that’s exactly the testimony Lt. Katherine Reid

And healing, he said, happens along the way.

“It’s not just whether you have hope or not, but it’s

tells.

Reid first met The Salvation Army in eighth grade,

the hope that gets cultivated through the journey,”

when she and her mother became residents at a

Hong said. “It might be up and down along the way,

shelter.

but you’re never out of hope. You’re never lost or com-

“My mom, who was struggling with drug addic-

pletely empty of hope because you’re alive. You stayed

tion at that time, ended up losing our house. We got

strong without giving up.”

evicted and we had no place to go,” Reid said. “I can

The small steps toward one’s big goals are mea-

remember from the first time we went there it just

sured in the Pathway of Hope, and Hong said that

seeming different. Everyone was very kind and loving,

feedback loop helps increase a person’s hope.

and everyone had chores. It seemed like you were join-

“It’s also contagious to people around me that my hope is no longer my hope,” he said. “It’s hope for the

ing in a family, which was not like any other experience I ever had.”

CARING 2022

25

“Sometimes when you find yourself in a rough place or when you're facing so many obstacles, you get discouraged.

But you are not alone.”

—KATHERINE REID, LT.

get discouraged. But you are not alone,” she said. “Not only do you have the support of the people in The Salvation Army behind you, and those you don't see like the donors and different members of the community who may be just making phone calls for you to get the assistance you need, but most importantly, you

Years later, as a mother herself, Reid again met The

have God always in your corner.”

Salvation Army and became a participant in the Pathway of Hope.

“It was life-altering. I'd never really experienced that

Checking in and taking action One step at a time on the Pathway of Hope, par-

kind of care and support before,” Reid said, noting

ticipants report increasing hope on the Herth Hope

her case manager would offer to come to her when

Index, which parallels an increase on the Self Suffi-

she had transportation issues and the corps officers

ciency Matrix.

would always ask to pray with her. “And I'm just sit-

“We call it hope action. It’s not action and hope sep-

ting here like, ‘Where did these people come from?’...I

arate, but the action that really comes from or stems

think that was a huge part of my motivation of want-

from the hope that you have,” Hong said. “It’s rooted

ing to take part in being present there and volunteer-

in the hope that’s been increasing over time in Path-

ing, is seeing the day-to-day joy with everyone in the

way of Hope.”

office…At the time, I didn't understand it, but now I know it was the presence of God.”

And it all comes back to hope.

“It’s constantly going back to your hope as your

She went on to volunteer with The Salvation Army

anchor to keep moving forward with these actions,

and attend worship services. Then on her first day as

which allows you to check back in with hope to keep

a ministry intern, she pulled up to the corps in Inde-

moving forward with your actions, adjusting your ac-

pendence, Missouri, to meet with the shelter director.

tions even, to reach the goal,” Hong said. “Empathy is

“I remember talking with her and I was like, ‘If you

where everything begins for any type of social innova-

don't mind me asking, can you tell me what that build-

tion. And when you go back to hope as your anchor,

ing is next door, because it looks familiar,’” Reid said.

that is empathy with yourself.”

“She was like, ‘Well, that's our shelter,’ and she was giving me some history. But as soon as she said that, I knew.”

It was the shelter she and her mom had stayed in years ago.

While there may not be a formula for escaping poverty, Pathway of Hope is a tool for engaging families in daring to harness the hope to do so.

“I was just overcome with emotion because I knew

“Having hope means when you look

in that moment God brought me all the way back to

at your situation, and all you see are

where I had first started that dream,” Reid said. “It was

things that you can't do, you rely on

just amazing to know that he had a plan for me from

the things that God can do in and

that point on, and how faithful he was in allowing me

through you,” Reid said. “Having hope

to find my way to answer that calling into ministry in

is believing in the things that you

every obstacle I had faced.”

can't see.” | C |

Christin Thieme is Editor in Chief of Caring Magazine and host of the Do Gooders Podcast.

This year, Reid was commissioned as a Salvation Army officer—a pastor—and now serves in full-time ministry as the Assistant Corps Officer in Bloomington, Illinois, helping others find hope, too.

“Sometimes when you find yourself in a rough place or when you're facing so many obstacles, you

26

CARING 2022

What is the state of poverty in America and how is The Salvation Army responding? Listen to the Do Gooders Podcast, episodes 88-94, for a season exploring the Pathway of Hope. Subscribe to the show in your podcast player or see more at caringmagazine.org/dogooderspodcast.

VOLUNTEERS STRENGTHEN THE SALVATION ARMY’S EMERGENCY/DISASTER SERVICES

What it takes to help on the worst of days

BY LOU BUHL IRES START, storms surge and earthquakes rumble—all without warning and all impacting millions of lives each year.

And while every disaster is unique and creates its own special needs, the heart of The Salvation Army’s Emergency/Disaster Services (EDS) is to meet the immediate needs of a survivor and the emergency responders there to help.

Those coordinating the effort—from food services to emergency communication, cleanup, social services and donations management—depend on dedicated personnel to respond to the need.

“I believe we can be called to many things in life. I was definitely called to emergency management,” said Patrick McGinn, EDS Director for The Salvation Army’s Del Oro and Golden State divisions, covering much of Northern and Central California. “God's been just kind of guiding me ever since.”

McGinn, who previously worked for Americorps and FEMA aiding in disaster relief efforts, said he sees the EDS team as a ministry, not only for survivors but also

CARING 2022

27

even describing her work as part of the “grieving process” for those she encounters.

“I can't tell you how many times we all teared up—grown men teared up…emotional with Gary Koolhof (second from right) with Auburn Canteen crew supporting Salvation Army National Doughnut Day in Auburn, California. | PHOTO COURTESY AMY MEFFORD

extending to professional partnerships, which

the loss of pets, emotional with their whole life,

range from local organizations to federal au-

everything they had and losing it,” Lewis said.

thorities, and the volunteers who join in.

By starting meetings with prayer, for exam-

Early recovery efforts eventually transition

easier to handle. And yet, as he said, “You don't

to long-term recovery—a stage that can last

have to be of any religion, or have any sort of

from several months to as long as a commu-

beliefs to respond with The Salvation Army.

nity needs. By working with local, state and

You just have to want to help other people and

federal government, The Salvation Army helps

It takes a certain kind of person, he said, to engage people on the worst day of their lives.

form a long-term disaster recovery plan that reaches beyond basic needs to help survivors rebuild their lives. Lewis said she has helped

Teri Lewis is one of those people.

secure funding to install power-poles after

After seeing the devastation caused by

electrical damage caused widespread outages,

the 2018 Carr Fire in Shasta County, California,

get assistance fixing septic systems and clean

Lewis joined The Salvation Army EDS team as

water access, and tackle property damage.

a coordinator. She had just retired from a career in real estate and “wasn't quite sure” what she would do—until she saw the job posting.

Along the way, EDS teams depend on volunteers.

Those interested in volunteering take the

Lewis began assisting those affected by the

first step by creating an online profile through

fire with early recovery efforts, an uncertain

The Salvation Army’s volunteer portal, volun-

stage of disaster response when many peo-

teer.usawest.org. Next, volunteers are connect-

ple don't know whether or not they lost their

ed with their local Salvation Army officers.

home yet, she said. In her role, she meets with

Before deployment on EDS sites, volunteers

disaster evacuees to discuss their situations

complete an intro to EDS training course, fol-

and how The Salvation Army can help.

lowed by a canteen, or mobile feeding unit, op-

“So many of them, they've never gone

erations course. Immediately following train-

through a disaster in their life,” Lewis said, “But

ing, volunteers go out and apply what they’ve

it's good to know that we're able to be there to

learned on disaster sites.

help them.”

It’s more than physical help, she noted,

CARING 2022

that you are there and that you care.”

ple, McGinn said the stress of his job becomes

to be flexible.”

28

“Everybody's so thankful and so appreciative

Canteen volunteers help to provide immediate food and hydration to the people who need

You don't have to be of any religion, or have any sort of beliefs to respond with The Salvation Army. You just have to want to help other people and to be flexible.

—PATRICK McGINN

it most. Volunteers help prepare, cook and

connections can make the world of a differ-

serve food to those most affected by a disaster

ence,” he said.

and the emergency responders there to help.

The Salvation Army aims to be prepared to

“One officer stepped ahead and thanked

arrive at any disaster site and stay until they

us. And I go, ‘that's not necessary...I'm here to

are no longer needed. From March 2020 to

serve, not to be recognized,’” said Gary Koolhof,

September 2021, Salvation Army employees,

EDS volunteer and canteen lead, recounting

officers and volunteers in the Western Territory

an experience from the Paradise fires. “We

served a combined nearly 1.2 million EDS volun-

leave lasting memories for what we do.”

teer hours.

Koolhof began volunteering with his local

In that 18-month period, The Salvation Army

Salvation Army EDS team five years ago when

EDS teams delivered some 2.6 million hot and

he entered retirement.

cold meals, more than 650,000 food boxes,

“I had to fill in my time,” he said. “So I went

plus millions of beverages and snacks. Overall,

out and really enjoyed serving and helping

more than 10 million items were distributed,

other people in times of need.”

worth more than $81 million.

According to a February 2021 survey by

Across the West, EDS teams also helped

the National Institute for Retirement Securi-

provide rental and mortgage assistance as

ty, nearly one-third of American workers said

well as emergency lodging for evacuees.

the COVID-19 pandemic prompted them to

Koolhof said at first it was the excitement of

rethink retirement, with some opting to retire

disaster work that kept him coming back. “No

earlier. With more time on hand, the newly re-

two rollouts are the same,” he said. Volunteers

tired are looking for opportunities to do good

may not know where they’re going or what

and volunteering is a popular option.

might be there when they arrive.

As a canteen lead, Koolhof said he’s con-

Every step of the way, The Salvation Army of-

stantly trying to keep his team alert while

fers emotional and spiritual care upon request

thinking of alternatives in case any problems occur on site.

“I can't afford to burn food because now I have

See how The Salvation Army fights disaster at caringmagazine.org/ fight-disaster.

to survivors and emergency responders. It’s this “ministry of presence” The Salvation Army considers one of its highest honors.

to start over, right? And all these people are

“We just listen to them, just

counting on it,” he said, noting operations run

to hear their stories. And some-

smoothly when a team works together and ev-

times you just need to open up,

eryone feels they are valued and can contribute.

and we'll pray for them,” Kool-

Koolhof also helps recruit new EDS volun-

hof said. “And to me, it's a tre-

teers—which is critical as EDS teams are al-

mendous blessing to be able

most entirely made up of volunteers. “Those

to be part of that.” | C |

Lou Buhl is an Editor for Caring Magazine.

CARING 2022

29

The workshops can help you to identify your emotions around a particular personal experience.

This can be the first step to healing.

—MARTHA ACKERMAN

Getting to the heart through art Restorative art brings healing

L

BY HILLARY JACKSON ike anyone, Heather Brown* had areas

Prison Fellowship’s in-prison programming to ap-

of her life that needed attention. But in-

ply to the ARC program. For many in incarceration,

stead of chipping away at the emotions

addiction is the first cause of their criminal history,

and circumstances at hand, her alco-

and re-entering society through the ARC contin-

holism would often win out.

Create: New Beginnings is another tool to aid

ings that are there,” she said. “Sometimes not even

in the healing process. While sessions have been

knowing what I feel.”

held in prisons across the U.S., the programming

Brown is working to identify her emotions and

is flexible and lends itself to helping women in

heal at The Salvation Army’s Denver Adult Reha-

The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Centers

bilitation Center (ARC) in Arvada, Colorado, in part

across the West.

through a restorative art program called Create:

“Art can help those who are struggling,” said

New Beginnings, which exists to empower women

Steph Segel, Create: New Beginnings Manager.

to “acknowledge important emotions and develop

“Opportunities to reflect and to create something

self-awareness through the lens of artistic expres-

beautiful allow them to bring those things to light.”

sion.”

30

CARING 2022

ues the work they began in prison.

“As an alcoholic, I have covered up a lot of feel-

The idea for the restorative art program came

The program is available to the ARC through

after Segel went to Rikers Island in New York to

a partnership with Prison Fellowship, a nonprofit

tell relatable stories of those who were incarcer-

that serves those impacted by incarceration. The

ated. While she was there, she led some art ex-

partnership began in California in 2020 by stream-

ercises and activities with the men. When they

lining the way for those who have been enrolled in

finished, a corrections professional comment-

ed on the change in mood—the men were calm.

It was clear there was potential for more, Segel said, and Prison Fellowship CEO James Ackerman saw the unique opportunity for developing a women’s program, since a majority of prison programming is geared toward men, leaving gaps.

“Women have different struggles and different realities than the men, especially in terms of abuse,” Segel said. “A lot of women have been abused. A lot of women have kids.”

The National Resource Center on Justice Involved Women (NRCJIW) found women who have been incarcerated are more likely to have experienced sexual abuse, and a 2017 special report from the U.S. Department of Justice found 69 percent of female inmates in state prison met the DSM-IV criteria for drug dependence or abuse. This “may be motivated by a desire to cope or mask unpleasant emotions stemming from traumatic experiences and ensuing mental health problems,” according to NRCJIW. As a result, Segel and fellow Create: New Beginnings Manager Martha Ackerman developed the program as a way to help women unpack their hurts and struggles. As artists, they know the power of creative expression.

Each week, sessions cover topics like forgiveness, reconciliation, empathy, shame, self doubt and courage, using discussion, Scripture, prayer and art to aid in the healing process.

“The topics, such as shame and self doubt, allow you to explore gently through art,” said Ackerman.

“The workshops can help you to identify your emotions around a particular personal experience. This can be the first step to healing. If you can discuss these emotions either verbally or through an art form, it can help continue the healing process.”

The emotional processing the art provides has led the Denver ARC to use it in place of its usual process groups. ​​“It’s been really good. I think the ladies have enjoyed it,” said Major Rachel Gallop, Denver ARC Administrator for Program. “One lady said that she’s always had a hard time expressing her emotions, but

CARING 2022

31

It was very freeing and it reminds me every day what forgiveness can do for my heart.

—HEATHER BROWN

much hurt between my husband and I right now.

There’s not going to be reconciliation for us, but there’s going to be a way to raise our children without anger and hatred.”

“It makes the ladies realize that everyone has probshe has always liked art, so it’s been a very good thing

lems; they’re not special in having problems. Even the

for her…One lady doesn’t really talk a lot, but through her

leaders have problems,” Gallop said.

facial expressions you can see something happening in her.”

Another aspect of the programming is the weekly flowers that harken back to Victorian times, when flowers

Sessions start off with a group discussion question,

carried special meanings. For the forgiveness message,

like: Do you find it difficult to forgive others? After dis-

the week’s flowers included alstroemeria, representing

cussing how difficult it can be to forgive, women then

devotion between family members or friends; purple hy-

learned more about forgiveness—how it can protect

acinth, representing forgiveness and strength; and pink

their hearts and help them to use their thoughts in more

carnations which meant “I will never forget you.”

productive and healthy ways. They talked about forgiving those who hurt them and seeking forgiveness from

The blooms stay around the ARC following the session to bring beauty and reinforce the week’s lesson.

those who they may have hurt before writing a letter to

For Janielle Drake*, simply talking about her feelings

someone who they would either like to forgive or receive

with another individual or putting the pen to paper nev-

forgiveness from.

er fully conveyed what she felt.

The women were then instructed to rip up their let-

“It always seemed like I could never fully explain in de-

ters and glue them to a separate sheet of paper before

tail exactly how or what I wanted to say or do,” she said. “It

painting over it, using colors that matched their feelings.

seemed like every group came at just the right moment

A color chart aided in this process, explaining that colors

for me and has helped me express exactly what I needed

like red connote energy, anger or love whereas blue can

to at the time. It has helped me realize where I have come

mean calm, peaceful or sadness.

from, where I am at right now and where

“I have to practice forgiveness with certain broken-

I want to and will be in the future.”

ness every day,” Brown said, noting the impact of writing

She’s looking forward to reestablish-

the letter, naming and pairing the emotions with a color

ing and mending some of her broken

and tearing it up. “It was very freeing and it reminds me

relationships.

every day what forgiveness can do for my heart.”

The Create: New Beginnings team trains volunteer

“I want to gear my future towards helping others that may suffer from the

leaders to run the weekly sessions at the ARC. The pro-

same disease.” | C |

gramming encourages vulnerability from all parties—

*Name changed for privacy

leaders included. One of the volunteer leaders at the Denver ARC is going through a divorce, and the lessons on topics like forgiveness have helped her, too.

Gallop said the leader told the group, “There has to be a way that I can forgive my husband …there’s too

32

CARING 2022

See how The Salvation Army fights addiction at caringmagazine.org/fight-addiction.

Hillary Jackson is Managing Editor at Caring Magazine.

A SHIFTING RESPONSE TO SALVATION ARMY SUMMER CAMP

BY CHRISTIN THIEME PHOTOS BY JOHN DOCTER

M

Camper Ian shows off his t-shirt before adding tie-dye during the 2021 traveling camp experience in Bellflower, California.

ARTY BROWN received just the email he needed

hear—and the ones they worry about missing entirely in the

in early 2021.

midst of a global pandemic.

As the California South Divisional Camp Direc-

tor, he said 2020 was a tough year.

“It was the first summer since 1939 that we didn’t have

campers at camp—and to have camp sit empty? It was just so sad,” he said about The Salvation Army’s camp locations in Calabasas and Big Bear, California.

Western Territorial statistics recorded roughly 3,710 firsttime youth seekers—those who committed their life to Christ—in 2021, up from the 2,020 individuals in 2020 but still down 56 percent from 2019.

“We attribute that huge decrease in 2020 to camps being closed,” said Territorial Commander Commissioner Douglas

The email sender had attended Camp Gilmore in the

Riley, who spent 12 summers on staff at camp. “Everybody

late 1970s, and after watching a show that reminded her of

remembers their time at camp. How many are missing out

camp, she’d searched to see whether or not it still existed.

on those moments that last a lifetime? On the opportunity

The Salvation Army had visited her Los Angeles school and

to share God’s love, but also to receive it?”

talked about camp when she was 10; she begged her aunt to let her go and attended camp the next three summers.

“I met the Lord there. I learned to swim there…I felt wel-

And while it may not have looked like a traditional Salvation Army summer in many places, camp returned across the West in 2021.

comed and at home,” she wrote. “I gained a lot of confi-

“It’s painful to go a second summer of nontraditional

dence and stopped fearing being around folks who didn’t

camp, but circumstances have opened our eyes to a new

look like me at Camp Gilmore.”

way of presenting camps in creative ways that we haven’t

She’s now a school principal and wanted to sponsor a child at camp, just as she had been some 40 years ago.

These are the stories Salvation Army camp leaders live to

done before and that could last long beyond this summer,” said Jim Sparks, Territorial Director for Youth Ministries. “We have a model that’s worked, but now this hardship is allow-

CARING 2022

33

Camp staffer Sophia Romero (center) leads the sports elective. Here, she shows camper Luis (right) a few volleyball tips.

Brown and Sparks—that developed options and guidelines to mitigate COVID-19 risks while still providing camp ministry.

The West’s 12 camps had options this summer: residential camp, contingent on state and local guidance; day camp; family camp; virtual camp; and traveling camp— taking the heart and essence of camp to communities.

“For many kids, camp is the first time away from their parents; they learn they can handle stuff. They learn to have fun and, for many kids coming from tough situations, to just be a kid,” Brown said. “They learn new things—to make a lanyard or design a stage. They learn to eat well. And most importantly, they learn that God loves them and they experience love from so many people who are here specifically to care for them.”

This year, for the first time, Brown’s camp staff took as much as they could about the camp experience to 13

Campers Ariel, Matthew and Angel (left to right) concentrate on their tie-dye camp T-shirts during the afternoon group activity.

communities across Southern California, from San Luis

ing camps to see the properties in a different way, to see

a one-week day camp at these Salvation Army corps—

the program in a different way and work through inno-

bringing camp fun and food with them.

Obispo to San Diego. A team of six camp staffers ran

vative ideas for the summer that will change our camps for the better.”

So, what did summer camp look like in 2021—and how might it shape the summers to come?

That was the question posed to a taskforce of 13 representatives from across the territory—including

34

CARING 2022

“The goal is to make it feel like camp. To make s’mores, because that’s what you do at camp. To create a swimming day with water slides. To bring in nature with an animal farm or rock walls in place of the high ropes course,” Brown said. “We’re doing all we can to bring the essence of camp with us.”

Camp facilities also welcomed families for a weekend experience with food, activities from archery to swimming, and children’s programming provided by camp staff.

“As so many corps haven’t been able to meet in person over this past year, why can’t camp be a catalyst for reconnection?” Brown said of the idea behind offering family camp. “We’ve had to change our thinking and see our options on how to maximize ministry with the opportunities we do have.”

The Intermountain Division is one of three divisions in the West—joining Alaska and Hawaii and Pacific Islands—that hosted scaled-back residential camps.

“We’re operating at about a third of our capacity with 60 kids per session, limiting cabin sizes to six to eight

While some campers choose to participate in arts and crafts or sports during their elective time, these aspiring musicians hold their drumsticks at the ready for their musical drumming instruction.

campers per cabin for eight weeks of camp,” said Mitchell McWilliams, Assistant Camp Director at High Peak

thing shut down so we held some virtual campfire

Camp and Conference Center in Estes Park, Colorado.

meetings, but last year kids signed up for electives that

All campers were from the Denver metro area, within

we taught—cooking, computer coding, drums, arts and

a roughly four-hour drive from camp. Regular wellness

crafts—and instead of watching someone talk about it

checks, hand sanitizing stations and even changing to a

on Zoom, we sent them the materials and connected

new mask three times a day were part of the new camp

live over four weeks to engage in that activity together.”

schedule.

While Brown said a “normal” summer will see roughly

“The kids were grateful to be at camp, and we were able

3,000 campers come through the gates of The Salvation

to do a few new things like take the younger campers

Army camps in Southern California, the 2021 summer

into the Rocky Mountain National Park for hikes,” McWil-

met roughly 1,000 kids with the revised camp offerings.

liams said. “We had drastically fewer campers than nor-

“We couldn’t do what we would normally want to do

mal, at only about 30 per camp on average. While that

and what is normally considered successful for Salva-

changed the camp vibe, it also allowed campers to get

tion Army camping, however, we could

to know each other better.”

at least provide some type of ministry

A camping program in Grand Junction allowed for white

opportunity and kind of have that camp

water rafting through Dinosaur National Monument and

feel,” he said. “It feels good to actually do

time exploring Goblin’s Valley State Park. Staff then hit the

ministry and programs again.

road to visit seven corps in Montana, Wyoming and Col-

“My experiences as a camper still im-

orado for one-day camp sessions. They set up inflatables,

pact me today,” Brown said. “I know camp

archery—even cotton candy—and McWilliams said “the

impacts lives; I know that’s true. But you

corps loved it so much they are asking for this to become a

don’t always get to see that impact until

staple of camp programming.”

someone writes you a letter.” | C |

Christin Thieme is Editor in Chief of Caring Magazine and host of the Do Gooders Podcast.

While closed to summer camp in 2020, the West’s camps found creative uses for the facilities, hosting beneficiaries of Adult Rehabilitation Centers for service and recreation, for example. And some offered virtual camp programming featuring past camp staff.

Last summer, Brown said they again offered a virtual camp option, but one that was interactive.

“We wanted to do something last year when every-

Listen in to the Do Gooders Podcast as Mechale Mency shares what she remembers of her time at camp some 40 years ago and how that experience shapes the experience she aims to create today as a school principal. She's out to make sure kids feel seen and valued, and learn to value others—just as she did at camp. Find it at caringmagazine.org/ dogooderspodcast.

CARING 2022

35

GIVING BACK reasons why our partners support us

YES, THE SALVATION ARMY DOES A LOT. AND NOTABLY, WE DON’T DO IT ALONE. Thanks to generous donors and a long list of corporate partners, The Salvation Army is dedicated to Doing the Most Good.

Since 1865, we have been working to provide sustainable solutions for the most vulnerable. We stay not just until the job is done, but long afterward to ensure that the healing continues.

With 82 cents of every dollar dedicated to directly supporting the needs of the community in which it was given, The Salvation Army is committed to stewarding every donation with integrity.

In fact, it’s because of people like you that The Salvation Army can serve more than 31 million Americans in need each year.

(That’s almost one person every second, every day.)

Your gift helps The Salvation Army Fight for Good all year in your community. Meet a few of those who’ve partnered with us to give the world a lasting display of the love behind our beliefs.

36

CARING 2022

meet some of our partners RALPH OSHIRO SCH0LARSHIP AND ENDOWMENT DONOR Ralph Oshiro credits The Salvation Army Camp Homelani, on the North Shore of Oahu, with transforming his life. As a teen, Oshiro didn’t take school or life seriously. He said he spent many days “just cruising around, playing around,” instead of attending classes. Eventually, he dropped out.

His band teacher must have sensed something in Oshiro, because he gave him a scholarship to attend Camp Homelani.

“It was a special place,” Oshiro said. “It gave me a new outlook on life. For me it was totally life-changing, from an aimless youth to one who had an important goal to fulfill.”

The experience inspired him to get his GED. He went to college and became a music instructor.

He first gave $10 to The Salvation Army in 1995 and has made 32 gifts

For me it was totally life-changing, from an aimless youth to one who had an important goal to fulfill.

—RALPH OSHIRO

in the years since.

Oshiro said the person who influenced him the most at band camp was the late Harry Stillwell, well known in The Salvation Army for his trumpet expertise and his Christian witness. Oshiro asked Stillwell if he could sponsor camp scholarships under Stillwell’s name.

Today, Oshiro’s gifts allow youth—those whose families might not otherwise be able to afford it—to attend camp each year.

He expressed gratitude for the life he’s led since that first camp experience.

“It is all because of God’s amazing grace, and it started here at Camp Homelani,” he said. “There’s something for every camper that comes— something that will ignite a spark in them. They’ll change their lives.”

CARING 2022

37

I've never met a group of such selfless people who are working to help others.—DIANE MULLIN

DIANE AND JOHN MULLIN CAPITAL CAMPAIGN NAMING AND BEQUEST DONORS When Diane and John Mullin first began bellringing for The Salvation Army in 1993, they couldn’t have imagined where they’d end up today. With their recent, sizable gift to the Army’s Hope Center project in Pasadena, California, they’ve become more than just generous philanthropists; their names will now forever be associated with the possibility of hope and opportunity for generations to come.

With a population of just over 141,000, Pasadena

in October 2021, intending it to be a “‘one-stop-shop’

has one of the highest income inequality values in the

center of hope” for the community. The centerpiece of

Greater Los Angeles Area with an estimated 22,000 res-

the new four-story facility will be the converted client

idents living in poverty.

choice pantry, which will allow clients to select their

One evening several months ago, they were confronted with the crisis head-on. After a visit to Keck Hospital,

with dietary restrictions.

they walked down nearby Huntington Drive and noticed

Mullin, a chef and baker by trade, knows firsthand how

an even larger than usual tent encampment with a total

important a good meal can be during challenging times.

of 47 tents altogether—and many of them with toys inside.

“I come from a Latin background,” she said. “My fam-

“We decided that very night to put everything into

ily was from Spain, my grandmother was from Mexico

one charity where it could do the most good,” Diane

City, and my grandfather was from Germany, so I grew

Mullin said. “Right now, we do have an extreme home-

up in a big family where my grandmother and my par-

less problem in the City of Los Angeles, in Pasadena, ev-

ents were always making something and getting it to

erywhere. And with this COVID situation, it’s even larg-

people who needed it.”

er. It’s really tough.”

When she started her bustling bakery business from

The 52,000 square-foot center—the Diane and John

home as she coped with debilitating rheumatoid ar-

Mullin Hope Center—will support many of those low-in-

thritis symptoms years ago, she thought of learning to

come families and veterans in the Greater Pasadena

cook and bake as a survival skill—and aimed to share it

community who have found themselves struggling due

with others by hiring and mentoring those who needed

to the pandemic. It will be a destination for Pasadena

a fresh start. While John grew his lumber and develop-

children, families, seniors and veterans to receive the

ment business, she taught chef training classes at night

compassionate care they need and deserve—including

at LA Trade Technical College. Eventually, they opened

65 affordable permanent supportive housing units on

a bakery plant in Glendale and served major customers,

the three floors above the social services center. Res-

such as Trader Joe’s.

idents will be asked to contribute 30 percent of their

Likewise, when the Hope Center opens in 2022,

income toward rent and will be provided with ongoing

Mullin hopes to be able to be on-site to help facilitate

supportive services throughout their tenancy.

some of the cooking classes for the new residents.

The Salvation Army broke ground on the project

38

own food and will help accommodate seniors and those

CARING 2022

Mullin said she’s hopeful that others in Los Angeles

I think everyone knows also that The Salvation Army does not turn anyone away.—WALLY TSUHA

and elsewhere might be inspired by The Salvation Ar-

By adding an option to donate cryptocurrency, The Sal-

my’s holistic approach to solving the homelessness

vation Army joins a small section of nonprofits that accept

crisis—and might especially be moved to help support

this form of donation. Only about 2 percent of charities

children in need. The Mullins want others to receive the

in North America, Europe and Australia accept this form

same blessing they have from supporting The Salvation

of donation, according to Nonprofit Tech for Good’s 2019

Army and often encourage their neighbors and friends

Global NGO Technology Report.

to give and volunteer at their local The Salvation Army.

“I’ve never met a group of such selfless people who are working to help others,” she said. “The Army’s goal

The Salvation Army in the Western U.S. partnered with Engiven, a service that works with nonprofits to securely accept and liquidate cryptocurrency donations.

is to take people in and rehabilitate them so they can

By donating cryptocurrency directly to The Salvation

have a life and be able to take care of themselves. And

Army, donors, when advised by a tax professional, can reap

that’s something that’s really important to me.”

the tax benefits of not paying a capital gains tax that typically comes with cashing out cryptocurrency, along with getting a tax write-off for the amount donated.

WALLY TSUHA CRYPTOCURRENCY DONOR In the midst of unprecedented need and fundraising challenges,

DAN GERMOND REAL ESTATE DONOR

The Salvation Army turned to cryp-

Dan Germond has been a friend

tocurrency, launching its first-ever

to The Salvation Army for many

crypto kettle in the Western U.S. in

years, offering both financial sup-

December 2020 that allows donors to donate cryptocur-

port that goes back to his first

rencies Bitcoin and Ethereum directly to The Salvation

gift in 1992 and volunteering his

Army. The transactions are as easy as making an online

time through service on the Glendale (Arizona) Advisory

credit card transaction, and come with a receipt and, per-

Board.

haps most importantly, tax benefits.

He established a Charitable Remainder Trust in excess

And it didn’t take long to hear the digital coin clang as

of $100,000 in 2018, funded with a gift of his office build-

Wally Tsuha became the first to donate two Bitcoin—val-

ing. As a result, Germond will receive an income during

ued at more than $46,000—in Honolulu Dec. 23, 2020.

his lifetime. He later set up a Retained Life Estate in ex-

Tsuha grew up with seven siblings in Kalihi and remembers “when The Salvation Army brought the baskets of

cess of $400,000 with a gift of his personal home, retaining the right to live in it for the rest of his life.

food and some clothing and some toys,” he told Hawaii

“My [late] wife, Lynda Lee (Barrett) Germond, had a

News Now at the time of his gift. Now, after a successful

special place in her heart for the work of The Salvation

career as an executive in the automotive electronics indus-

Army and reminded me to keep up the good work and

try and starting his own corporation, Tsuha urged others to

continue supporting the Army,” Germond said.

give cryptocurrency, too.

The Germonds' love of philanthropy and desire to im-

“It is a great cause and they need the money,” he told

prove their communities were nurtured at home during

the publication. “I think everyone knows also that The Sal-

their formative years. Both the Barrett and Germond fam-

vation Army does not turn anyone away.”

ilies were business and community leaders who demon-

CARING 2022

39

It was so ref reshing how honest, earnest, humble and effective the organization was.—ANGLELA KRABLIN

strated faith and were active in their respective churches.

effective the organization was,” she said. “They struck me

Eventually, Germond founded an organization called

as the real deal—doing the right things, the right way,

Revere America, dedicated to honoring the memories

for the right reasons. I also liked that The Salvation Army

of their parents and his wife. Revere America has also

is a Christian organization as that fits with my own be-

supported The Salvation Army and other charitable or-

liefs. The more I got involved I knew that they were trust-

ganizations. Love of country, faith in God and the honor-

worthy and good.”

ing of marriage are the hallmarks of Revere America and Germond’s philosophy.

Now she often talks about The Salvation Army “I am proud to be affiliated with this organization,” she said. “The Army is a well-respected, legitimate organization and my involvement is part of my identity.

ANGELA KRABLIN

What does she tell potential donors?

VOLUNTEER AND CASH DONOR

“Your dollars are safe with The Salvation Army, and

Angela Krablin spends her days

you will always know how they use your donations,” she

as Senior VP of Bank Operations at

said. “A donation to The Salvation Army contributes to

Montecito Bank in Santa Barbara,

the longevity of an organization that knows what they

California. In her spare time, she

are doing, how to do it, and who do it well. Nothing is

serves as a volunteer member of

more important to me.”

The Salvation Army Santa Barbara Advisory Board, supporting the local work as board chairperson for the past 11 years. She also enjoys making donations to the orga-

JENNY EDWARDS

nization.

MONTHLY CASH DONOR

She first met the Army while looking for assistance for

Monthly giver Jenny Edwards

a family member in addiction and discovered a Salvation

has a passion for doing good. As

Army Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) nearby. Every

an educator, she has helped both

year, The Salvation Army equips more than 150,000 peo-

children and adults reach their po-

ple across the U.S. to combat addiction, regain health

tential. Currently, she mentors doc-

and stability, build work and social skills and restore fam-

toral students at Fielding Graduate University. As a ther-

ilies in more than 130 residential treatment facilities.

apist and life coach she has assisted clients worldwide

“I was so impressed with the program that I joined

in healing from trauma and releasing negative thought

the ARC board and started donating to the program,”

patterns. Her driving force aligns with The Salvation Ar-

Krablin said. “Once I became familiar with the organiza-

my’s mission to help others, and her cash donations sup-

tion, I was impressed with the fiscal responsibility and

port the Army’s promise of “Doing the Most Good.”

the dedication to the work they were doing. I felt the dif-

Edwards’ connection with The Salvation Army began

ference immediately, having been involved in so many

with her late husband, Bo Edwards, an attorney who

local and national organizations.

could trace his ancestry back to William Booth. Inspired

A recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award from the

by this connection with The Salvation Army’s founder, he

Rotary Club, Krablin found The Salvation Army team ex-

and his wife began supporting the Army’s efforts to help

perienced.

others through regular cash donations. They gave their

“It was so refreshing how honest, earnest, humble and

40

CARING 2022

first gift to the Army in 1987; to date; they have given 163

This is an organization that you can trust. I'm happy that I can feel confident about what they're doing.—SUSAN HOEHN

gifts. Today, Edwards continues the tradition of giving to support the Army’s mission.

ing the Gospel in Jesus’ name without discrimination.

The Salvation Army’s Door of Hope in San Diego,

“I continue to honor Bo by giving to the organizations

California, holds a special place in the Hoehns’ hearts.

to which he donated...Those in my husband’s family were

After Bill Hoehn’s mother, Betty Jo Hoehn, died in the

always strong Christians, kind and loving, who served the

1990s, the family donated a playground to the resi-

Lord and did good in the community,” Edwards said.

dence facility in her honor.

Edwards is currently writing two books: one on how

Door of Hope consists of shelters for families and

parents can use language to instill a positive self-image

women with children experiencing homelessness as

in their children, and the other on how people first came

well as programming aimed to help secure permanent

to know Christ and how they live the Christian life. She

housing and heal from domestic abuse.

feels confident giving to The Salvation Army, knowing the money will support those who most need it.

The couple later gave a new Honda Odyssey, dubbed “The Van of Hope,” in 2020.

For many residents of the transitional and interim housing units, transportation is a barrier to everyday

BILL AND SUSAN HOEHN

life. The donated van helps to transport residents to get

CREATIVE DONORS

them to apartments in order to meet landlords and ap-

Bill

and

Susan

Hoehn of Hoehn Motors in Carlsbad, California, are long-time volunteers,

groceries, medical supplies, and eventually to transport ply for residence.

“I really like what they do and how they do it,” Susan Hoehn said.

While the Hoehns support a number of Christain or-

fundrais-

ganizations, both nationally and internationally—over the

ers and donors to The

last few years, the Hoehns said they have become more

Salvation Army.

committed to The Salvation Army’s mission and work.

As successful busi-

Bill Hoehn said he appreciates the Army’s ability to

ness owners with sev-

“operate in integrity” while abstaining from “scandal or

en dealerships across Carlsbad, the Hoehns have given The

financial impropriety.” Susan Hoehn added,“This is an or-

Salvation Army several vehicles over the years—yet their

ganization that you can trust. I'm really happy that I can

support goes far beyond.

feel confident about what they're doing.”

Susan Hoehn recalled their first time volunteering with

She stays involved through her position on the strate-

The Salvation Army at a Christmas toy distribution when

gic planning committee for The Salvation Army’s Rady

their three children were young. “It was just this fabulous

Residence in downtown San Diego. “We know the peo-

feeling of being able to give to people personally,” she said.

ple and we are in the trenches with them,” she said.

Bill Hoehn said early on he became aware of The

“Genuine people that work there with very honest and

Salvation Army’s ministry and was impressed with its “wholehearted dedication” to the faith.

sincere and successful programs.

“We're investing in people's lives in the best way,” Su-

He said The Salvation Army stood out among other orga-

san Hoehn said. “For them to have a new beginning and

nizations for its appeal to, and admiration from, non-Chris-

a better life with Christian influences...That's just all the

tians while still maintaining a commitment to spread-

reward I need.”

CARING 2022

41

Army leadership why they “don’t toot their horn” more often and volunteered to help tell others about all the good the organization does.

“The Army really does the most good,” he said. “We believe that.”

So the Drapers decided to hold their own social gathering in September 2021 and invited 30 neighbors and friends to their home in Littleton, Colorado, to hear more about The Salvation Army’s current work and needs.

One of those friends, Mike Mills, said he was moved when he learned how The Salvation Army supports

ANNE AND JOHN DRAPER

youth in Denver. For nearly 30 years, Mills has been involved with Metro Denver Crime Stoppers, serving as its

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN DONORS

board president for the last 16 years, and in 2020, estab-

MIKE MILLS

lished the Clay Connections Foundation to break bias-

FAMILY FOUNDATION DONOR Anne and John Draper knew about The Salvation

es between underserved youth and law enforcement through outdoor activity. He saw an opportunity for a natural partnership with The Salvation Army.

Army—they had given to the organization over the years—

Mills later toured the Denver Red Shield, attended a

but they didn’t fully know all the Army did in the metro

Camp Donor Day and invited Salvation Army leadership

Denver area until they attended a brunch with neighbors

to visit the grounds of his foundation.

some four years ago. The chairperson for the local advisory

“It’s nice to really find out—instead of just giving mon-

board was there, and shared how he was involved with The

ey—to know how the money is being spent,” he said. “To

Salvation Army, why and all the good it was doing.

know the people running the programs and see how

“That’s when we first learned The Salvation Army is

passionate they are about their mission.”

more than ringing bells at Christmas and a shelter for

Mills funded a $50,000 grant from his family founda-

people downtown,” Anne Draper said. They later toured

tion, the Ronald and Carol Moore Family Foundation, to

Army programs in the Denver area and learned more

support Salvation Army youth programs in Denver.

about the breadth of Salvation Army assistance to more than 30 million Americans a year.

“We give to various nonprofit organizations across the country, but we realized The Salvation Army does a lot for people where we live and that was important,” Draper said. “We wanted to give to help closer to home, too.”

“Without good people dedicating their lives to serving none of this is possible,” he said. “I’m only one piece of it—I’ve been fortunate and now it’s my opportunity and good fortune to give back.”

And now, like the Drapers, Mills tells others about the wide array of Salvation Army services, too.

And they have, including pledging support with a

“We do not give for any type of recognition; that’s not

$100,000 gift to the Army’s capital campaign for a new

who we are,” said Anne Draper. “When you see the good

family housing center, corps and headquarters in the

that happens you just feel better—maybe we’ve made a

Denver Metro area.

little bit of difference.” | C |

“The more we’ve learned about The Salvation Army, the more we appreciate,” Draper said. “We like that The Salvation Army works with a lot of other nonprofits. We feel like money we give is not wasted; it’s being spent wisely in working with others.”

As they became more involved, John Draper asked

42

CARING 2022

You’ve probably seen the red kettles and thrift stores, and while we’re rightfully well known for both…The Salvation Army is so much more than red kettles and thrift stores. So who are we? What do we do? Where? Pull up a seat for Salvation Army 101 at caringmagazine.org/ the-salvation-army-101.

OTHER GIFTS

HOW CAN YOU PARTNER WITH THE SALVATION ARMY?

IRA CHARITABLE ROLLOVER IRA owners 70½ or over order a transfer from the IRA directly to our organization. Money directed to The Salvation Army is excluded from the donor’s gross income for federal tax purposes (up to $100,000) but counts toward the donor’s annual required minimum

CHARITABLE

for Good and make an impact with The Sal-

TRUST (CRAT) Set up trust that pays

vation Army. Consider how you could give

specific annual benefit for life of benefi-

DONOR ADVISED FUND The donor makes

using this gift planning guide:

ciary(ies), or for a period up to 20 years;

an irrevocable contribution to a restricted

trust property transferred to The Sal-

fund maintained by The Salvation Army.

vation Army when benefits end; usually

The full amount of the gift qualifies for a

funded with cash or securities. Qualifies

charitable income tax deduction; the donor

CASH Write a check or use a credit card.

for an income tax charitable deduction;

may advise regarding fund distribution, but

Easy to make; qualifies for an income tax

possibly avoids capital gains when funded

may not place material restrictions on the

charitable deduction for full amount of gift.

with long-term appreciated property.

fund.

SECURITIES Transfer to The Salvation

CHARITABLE

UNITRUST

RETAINED LIFE ESTATE A form of real es-

Army

(stocks,

(CRUT) Similar to CRAT, except income

tate gift in which the donor retains the right

bonds) held for more than one year. Qual-

amount varies each year as trust assets are

to live in the property for life. Qualifies for

ifies for an income tax charitable deduction

revalued; may be funded with cash, secu-

an income tax charitable deduction based

for full fair market value; no capital gains

rities and other assets. Same benefits as

on the present value of the remainder interest

tax payable on asset’s appreciated value.

CRAT. Different funding and payout options

that will eventually go to The Salvation Army.

OUTRIGHT GIFTS

an

appreciated

asset

REMAINDER

REMAINDER

ANNUITY

distribution (RMD).

You can join donors like these in the Fight

(unlike a CRAT).

CLOSELY HELD STOCK Business owner gives stock to The Salvation Army, then

REVOCABLE GIFTS

CHARITABLE LEAD TRUST (CLT) The Salvation Army receives annual trust income; trust principal reverts to donor or beneficia-

the corporation may repurchase the same stock. The fair market value of the stock

BEQUEST Use a will to direct property to

ries at end of trust term. Qualified CLT may

qualifies for a charitable deduction; no

The Salvation Army at death. Estate tax

qualify for a gift tax or estate tax charitable

capital gains tax.

charitable deduction for the value of the

deduction or for an income tax charitable de-

gift; the donor retains lifetime use and con-

duction, depending on the type of CLT.

TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY Donate

trol of property intended as a bequest.

LIFE INSURANCE Give a life insurance

property to The Salvation Army. Income tax charitable deduction for full fair market

REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST Set up a

policy to The Salvation Army, or designate

value if gift property used by The Salvation

trust that directs the disposition of

The Salvation Army as beneficiary of the

Army for its exempt purposes (otherwise,

assets, including gifts to The Salva-

policy, or use a policy as a wealth replace-

deduction limited to adjusted cost basis).

tion Army; the trust can be revoked or

ment tool in tandem with a CRAT or CRUT.

Qualified appraisals are often necessary.

changed. Minimizes costs and delays of

Possible income tax charitable deduction

probate; facilitates transfer of assets;

for the donated policy.

LIFE INCOME PLANS

plan is private, not public (unlike a will); continuity of asset management in the

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY Assets (usu-

event of death or disability.

ally cash or securities) donated to The Salvation Army in exchange for fixed annuity

RETIREMENT PLAN ASSETS The Salva-

payments. The gift portion of the donation

tion Army named as beneficiary of retire-

qualifies for an income tax charitable deduc-

ment plan assets (other arrangements also

tion; part of payments may be tax-free return

possible). This may have estate planning

of principal; capital gains tax on the transfer

benefits because income in respect of a

is spread over the donor’s life expectancy if

decedent (IRD) is taxable to heirs but not to

donor is the annuitant.

The Salvation Army.

Are you ready to give?

Want to know more?

Visit caringmagazine.org/give or contact Debbie Rossi, Western Territorial Executive Director of Development: debbie.rossi@usw.salvationarmy.org (562) 491-8350 30840 Hawthorne Blvd.

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

CARING 2022

43

READ, LISTEN, BE INSPIRED I think a truly biblical view of womanhood is that God calls women to do all sorts of things and that God doesn’t and never has limited women to only one type of role. —DR. BETH ALLISON BARR Dr. Beth Allison Barr

The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth Men lead. Women follow. The Bible tells us so. Or does it? Is there a divine order when it comes to men and women? What if so-called “biblical womanhood” isn’t biblical at all but arose from a series of clearly definable historical moments? What if there is a better way forward for the contemporary church?

Dr. Beth Allison Barr lays out clear evidence that there is in her new book, “The Making of Biblical Womanhood:

Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith

Jeff and André Shinabarger

How the Subjugation of Women Beal. Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith has found

love and raise a healthy family? That’s

Hear Dr. Beth Allison Barr share

seven types of rest lacking in the lives of

exactly what André and Jeff Shinabarg-

some of the evidence for a truly biblical

those she treats: physical, mental, spiritu-

er tackle in their latest project. They

view of womanhood in Episode 79 of

al, emotional, sensory, social and creative.

interviewed 100 modern couples who

the Do Gooders Podcast.

Plus, she knows firsthand the toll a defi-

want it all and partnered with the Bar-

ciency of rest can take.

na Group to survey couples across the

came Gospel Truth.”

Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity How can you keep your energy, happiness,

creativity

and

Hear

Dr.

Saundra

Dalton-Smith

country. Their book and podcast—titled

share how you can find and embrace

“Love or Work”—explores the personal

true rest on Episode 78 of the Do Good-

stories and research they gathered as

ers Podcast.

they share their own tensions and practices to cultivate a better together.

relationships

thriving in the midst of never-ending

Love or Work: Is It Possible to

family demands, career pressures and

Change the World, Stay in Love

discuss living on purpose in a new era

simply the stress of everyday life? Here’s

and Raise a Healthy Family?

of work and life on Episode 63 of the Do

the doctor’s orders: Rest is not option-

Can we change the world and stay in

Hear André and Jeff Shinabarger

Gooders Podcast.

BEING A NICE HUMAN ALWAYS HAS A PLACE IN YOUR DAY. But how to go about it on the average day? Join 23k+ people who care and get weekly inspiration from the Caring Magazine Do Good Digest sent right to your inbox. Visit caringmagazine.org/subscribe.

44

CARING 2022

GOOD MEDIA

Gospelbound: Living with Resolute Hope in an Anxious Age In April 2020, a government emergency hotline for emotional

EVEN MORE GOOD STUFF

distress heard from 20,000 people—compared with just 1,800 in April 2019. But—pandemic or not—this rise in anxiety isn’t all that surprising. It could be expected, in fact, when our unchanging faith collides with a changing culture. That’s what authors Sarah Zylstra and Collin Hansen explore in their new book: “Gospelbound: Living with Resolute Hope in an Anxious Age.” The influence of Christians with hearts tangled up in the gospel seems to be waning just as we’re needed most. But there’s another story unfolding, too.

Hear Sarah Zylstra counter growing fears with a robust message of a gritty, real, resolute hope for anyone hungry for good news on Episode 77 of the Do Gooders Podcast.

A Simple Guide for How to Pray Prayer is a conversation between you and God. It’s that simple—and yet, it can feel really hard. That’s why Pete Greig, who co-founded and leads the 24-7 Prayer movement, wrote

GOOD WORDS FROM THE GOOD WORD: AFFIRMATIONS FROM SCRIPTURE

a how-to guide on making prayer approachable for anyone.

Did you know your thoughts change how you feel...

Listen as Greig shares more about prayer and yes, how to

and act? Be more intentional with good words from

pray—especially following Jesus’s instructions to keep it sim-

the good Word with these 20 affirmations from Scripture. Purchase online at caringmagazine.org/

ple, keep it real and keep it up.

Hear Pete Greig share a simple guide for how to pray to-

resources

day on Episode 71 of the Do Gooders Podcastt. | C | CARING SCRIPTURE LIBRARY Get inside the Caring Magazine Scripture Study Collection and find a suite of free, downloadable Bible studies to guide you through topics from New Beginnings Through Forgiveness, to Understanding our Imago Dei or Life Hacks From David. caringmagazine.org/scripture WHAT’S YOUR CAUSE QUIZ Are you best suited to join the Fight for Good in disaster relief? Mental health? Social justice? Take our What’s Your Cause quiz and discover where you can make the biggest impact today.

Sarah Zylstra

Pete Greig

The best thing you can do if you want to grow in prayer is to start simply by saying, 'I find it hard.' —PETE GREIG

caringmagazine.org/quiz FIND YOUR STORY COURSE Hear this: Your story is uniquely yours. It’s the one thing you have that no one else does. And you’re the one who can tell it best. Take our free email course on how to find your voice, own your story and share it with others. caringmagazine.org/story | C |

CARING 2022

45

ow H

Training up the workforce with culinary, construction and nursing programs.

Sheltering men, women and family units.

Giving children their parents back through addiction rehabilitation programs.

Responding to disaster in the immediate aftermath and for years following.

THE SALVATION ARMY DOES GOOD

Providing gifts for parents to put under the tree at Christmas.

Equipping workers with the proper tools and clothing to get to work.

Providing emergency foster care for children whose parents cannot take care of them.

Preventing eviction and homelessness with rental assistance.

Encouraging those recovering from addiction with Celebrate Recovery meetings.

Making sure kids don’t go hungry through daily lunch sack programs.

Providing gas and lodging vouchers for those who need it.

Giving youth a safe place to have fun.

Building character through youth programs that work on self control, social skills and personal responsibility.

Serving Thanksgiving dinner so that everyone in the community can share in the merriment.

Letting kids be kids at summer camp.

Helping those coming out of human trafficking find hope for a better life.

Providing a safe space for women escaping domestic violence.

Serving veterans with groceries, housing and mental health services.

Tutoring children at risk of falling behind academically.

Partnering with groups to ensure shelter guests have healthy vision and dental care.

Providing the opportunity for pregnant and parenting teens to earn their high school diploma.

caringmagazine.org

Connecting those living in transit stations to housing, food and mental health resources.

Offering a safe place for those living on the streets to shower and wash their laundry.

Creating a safe space for distance learning for kids of working families.

Housing those coming out of addiction recovery programs in sober living facilities.

Creating sustainable thrift store business practices and eliminating waste.

Supporting local food vendors while feeding those in need.

Bringing community to seniors.

Providing hope through social and spiritual ministries.

Offering support to people regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Educating youth in dance, art and music at no cost through afterschool programs.

Sharing stories from all walks of life to spread faith, inspiration and hope.

Providing transportation for those who want to attend worship services and other programs at the corps.

Supplying kids with everything they need for back to school.

Giving people who want to help an opportunity to give back.

Caroling outside your local grocery store at Christmas.

Praying with anyone who needs the ministry of presence.

46

CARING 2022

A $100 donation to The Salvation Army can provide three nights of shelter for a person in need.

WILL YOU JOIN US IN THE FIGHT FOR GOOD?

The Salvation Army is committed to doubling our impact on homelessness. By virtue of both our calling and our mission, we bear a special responsibility to do more for those who are struggling on the streets. Whether it’s developing programs that prevent homelessness, operating emergency shelters, opening transitional housing facilities or building permanent supportive housing, we must act.

See more about The Salvation Army’s fight to end homelessness at caringmagazine.org/fight-homelessness

NON PROFIT US POSTAGE

PAID

The Salvation Army USA Western Territory

PERMIT NO. 1831 LOS ANGELES, CA

30840 Hawthorne Boulevard Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

Love Beyond

Layoffs Dilemmas Despair Skipped Meals Overdue Bills Eviction Cold Nights Loneliness Measure "Above all, love." – 1 Peter 4:8 For 156 years, The Salvation Army has been loving all who feel lost. With your help, we’ll never stop.

SalvationArmyUSA.org