New Frontier Chronicle September/October 2022 | Vol. 40, No. 5

“Combined with all other items that have gone up as a result of inflation, like gas and food, it’s made a significant dent in our clients’ overall fi nancial budget. The clients are forced to make tough de cisions…on, ‘Do I pay this or do I pay this?’” Trimmer said. “Being able to help with ener gy assistance, it provides a little extra cushion.” The Reno Corps’ utility as sistance program is funded through a grant that’s annu ally awarded by the Feder al Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). With last year’s funds, the corps was able to help 127 people with utilityAndbills.the demand for aid is high. Trimmer noted that peo ple who haven’t sought as sistance from The Salvation Army in a while have started to come “Becauseback.of prices, bills are

Initiative honors service volunteersextension Utility assistance programs offer relief amid record inflation The Salvation Army fills gaps in Anchorage UTILITIES PAGE 11

BACK TO LIFE Turlock Corps community garden blooms anew. 'BINGO!' Corps transforms familiar game into ministry. ARMY Crack the code of Salvation Army acronyms.

2 6 8 15 KNOW YOUR

CAMPGROUND PAGE 11

INSIDE THE LOVE WE'RE CALLED TO By Lt. Colonel Kyle Smith

BY CAITLIN JOHNSTON Dottie Kreps has seen God working in herHecommunity.wasthere when a woman came to the bank Kreps worked at to open an account for The Salvation Army. And when that woman told Kreps she was looking for a volunteer to run the ser vice extension unit (SEU) that would provide care and support to the people of Benson, Arizona. He was there when Kreps said, yes, she would help. And he was there in each of the volunteer efforts Kreps went on to organize these past 25 years: the Angel Trees and the food drives and the Stuff the Bus school supply collections.

With DOUG—CAPTAINHANSON

ArmySalvationThe Blvd.,Hawthorne30840 90275CAVerdes,PalosRanchoNONPROFIT POSTAGEUS PAID 1831NO.PERMIT CAANGELES,LOS NEWS FROM THE SALVATION ARMY USA WEST SINCE 1983 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 • VOL. 40, NO. 5

helppracticalassistance,utilityit’sjustanotherwaytopeoplewhoareinneed.

BY HILLARY JACKSON As the date approached for the clo sure of the mass shelter at Anchorage’s Sullivan Arena for those experiencing homelessness during the pandemic, the question became: Where are people go ing to go? The Municipality of Anchorage worked with local nonprofits to identify solutions for individuals who wanted to find housing or seek treatment options, according to Alaska Public Media. When the shelter closed by the Munic ipality on June 30, those who had not been placed were taken to the Centen nial Campground and provided with a tent, blanket and mat for camping. At the campground, which is located about 15 minutes from the arena, what started as a group of about 30 individ uals grew to over 150, said Salvation Army Anchorage Social Services Di rector Captain Denice Delgado, who is charged with handling the day-to-day management of client care at the camp ground.“[Itwas a] you-build-it-they-willcome type of mentality,” she said, not ing the number of people at the site changes daily. “Everybody just kept coming.”Andwith the people came human needs. Because the number of people

BY VIVIAN LOPEZ Amid a record-breaking in flation rate, American house holds are having to make hard choices about how to spend their money, including on es sentials like utilities. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics re ports the cost of energy ser vices—including electricity and gas—has increased nearly 20 percent in the last 12 months. Utility assistance programs at Salvation Army corps in the Western U.S. are becoming vi tal lifelines for people in need of relief from rising costs. Salvation Army Reno (Ne vada) Corps Officer Major Darren Trimmer said the corps has seen a greater need for utility assistance.

In the Southwest, The Salvation Army recognizes those who help serve in every zip code.

Divisional Secretary and Incident Commander Captain Kevin Pope and team members build tents at the Centennial Campground. |PHOTO COURTESY ALASKA DIVISION

“Every year, we have a God thing hap pen,” Kreps said. “A moment where we see him working so clearly…I don’t know SERVICE EXTENSION PAGE 10 (L to r): Lt. Colonel Ivan Wild, Dottie Kreps, Colonel Olin Hogan |PHOTO COURTESY SCOTT JOHNSON

Stacie Faasavalu, Long Beach Citadel

HAWAIIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDS DIVISION

Alexis Jordan Sargent, Yakima Corps

Representative*

Captain Samuel LaMar Hawaii County Coordinator* NORTHWEST DIVISION Captains Stephanie and Steven Pavlakis Corps Officers, Seattle Temple

Lt. Colonel Kyle Smith Often Salvation Army officers, sol diers, employees and volunteers can become so accustomed to serving oth ers in need, that we start to feel our small gestures of love and kindness don’t amount to much. How wrong we are! It’s the consistent small moments of showing up with the love of Jesus that make the difference. As it turns out, it’s the only thing that counts. This kind of love is not something you can fake—it is the divine gift of a genuine concern for the wellbeing of another person who may not be able to give anything back. It is a pure love for the soul, and this is the love that transforms people. The Bible also tells us that it is by our love that others will know we are followers of Jesus (John 13:35). Because of God’s love within us, we can love and serve others gen erously. This is the love that fuels our individual responses to those around us. This is the love that fuels our Sal vation Army as we serve those who are excluded, overlooked or ignored. May we never find ourselves in the prophet Jonah’s shoes. His story makes it clear that it is possible to do the will of God without the loving heart of God. Let’s make sure to love those we help with all our hearts, no matter where they come from or how they got where they are. We must be like Mr. Coombridge and Mr. Jewkes, a reflection of Jesus, show ing kindness and grace. And it’s not dif ficult. It can come through a smile and a word of encouragement—or even the gift of an orange at Christmas. This is the love that wins the hearts of men and women. This is what will change the world. This is what we're called to do in Jesus’ name. NFC WITH CHRISTIN THIEME Published by The Salvation Army USA Western Territory 30840 Hawthorne Blvd. Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 General Information 562/436-7000 Commissioner Douglas Riley, Territorial Commander Colonel Kelly Igleheart, Chief Secretary Lt. Colonel Kyle christin.thieme@usw.salvationarmy.org562/491-8723Editor-in-ChiefChristinEDITORIALnewfronCommunicationsSmith,Secretarytierchronicle.orgnew.frontier@usw.salvationarmy.orgnewfrontierchronicle@nfchronicleSTAFFThieme,andLiterarySecretaryHillaryJackson,ManagingEditor562/491-8330hillary.jackson@usw.salvationarmy.orgKarenGleason,SeniorEditor562/491-8332karen.gleason@usw.salvationarmy.orgLouBuhl,Editor562/491-8343lou.buhl@usw.salvationarmy.orgONLINEANDSOCIALMEDIACoryGaudaur,DigitalOperationsDirector562/491-8326cory.gaudaur@usw.salvationarmy.orgEmilyAnderson,SocialMediaEditor562/491-8793emily.anderson@usw.salvationarmy.orgLAYOUTANDDESIGNKevinDobruck,ArtDirector562/491-8328kevin.dobruck@usw.salvationarmy.org

CASCADE DIVISION Major Kimberly Williams VAVS DEL ORO DIVISION Major Pamilla Brackenbury Divisional Secretary for Program*

Captains Hilda & James Parks Corps Officers, Renton Corps

Sheryl Flockhart, Phoenix Kroc Center

about

Majors Ralph (Jr.) and Dianne Jiminez —October 2022, Special Projects Officers Northwest Division

Jennifer(2022–2024)Breazeale, Albuquerque Citadel

Chief Secretary and Territorial President of Women’s Ministries Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar Territory Effective Nov. 1

The Western Territory sent 27 delegates from across five divisions to the 2022 National Seminar on Evangelism (NSE), Aug. 6–13 at Camp Hoblitzelle in Midlothian, Texas. "A question was asked that impacted my life: Do you love him enough to tell somebody Jesus? If I make myself available with what it is in my hands, it becomes God’s for him to use to bring others to Christ; then I can say with confidence every day, ‘Lord help me to lead one more,’” said attendee Reyna Mejia from the Long Beach (California) Red Shield

TRANSFERRING OUT OF TERRITORY Lt. Cols. Kyle and Lisa Smith

RETIREMENTS

The love we’re called to

Andrew Flockhart, Phoenix Kroc Center

FIRST YEAR CADETS

Majors Greg and Orpha Moody Older Adult Ministries Secretaries and VAVS Secretaries*—Effective June 29 Major Debora Donini Campus Chaplain*—Effective June 29

Captains Faith and Stephen Hartt Corps Officers, Auburn Corps —Effective Aug. 3, 2022

T here are some moments in life you just never forget. It may not be spectacular or even noteworthy to others, but for you, the moment touches your heart and im pacts your life in ways you will never forget.

Samuel Gilmore, Salt Lake City Corps Sean Pease, Denver Red Shield Brian Reed, Tacoma Corps Emily Reed, Tacoma Corps

DEFENDERS OF JUSTICE SESSION

GOLDEN STATE DIVISION Major Diane Madsen Divisional Community Care Ministries —EffectiveSecretary*June29

Where you can tune in for good ideas. Get inspiration from the experts on how to do good and find meaning along the Thenway.make an impact for good right where you are. Subscribe in your favorite podcast player now and see more caringmagazine.org/dogooderspodcast.at DO GOODERS PODCAST DO GOODERS PODCAST In honor of crosswordcaringmagazine.org/especiallycrosswordKyleSecretaryCommunicationsoutgoingLt.ColonelSmith,enjoyacreatedforhimat

Joseph Duran-Calhoon, Las Vegas Citadel Faaoloviti Faasavalu, Long Beach Citadel

New Frontier Chronicle founded 1983 Bob Docter, Founding Editor ISSN westernusa.salvationarmy.org2164-5930 “ It’s Jesuswithsmallconsistentthemomentsofshowinguptheloveofthatmakethedifference.Asitturnsout, it's the only thingcounts.that ” —LT.KYLECOLONELSMITH Caring is a magazine from The Salvation Army for people who care about making an impact for good. As a Salvation Army officer or employee, you’ll also find a curated collection of inspiring news for you in the New Frontier Chronicle print edition and our email newsletter, the Weekly. See more caringmagazine.org.at 2 NEW FRONTIER CHRONICLE • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 UP FRONT NEW APPOINTMENTS Appointments effective Aug. 17 unless otherwise stated. *Indicates additional responsibilities COLLEGE FOR OFFICER TRAINING Major Hannah Lee Personnel Officer—Effective July 20 CALIFORNIA SOUTH DIVISION Majors Neil and Rubina Navarro Corps Officers, Cathedral City Corps

For me, as an impressionable young teenager, I remember Mr. Jewkes passing by me at the corps, smiling and stopping to ask how I was doing—and waiting for an answer that went beyond the usual “fine.” I remember Mr. Coombridge, who sat next to me in my corps brass band, and always had a kind word. Of course, my uncles always had time to invest in me. Perhaps you've had those same sorts of peo ple in your life—people who were there, showing you love in the simplest of ways at the very moments you needed them most. I will never forget one snowy Sunday in Spo kane, Washington, when Lisa and I were corps officers. We had taken our corps Singing Company to a retirement home to sing Christmas carols. When we finished singing, one of the residents came up to me. With excite ment, she shared how she planned on leaving The Salvation Army $1 million in her estate. When I asked her why, she told me when she was a young girl, during the depression, a Salvation Army officer gave her an orange at Christmas. I smiled politely, frankly underwhelmed by her description of the gift she had received. She must have sensed it because she grabbed my arm and said, “No, no. You don’t get it. This was the depres sion! We had nothing, and you gave me a juicy, fresh orange—something we never got in those days!” She had not forgotten the impact and bless ing of that moment. We read in Galatians 5:6: The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love.

Nicolas Carrillo-Saad, Yuba Sutter Corps

Maria Duenas, Yuba Sutter Corps

NATIONAL SEMINAR ON EVANGELISM

Young musicians gather at WMI Life withengagementchangingfostercare

With 109 delegates from all the West’s divisions, Western Music Institute (WMI) met July 29–Aug. 6 at Pine Summit Camp in Big Bear, California, with a final concert at the Tustin Ranch Corps. The group included two international delegates, representing Holland and England. Pictured clockwise are the WMI 2022 delegates, s’mores-making during campfire night, the WMI timbrelists and participants in the first-ever mariachi elective class. WMI last met in person in 2019. Neil Smith is Western Territorial Music Secretary. TERRON CRAIG

Under the guidance of Julia Jung, who serves as coordinator, Lee, Peo ny Yeon and Jonah Jung each start ed by volunteering to help out with homework over Zoom sessions after school. Soon, as they saw the need for more materials and support, they started putting together their own fundraising events, and raised $3,000 to help purchase textbooks for the 45 students participating in theHelpprogram.Onthe Go offers subjects like math, science, book club, music, art, 3D printing, English and history, with the option of group classes or private classes. It is currently open to any new students or tutors who are interested in“Eachjoining.tutor brings their own special izations in art, science, math,” said Julia Jung. “Now we have 15 tutors support ing students in California, Arizona and Washington.”AsforYeon, who is also a senior in high school, she found that sharing

dream to help kids,” said Regina Lee, a high school senior and founder of the program. “I never thought that this program would be so crucial and mean ingful to my life…through so much work, perseverance and teamwork…that dream became a reality.”

I never thought that this program would be so crucial and meaningful to my life…through so much work, perseverance and teamwork…that dream became a reality.

|PHOTOS BY

Here's how The Salvation Army can start. BY LISA BARNES, CAPTAIN My name is Lisa Barnes, and I am a Foster Care Alumni. That sounds so much more redemptive than “Former Foster Youth,” which is the more com mon term for adults who spent time in the foster care system; and in The Sal vation Army, we are in the business of redemption.Mybirth mother was an addict and prostitute, and as a result of this sick ness and the subsequent abuse in our home, I found myself in approximately 35 foster and group homes that I can re member. I am sure that there are more that I don’t remember, so that number is a conservative estimate. Through all of those experiences in foster care I was never abused or neglected or mistreated in any way. In fact, I don’t even remember being yelled at—which is a big deal because I was a bit of a monster as a kid. Extreme trauma will do that to a person. When I first started attending the Army as a teenager, my Youth Pastor— Lorrie Davis, who was the Youth Pas tor in Gresham, Oregon, for over 20 years—never gave up on me. I was off and on in foster care during that sea son, and Lorrie always found a way to contact me and make sure I could come to church and youth group whenever possible in spite of my proclivities to ward anger or violence. My guiding absolute truth was that I was unlovable. That extended to be lieving that Jesus couldn’t love me.

NEW FRONTIER CHRONICLE • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 3

Captain Lisa Barnes stands with a participant at the 2018 Brave Event in Seattle. |PHOTO COURTESY LISA BARNES

“Help On the Go started with a small

—REGINA LEE Children participate in a science experiment as part of the "Help On The Go" program at LA Korean Corps.

HELP ON THE GO

BY KRISTIN MARGUERITE DOIDGE W hen three ambitious, creative teenagers at Los Angeles Korean Corps noticed the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic had created for their peers—and some of their younger (and older) friends at The Salvation Army—they not only took action, but found a way to catalyze oth ers in the community to do the same. Their grassroots nonprofit tutor ing program called “Help On the Go” started as a way of helping fellow students impacted by school closures that began in March 2020, when more than 6 million students all over the state of California shifted to online instruction in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

|PHOTO COURTESY JULIA JUNG

TUTORING PAGE 10

FOSTER CARE PAGE 11

A peer tutoring program launched at the height of the pandemic— now, it’s expanding.

Lorrie broke that down in my life. No matter what I did she just kept loving and including me. Eventually that led me to the thoughts, “Lorrie loves me all the time, even when I am really bad. If she can love me for real…. Maybe Jesus can, too.” Someone in The Salvation Army caring for a broken kid in foster care is the foundation of my salvation story—and shifted the trajectory of my entireFastlife.forward to 2015 when I find out about a program called Brave, which is an empowerment movement for girls in foster care between the ages of 12-18. I wrote the first installment of the curric ulum for this in a guided journal format. I have done Brave events in Seattle and now in Las Vegas. I am also the Brave

An atheist's story of finding God World turned right side up

Providing meals to college students in need

At the same time, The Salva tion Army Southwest Division Emergency / Disaster Services (EDS) team was conducting the wildfire response out of the camp.

BY ANDREW FLOCKHART I found God at the Dallas-Lovefield Airport on a business trip. This trip had been particularly stress ful. As I sat at the gate waiting for my flight home, my mind was broiling with thoughts, reliving the day and trying to work through the challenges I faced. I found myself sitting with my eyes closed. I couldn’t bring peace to my thoughts. In an effort to stop overthinking, I picked up my Bible. I was studying Christianity and reading the Bible from the beginning to support my girlfriend in her beliefs. Compromise is an important part of any relationship, and I saw this as a good place to meetStill,halfway.Istruggled with the subject matter. But this time, I noticed something different. As I read, my head became quiet and I felt happier. I sat, star ing at the same page try ing to process this. Why should reading a book I didn’t believe make me feel happy? As an athe ist, I had no rational an swer.Igrew up in a non-religious household. This never seemed odd to me. Never did I feel that anything was missing. I was blessed with a loving family, and while my sister and I didn’t always get everything we wanted, we never failed to have what we needed. After visiting church with my mom as a teen, I concluded: “Religion is weird!” I don’t recall what I expected to find, but I know I wasn’t expecting it to feel so stiff and ritualistic. After a few weeks, I con cluded that I wasn’t really missing out by not going to church. At an age where you start discovering who you are as an individual, I had firmly labeled myself “agnostic.” As I grew older, I began to notice differences be tween my religious and non-religious friends. My non-religious peers were more accepting of those who were different. I remember my beliefs began to change after one particular conversation with a close friend. He was outspoken about his faith and we found ourselves in a theological debate. I ex pressed my concerns and reservations and he asked, “Well, what is it that you believe?” My honest an swer, “I’m not really sure.”

MEALS PAGE 7 VOLUNTEER PAGE 10FINDING GOD PAGE 12

In 2020, Trimble said the college spent over a mil lion dollars directly on student aid with funding stem ming from federal relief and stimulus packages and state and college foundation funding. She added, by the end of 2023, the college will have spent at least six million dollars to cover students' basic needs.

In her role, Trimble said she oversees all programs associated with helping students meet basic needs like food and housing, as well as programs that help connect students to public benefits. Trimble said the college aims to provide a wraparound support model and holistic approach for stu dents to ensure all basic needs are met, increasing the likelihood of program completion and graduation.

“They loved to come down for snacks between classes…but then they’d stay and they’d hang out and help us, and that’s how I met Autinn,” said Nicole Kanne,

4 NEW FRONTIER CHRONICLE • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022

This answer was met with a scoff of disbelief and the conversation ended. I could see his judgment. I was a fool that wasn’t worth his time. That conver sation marked not only the end of our friendship, but the end of my agnosticism too. From then on, I would label myself an “atheist.” At the airport that day, a memory popped into my head. In my youth, I had once attended a lecture by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. At the end of the lecture, someone asked him: “What do you think it would be like to meet an alien?” His answer was interesting. He said, we tend to imagine such an event as a meeting of equals. They would teach us some things and in turn learn from us—an exchange of ideas and cultures. He asked us to consider the difference between a man and a chimp’s brain as relatively minor, but what are the effects of that difference? From that difference stem advanced societies, skyscrapers, highways, art, music, the space program. We can teach gorillas sign language and com municate with them and probably learn from that experience– But is it a conversation among equals? What then would a conversation with an alien be like? They would have to be more intelligent to reach us. Why then do we think it would be a con versation on our terms?

“It's one of the things that the public depends on and places high value on,” said Corps Officer Major Phil Smith of the meals. Smith said the community college meal outreach began on “an experimental basis,” but now has plans to expand. Each week, 25 to 30 locally made meals are delivered to the college for students experiencing food insecurity and homelessness.

BY VIVIAN LOPEZ One day, Tin Kit Au-Yeung (Au tinn), an international student from Hong Kong, was attending classes at United World College (UWC)-USA in Montezuma, New Mexico. The next, she was evac uating with her classmates from the largest wildfire in the state’s history.The Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon fires started in April in the Santa Fe National Forest and were caused by prescribed burns. The two fires merged into one—burning through more than 335,000 acres. It was mostly con tained as of July 6. “Before the fire spread toward our area, we were reminded sev eral times to pack a ‘go bag’ for the possibility of being evacuat ed,” Au-Yeung said. “On Friday, April 29, we were asked to leave our campus by 5 p.m. to New Mexico Highlands University for evacuation.”Duetolimited capacity, the UWC-USA students relocated to Glorieta Adventure Camps in Glorieta, New Mexico, for shelter. From there, the school was able to continue teaching and conduct ing exams for the students while the evacuation order was in place.

“It's not a solution, but it is the beginning of steps forward,” Smith said. “Our goal is to be able to increase the number of students who are accessing these meals,” said LCC Director of Workforce and Career Services Dani Trim ble. “As more students take classes in person and spend more time on campus, we anticipate that need willAccordinggrow.”

While meals are available for purchase in Lower Columbia College’s student center, many students who face food insecurity and homelessness cannot afford them. |PHOTO COURTESY OF MAJOR PHIL SMITH

The organization handled do nations management for San Miguel County before being ap proached by the State of New Mexico to take it on for the whole state. The Salvation Army had originally been operating out of a warehouse in Las Vegas, New Mexico, but had to evacu ate when the fires got close by.

BY LOU BUHL In 2021, Longview Temple Corps provided over 20,000 hot meals to those in its Washington commu nity, according to the corps' annual stats. In 2022, the corps extended its meal outreach services to provide free meals for local community college students at Lower Columbia College (LCC).

Longview, Washington, Salvation Army fights food insecurity at Lower Columbia College.

And the camp is where AuYeung first encountered The Salvation Army. She and her classmates saw the work that Southwest EDS team members were doing to receive, sort, pack and distribute donations and wanted to help.

to The Hope Center’s Washington State #RealCollege Survey published in February 2020, 41 percent of student respondents were food insecure in the 30 days prior to the survey—with its more than 13,000 respondents consisting of students from 28 technical and community colleges in Washington, in cluding LCC. “And that was before COVID…We know that that number is higher now because the pandemic has dis proportionately impacted a lot of students,” Trimble said.

Evacuee turns volunteer to help EDS during New Mexico wildfires

Tin Kit Au-Yeung (l) boxes hygiene items along with other Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services volunteers in New Mexico. |PHOTO COURTESY AUTINN AU-YEUNG

Cadet Andrew Flockhart is now a member of the Defenders of Justice (2022-2024) session with his wife,Flockhart.Sheryl

pair lived in Seattle prior to the coronavi rus pandemic in 2019, but then moved back to Texas once the pandemic hit. After living pay check-to-paycheck in Texas, the pair said they decided to move back to Seattle. They were getting on their feet and living in their car, sleeping in a church parking lot in Kent, Washington. They first learned about the Street Level program in a Buy Nothing group on Face book. A team member from The Salvation Army who was in the group told them Street Level could help them get into an apartment—especial ly since they had jobs. They got the team member’s number, met up with her, completed the paperwork and found an apartment in two weeks, Dina Flores said. “They were very, very proactive,” said Street Level Program Manager Tina Lewis. “These two— they were on it as much as I was on it.” Since the Street Level program began its op erations in 2019, the team has helped more than 400 people gain permanent housing—and 97 per cent remain housed, according to Lewis. Now, as the effects from the pandemic contin ue, and U.S. inflation rates hit the highest they’ve been since 1981, Lewis is beginning to see some familiar faces.

“The pandemic really took a toll on things,” she said. “It's really hard now because of the rental increases and a lot of people that we housed years ago are now com ing back…because their rent has been raised up any where from $300 to $500. And now they can't handle it, so we're seeing some repeaters.”

“It was just so funny how it came together again,” Dina Flores said. But this time it’s different. In addition to the friendly neighborhood, there are many things the couple loves about their home—the balcony, the washer and dryer, the dishwasher and the fireplace are all top contenders when it comes to favorite features.

Family finds home twice with the help of The Salvation Army D ina and Kori Flores live in an apartment on a quiet street in north-central Seat tle’s Greenwood neighborhood along with their dog, Odie. It’s all a stone’s throw away from restaurants, cafes and shops— qualities many would consider when choosing a location. But the biggest reason why it feels like home?“Everybody is so nice around here,” Dina Flores said. “Everybody has a dog.” And Odie is the first to greet guests at the door. Inside, the apartment oozes a warmth fit to counter the gloomy days often associated with the Pacific Northwest. Inspirational words and af firmations of love cover the walls. A letterboard says: “Smile more, worry less and remember how blessed you are.” In many ways, the home feels like the ending— after living in a car, the Floreses found an apart ment with the help of The Salvation Army’s Street Level program. When the first place didn’t work out, they knew who to call. Now in another apart ment found with the help of the program, they have a safe place to call home that has allowed them to experience new beginnings. The Floreses met in San Antonio, Texas, at Ha ven for Hope, which serves those experiencing homelessness. Prior to his transition, Kori Flores was experiencing homelessness and staying in the women’s shelter, and Dina Flores was in the rehab portion of the facility, working on recovering from addiction. They met, and connected. After a series of relapses, Dina believes Kori saved her. “She couldn't stay sober,” Kori Flores said of Dina. “So I was like, 'Hey, come on, let's go.' She came [to Seattle], and since she came here, she wasNow,sober.”with three years of sobriety that she maintains through counseling and therapy, Dina Flores said she feels like she is making progress. “I found somebody who loved me,” Dina Flores said, noting the years she spent in what she de scribed as a toxic relationship with her then-hus band. “I was very not who I am today, so I thank Kori for that…he really helped me see the beauty in Thelife.”

And she did. When Lewis answered, Dina Flores wasn’t sure if she would remember her, but she did, and Lewis said she was actually about to reach out to her, too. She said she had the Flores’ file on her desk. Dina Flores explained their situation to Lewis, and they once again worked together to find a new apartment.

But the second time is a different kind of search, Lewis said—this time, they have a security deposit.

In Seattle, the average rent for a one-bedroom apart ment in June 2022 was $1,667, according to Apartment List—up more than 11 percent from the year prior.

Now, the pair have their sights set on the future. Dina Flores plans to begin school in the fall to become a chemical dependency counselor, and Kori Flores has begun studies to become a social worker.

BY HILLARY JACKSON

In spite of the hardships, the Street Level team has worked to house 100 people in the first six months of 2022, Lewis said. During this time, the team has expanded its personnel, and it has acquired a new building for case management that opened in Au gust

“This time around, we're discussing, we’re like… ‘We’re going to have to start looking for another apartment, we’ve got to pay the first month's rent, the deposit, the security deposit, cleaning fee—all that all over again,’”

NEW FRONTIER CHRONICLE • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 5

Dina Flores said. “So we're thinking about that, and he was like, ‘Babe, why don’t you call Tina?’”

For2022.theFlores family, rent wasn’t the reason they came back. After moving into their apartment in October 2021—a third-floor unit in Seattle’s Queen Anne neigh borhood—they began to experience habitability issues. In April, following flooding in their unit, Kori Flores said they discovered mold. After going through hassles with rental insurance and their landlord, it was time to move.

“Then we try and find something that's more in our price range, so the search is a little bit harder now,” Lewis said.

“And now we just live everyday, like regular old peo ple—drink our coffee, go to work or do schoolwork or whatever,” Dina Flores said. “We make dinner and then we go to bed at 8:30-9 o'clock.” NFC Tina Lewis, Kori and Dina Flores play with Odie in the Flores' Seattle home. |PHOTOS BY JOHN DOCTER

Volunteers in

On this Wednesday, she thanked those who had prayed for a friend of hers, Tina, and gave an update on her situation. Later she shared a job open ing she knew of for a handyman.

“When you’re homeless, it’s a fulltime job just getting a meal,” he said. Moore takes credit for connecting Francis with The Salvation Army—he introduced her to then-Santa Clarita Valley Officer In-Charge Envoy Laura Ann-Bloom Moore, who told Francis she was welcome to bring her ministry to the corps. “I’d been searching for a place where I could bring my services to,” Francis said. She’d been holding bingo at the local metro station, where many peo ple experiencing homelessness con gregate.Francis engages the bingo partici pants in various ways. Whoever wins a game gets to choose the bingo pattern for the next game. “This time we’re do ing b-i-n-g-o in a z-pattern,” she said.

Bingo brings joy to my clients. It's the fun of it. The winning part—it's a joy.

6 NEW FRONTIER CHRONICLE • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022

BINGO!

“It takes longer this way…Bingo brings joy to my clients. It’s the fun of it. The winning part—it’s a joy.”

clude community members and young missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Addition ally, several volunteers are clients who want to give back in gratitude for the help they received.

NFC

As Francis engages group members, the bingo game metamorphosizes into a ministry. “She spends a lot of time talking to them,” Bloom Moore said. “She witnesses to them.”

Both look to the future, to a time when the corps might offer a soup kitchen.“It’sa great partnership,” Bloom Moore said. “We're on the same mis sion. We serve Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and we want to reach the people. And the most important thing is they know that the Lord loves them, and that there's people that he uses to show that he loves and cares about them.”

“I’m pretty lucky. I inherited that from my mother,” he said.

Spencer, a participant, agreed that winning is the best part of the game.

“These are the people who do the work—the volunteers,” Bloom Moore said.The Salvation Army and its partners are committed to providing a hand up, not just a hand-out. They do what they can.“And that is enough,” Francis said. “I've come to realize that I cannot change the person; no matter what I do or say, it has to be coming from themselves. But as long as I can, I can provide love and affection and friendship.”

Manny won this round, receiving a $10 In-N-Out gift card. The prize for the next round was a Del Taco gift card.The corps holds space for this weekly ministry, a love offering from community member Diep (Zip) Francis, who volun teers her time. “It’s a calling,” she said. “I have a heart for the underdog.” Francis, who attends a local Cath olic church, has been serving those experiencing homelessness for 12 years. A retired hair stylist, she also offers free haircuts at the corps once a “Imonth.tryto be a resource for [those ex periencing homelessness],” she said. “If they need anything—a blanket, a backpack—they call me.” Not only does Francis show up each week with bingo supplies and prizes—

She said she believes God intended to bring her together with The Salva tion Army to better meet the needs of the homeless community. “[Bloom Moore] had the resources [the space] I needed and now people know they can come to get some food, clothing whatever they may need. If they have it, she gives it to them.”

The Santa Clarita Valley (California) Corps offers a weekly respite for community members experiencing homelessness.

The bingo group’s afternoon meet ing came after a typically busy morn ing at the Santa Clarita Valley Corps, which distributes food to those in need four days a week—Monday, Wednes day, Thursday and Friday, from 9 a.m. to 2 “Today,p.m. we served 31 families already, and it’s only 12:30,” said volunteer Dorenda Smith, adding that the corps averages about 1,000 clients every month. Volunteers keep the food dis tribution going. “We have five here now; and we had five more here this morning,” Smith said.

BY KAREN GLEASON Suspense mounted at The Salvation Army Santa Clarita Valley (California) Corps as numbers were announced: O-61, B-10, G-53. Someone was close to yelling “Bingo!” Each Wednesday afternoon, the corps hosts this bingo game. It’s not a women’s ministry or a seniors’ group; instead, it includes men and women of various ages who are experiencing homelessness. A dozen or more peo ple usually attend.

|PHOTO BY JOHN DOCTER

often fast-food gift cards—she also brings a homemade meal, which, for some, might be the only meal of the day.“Today I brought spicy Thai food,” she said. “That hot meal means a lot to Davidthem.”Moore knows the importance of a hot meal firsthand. Once home less, he received help from The Salva tion Army and is now employed and an active Salvation Army adherent.

—DIEP (ZIP) FRANCIS

McCrea said she still remembers the day when Wirtz taught her how to garden and had her try a fresh radish when she thought she didn’t like them.

During her time at the ARC, McCrea worked in the kitchen helping to cook the daily meals for other beneficiaries. “I loved the fact that we grew herbs and vegetables,” she said, mentioning she enjoyed getting to use fresh basil in various dishes. McCrea said she developed her love for cooking at the ARC, which led to her enrolling in The Salva tion Army’s culinary arts program at Hope Harbor in Lodi, California, following her graduation from the program.Toseeone’s planting and tending efforts materialize in fruits and vegetables ready to harvest, Wirtz said is “really beneficial” to the women in the program.

|PHOTOS COURTESY JULIE WIRTZ

“Instead of being so self-serving, like I was before I started in the program, I've become more of a ser vant to others,” Croker said. As the garden continues, Wirtz said she hopes to add a chicken coop to provide fresh eggs for beneficiaries. Wirtz said there are also plans to build an alumni garden to honor and provide a space for those who have been through the pro gram to return and build community to strengthen their recoveries.

Gilburt Croker graduated from the Denver ARC in 2010. Since graduating, Croker said he stays in volved with The Salvation Army through attending local chapel services and Celebrate Recovery meet ings.“The Salvation Army basically saved my life,” Cro ker said. “It's still my program—that's my sobriety, I think, and it's important to keep nourishing that.” He’s returned to the ARC to help with various proj ects, including building two crosses and gardening boxes for the Cottonwood Women’s Residence.

A decade from now, Wirtz said she hopes to see the garden “still going strong,” adding, “I hope peo ple will continue to take care of it and take care of themselves while they're doing it.”NFC

BY LOU BUHL The Cottonwood Women’s Residence at The Sal vation Army Denver Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) sits on several acres of land in Arvada, Colo rado, where those fighting substance abuse can find help through a six-month, no fee drug and alcohol residential program.

In addition to the mental and physical benefits research shows gardening can provide, Wirtz said there are also spiritual benefits that can be associ ated with gardening. “What I like to say is, ‘when you're tending the earth, you're mending the spirit,’” WirtzDenversaid.

NEW FRONTIER CHRONICLE • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 7

“We try to build a relationship that leads to more of a relational ministry versus just a direct service program,” said Smith. “We want it to feel like more of a community space than just a place to come stand in line and pick up a meal.”

“Julie was really amazing. She never gives up on anybody and she is one of the best house man agers I could have ever asked for,” McCrea added.

“It just shows that there is an extraor dinary need that our students are expe riencing,” she said. In addition to helping facilitate the meal outreach partnership with The Salvation Army, Trimble said she also accepted the position as a Longview Temple Corps advisory board member. Currently, the board consists of 10 members, seven of whom, like Trimble, joined in 2022. “My approach to board development is to find partners in the community that are like-minded in mis sion,” Smith said. Smith said the advisory board is composed of community leaders who are working toward addressing issues of hunger and “Homelessnesshomelessness.hasalotof different root causes so, it takes a lot of different solutions…Not one solution is going to be the thing that will help solve this crisis,” Trimble said. “If our community wants to engage in how we serve peo ple who are experiencing homelessness, we need to be working together and really looking at how can everyone be contributing.”Trimblesaid she saw joining the ad visory board as an opportunity to align resources and see how board members can “all come to the table to better the community.”WhileSalvation Army meals are currently offered to students in to-go boxes, Trimble said there are plans to “engage with students in person more,” as COVID-19 restrictions lighten. “The intention is to bring those meals into more of a community space, so that students would be able to eat with one another,” Trimble said. “We want it to be focused on resources, but we also want to make it fun.” By creating an informal dining area near the campus’ food pantry, Trimble said students can build community with one another and staff can learn more about the students’ needs. Another way, Trimble said the college is partnering with The Salvation Army is through referrals of resources. For ex ample, Trimble said she was able to refer a student experiencing homelessness to The Salvation Army Hope House, a tran sitional housing program with a facility operated by the Longview Corps.

“We were able to actually get [that student] into the transitional housing at The Salvation Army with the goal of partnering with the case manager there to work on a long term housing solution,” Trimble said.

“Particularly college students will say, ‘I need help, but there must be a student who needs more help than I do, right?’ Like, ‘I'm not going to ask for too much, or I'm not going to ask for what I need.’”Trimble said with the help of the col lege’s student government, there are plans to include activities at mealtimes so “people can get to know each other in more of an organic way” and help re duce that stigma.

For McCrea, the garden also served as a place for her to spend time with God. “I’d pray and I’d medi tate…I would talk out loud to God and that’s really where I met God,” she said.

“When you're in your addiction, it's such a dark place and you just want to hide and you forget how beautiful life is,” McCrea said. “It was really a beauti ful place to get sober.”

“Not only is gardening benefiting you, it's bene fiting the earth,” McCrea said. “Not to mention, it's always good to get outside and get some vitamin D and a little bit of a workout, right?”

“We’re blessed out here, I mean just blessed…It's a beautiful piece of property,” said Denver ARC Resi dent Manager and Intake Coordinator Julie Wirtz. In 2012, Wirtz graduated from the ARC program and started working at the center a year later. “I've always felt like this connection to Cottonwood…It saved my life and I wanted to help others do the same,” she said. Soon after taking on the role of resident manager at the center, Wirtz said she had the idea to build a community garden for program beneficiaries. After gaining approval from her supervisors, Wirtz said she “started digging” and the garden began to take form in 2013. “For me, it's really relaxing and very calming,” Wirtz said. “It doesn't really matter what kind of day you're having, you can go out there and all of a sudden you're nurturing and seeing all of this creation grow.”

Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center beneficiaries reap not only the physical benefits while gardening, but also the spiritual benefits.

Gardening helps those recovering from addiction in Colorado

NFC MEALS FROM PAGE 4

ARC graduate Samantha McCrea said when she felt overwhelmed while she was in the pro gram, she’d go outside to the gardens. “It was my safe place,” she said. “It really made it feel like a home at Cottonwood.”

Trimble said she also hopes to “re duce the stigma” associated with ask ing for help or seeking services.

How The Salvation Army Turlock Corps brought its garden

L BY KARENJOHNPHOTOSGLEASONBYDOCTER

ately, anyone looking for Captain Katie Breazeale at the Turlock (California) Corps is unlikely to find her in the office. Instead, she’s probably outside, tending the corps’ garden, which has come alive since she and her husband, Captain Jeff Breazeale, came to Turlock to lead the local Salvation Army. They arrived in July 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 shutdown. Unable to get as involved in their new community as they would like, they looked for what they could do and found a project waiting in the corps’ back yard—a dormant garden with potential.

—CAPTAIN KATIE BREAZEALE

“Mastermembers.Gardeners are a group of people who go out into the community,” said Heidi Aufermaur, a Stanislaus County Master Gardener who worked with the corps’ after-school club children each week. “We volunteer our time and we share information about gardening.”

It’s not about what we do, but what God does out here with all this. It’s inspired me.

During the school year, Breazeale enlisted help from the after-school club kids. “The kids were excited when we started,” she said. “When they began to see the fruits of their labor, some of them

LIFE

8 NEW FRONTIER CHRONICLE • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022

“There were weeds and sunflowers six feet tall just over taking the entire garden,” Breazeale said. “We slowly start ed getting stuff done and had volunteers who came in and helped clean it up.” Breazeale said while she’s unsure about many of the de tails involved in the origin of the garden, a donation from Raley’s supermarket got it started. Recently the corps re ceived seed donations from Master Gardeners of Stanislaus County, along with donations from other interested commu nity

It’s no surprise the garden is doing so well. Known as the heart of California’s Central Valley, Turlock has a long agricultural history that continues today. Aufermaur noted the area has a Mediterranean cli mate. She’s encouraged Breazeale to plant a winter garden with hardy vegetables like broccoli, cauliflow er and Withcarrots.theschool year ending, Aufermaur was in the garden one last time, at least for this season. Be fore the kids left the garden, they gathered around their Master Gardener for a special cheer—”one, two, three, garden rock!”

“We’re learning—like by planting the flowers and the lavender, the bees will come and pollinate,” Breazeale said. “And we have fruit trees, including a peach tree and a plum hybrid, and an avocado tree.” The large succulents include aloe, which can soothe minor skin Breazealeirritations.saidthe

Silvercrest residents love the

Meanwhile Ruby Rodriguez popped cherry to matoes into her mouth as she played bingo. “My daughter wonders why I never come home with a full bag,” she said. Back in the garden, Breazeale headed to the corn. It’s growing well, and she’s excited about it. She’s been giving it special attention.

“My favorite things are the bugs,” 5-year-old Olivia Breazeale said. Katie Breazeale confirmed that Oliv ia—her youngest daughter—spends most of her time in the garden looking for new bugs. The garden contains a variety of vegetables, fruit trees, succulents, herbs and flowers. The fresh food nourishes seniors residing at the adjacent Silvercrest Residence, as well as the after-school kids and their families. Some of it also goes into the corps’ food pantry, helping feed the wider community. One of the children takes produce home for her rabbit.

“I’ve been hand pollinating,” she said, demonstrat ing by snapping off a few tassels from the stalks and using them like feather dusters over the emerging ears of corn. “It will be amazing. In the next month, you’ll see all the corn.” She confessed that in the past she never had any luck with plants. Now she’s found a new passion, with potential for future growth.

“Then we found a bunch of bugs,” Aufermaur said. “So I brought in my bug collection. We talked about insects and bug parts.”

NEW FRONTIER CHRONICLE • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 9 really liked it.” Several claimed their own individual garden plots, identifying them with homemade signs.

“I’m trying to see what grows the best, so we know to plant it again,” Breazeale said. “It’s a lot: corn, tomatoes, squash, green beans, carrots, radishes, broccoli, watermelon and all the herbs.”

Once a week Aufermaur, a retired teacher, came to the corps, teaching the children, aged 5–12, the basics of gardening. They compiled a weed identi fication booklet so they would know what plants to leave in the garden and what had to go, along with which ones to watch out for when weeding, like stinging nettle.

produce from the garden. Many of the seniors come to the corps Monday through Friday for a lunch pro vided by United Samaritans. They can come early for a pre-lunch bingo game, when Breazeale shares fresh food from the garden.

“The kids want to be more involved,” Breazeale said. “We can make things with the food—salsa, spaghetti sauce. We literally have salad stuff…It’s all about the kids.” She emphasized the deeper significance of the garden.“It’snot about what we do, but what God does out here with all this,” she said. “It’s inspired me.” NFC Master Gardeners are a group of people who go out into the community. We volunteer our time and we share information about gardening.

—HEIDI AUFERMAUR

“This makes a beautiful salad,” Shirley Sarnows ky said, as she took a large head of lettuce. “That’s what I’m making tonight.”

FROM PAGE 1

10 NEW FRONTIER CHRONICLE • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022

In doing so, Yeon noticed her own confidence in her self as a mentor and educator blossoming. “One gift I received from this organization has been the ability to see myself grow with my students,” she added. “It wasn’t about me teaching them about the arts, but it was also about me learning from them about patience, confidence, self-esteem.”

“These volunteers and the service extension pro gram are a way The Salvation Army can serve ev ery zip code in America,” said Colonel Olin Hogan, the Service Extension Director for the Southwest Division. “They are good-hearted people who are willing to help The Salvation Army raise money in their communities that is then spent to help their communities.”Thesevolunteers are critical. Cities like Benson, Buckeye and Sedona, Arizona, wouldn’t be served if it weren’t for people willing to volunteer their time to lead a service extension unit. That’s why one of the first actions Hogan took when starting his role in October was to establish a recognition program to acknowledge and honor their work.

Lee and Yeon said they have big dreams for the program going forward. They hosted an educational summer camp this year for grades 1-5 camp with week ly field trips on Fridays, and already had more than 40 volunteers assigned to assist. Currently, they are fundraising to give financial help to children who are survivors of domestic violence and children who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. They invite students from all over the world who are in need of academic or visual arts help to come and join as they look to expand the program nationally and eventu ally, globally. NFC

“I was able to meet many amazing people…Talking to them, listening to their personal stories and sharing our daily updates with one another was always the most interesting part of my day. I would never have thought of building all these wonderful friend ships with so many beautiful souls,” she said. “Seeing the rising number of packages delivered to the dona tion center, I felt the genuine love and support people have for the commu nity—a community that I am proud to call home.”

The Service Extension Recognition of Service pro gram puts a structure in place to thank these indi viduals. Honors range from a letter of appreciation in the first year of service to a plaque awarded at a public meeting in year 10 and sharing a meal with the divisional commander, friends and family in year 20.

In Buckeye, Arizona, volunteer Phil Yabes has spent 11 years raising money locally to help eligi ble residents with their utility and water payments, along with other assistance programs.

For Lee, the experience has reaffirmed her faith. “I made deeper bonds with the members of my church, especially [Corps Officer] Major Joyce, and the kids within it,” she said. “I realized that it was a true blessing to be granted an opportunity to teach stu dents so dedicated and caring—that it must be part of God’s plan for me and my fellow peers within Help On the Go.”

Kreps is one of the 45,618 volunteers in the South west Division who have served since October 2021— many of them in service extensions, smaller volun teer-run Salvation Army units that provide social services. Service extension units make it possible for The Salvation Army to reach communities it other wise wouldn’t be able to serve.

TUTORING FROM PAGE 3 her love of the arts was particularly meaningful. No ticing that arts education had been greatly impacted by COVID and an ongoing lack of funding, she took it upon herself to create a special “Art Help on the Go” curriculum that helps kids access creative art projects and materials remotely.

“I looked at these people who have served years, decades, without pay and without anyone saying, ‘Hey, this is just magnificent,’” Hogan said. “They don’t even care about the recognition, but for The Salvation Army, we had to be honest and say, “You are doing something significant in this community, and we want to thank you for that.’”

Silvercrest Residences had also become isolated as the pandemic took hold. “They wanted to do good things and not just sit around at home,” Julia Jung said. “It grew from tutoring to a larger service to the community.”

The honor can also help renew and inspire longtime volunteers, Hogan said. “We hope this will help us with longevity, too,” Ho gan said. “It’s a way for people to see, ‘They do ap preciate us. I’m not out here alone. We’re doing this together.’”Butatthe end of the day, it’s the spirit and com passion within each volunteer that keeps the service units going. “I appreciate the Colonel recognizing me for the service, I really do,” Yabes said. “I’m very thankful and very grateful. But even if he didn’t, I would still be serving.” NFC

Out of all the volunteers, one is selected each year to receive the Doing the Most Good award, which recognizes a hardworking, compassionate person who has given exemplary service. In May, Kreps be came the first person to receive the award in the Southwest Division.

On average, Hogan estimates the volunteers ded icate 15 to 20 percent of their time each month to running the programs.

Lee, who plays the cello, organized an orchestra with 85 members and performed a classical music outdoor concert in the parking lot of the senior home. They also raised $1000 for goodie bags, coffee and cookies for the 120 residents as part of the event.

And while Kreps points to God’s guiding hand in each of the volunteer efforts she’s organized, leaders in The Salvation Army Southwest Division—covering Arizona, New Mexico and Southern Nevada—also recognize that they wouldn’t be able to help the peo ple of Benson if it weren’t for Kreps herself.

“The need has always been there,” Yabes said. “The resources have never been up to the needs. There’s always more we could be doing.” Without Yabes, those vital programs might no longer exist. And while Yabes is adamant that he doesn’t do it for the recognition—“It’s just something that needs to be done and that I can help with”—Hogan and the Army know how significant his efforts, and the efforts of all volunteers, are.

“I believe that a better future can be created through expression, creativity and art,” she said. “I have since continued to spread my love for the arts.”

“It takes your breath away,” Kreps said of the honor. “It was wonderful, and I felt very special— almost like I didn’t deserve all that.” But Kreps and each of the volunteers who are honored are more than deserving, Hogan said. With out them, countless people would go without food, school supplies, clothing and myriad other services the units provide.

As they saw the opportunity to engage their tutor ing students in further service, they worked together to make toiletry bags and fundraised $3,850 to provide a barbecue lunch for The Salvation Army Bell Shelter’s 250 veteran residents as well. As their outreach grew, they noticed something special happening: students were referring their friends and families to the program, and as a re sult, more and more of them started showing up for church services on Sundays at the corps. "It's a beautiful thing," Julia Jung said. "We can intro duce our Christianity through them [the tutors]."

Salvation Army Southwest EDS Direc tor. “[When] we had donations com ing in, she would help organize and sort and she had one of our vests on and she was helping [people] pick out things they Au-Yeungneeded.”lookedforward to helping out and volunteered the entire month that she and her classmates were at the camp shelter. “Amidst our exam season, going into the donation center and volunteering was one of the most [de-stressing] activities I could find,” Au-Yeung said. “Every afternoon after classes were over…I would drop by the donation center and see if there were any newly delivered bags ready for categoriza tion.”She’d been wanting to volunteer in the community while she was in school, and got the opportunity to do so with The Salvation Army.

“They raise money, they raise volunteers, they pro vide assistance to people who are hungry or need assistance to get to doctors,” Hogan said. “They do 100 different things, but all of them are making a dif ference in their communities.”

NFC VOLUNTEER FROM PAGE 4 what the Lord has coming down the line for the next thing, but he’ll lead us there.”

“I firmly believe we need to be saying ‘thank you’ to one and other and that we need to be celebrating good work,” Hogan said. “We want the community to know, as well, that these people are making meaning fulHogancontributions.”ishopeful that this sort of public recogni tion—the awards often lead to writeups in the local papers and events in the community—will inspire others to take up their own volunteer efforts. Ideally, friends and neighbors are encouraged to find ways to care for their community, too, just like the individ uals who are recognized.

EXTENSIONSERVICE

“New Mexico is a vast state, and we have corps throughout the state— they’re just far apart,” Kanne said, not ing that for some, the response was probably their first encounter with The Salvation Army.

“Since our arrival at Glorieta, I always wanted to give back to the displaced community through volunteering… Some people have lost their homes… and some people live in uncertainty not knowing if their shelters are still standing,” Au-Yeung said. “The only tangible and impactful thing that was within my power was to simply help in the kitchen with cooking and in the donation center sorting out donated items.”And the volunteer experience was rewarding for Au-Yeung.

A moment Au-Yeung remembers clearly was when she was unboxing Amazon packages that had arrived at the donation center. “While I was unboxing, there was an “A Gift for You” memo in one of the packages. ‘[New Mexico] is the place my heart feels most at ease. I’m sorry I cannot give more,’ this person wrote. The message warmed my heart,” she said. “With the largest wildfire raging on an unprecedented scale, I could still witness and feel the kindness and love people have for one another.”

Once the Glorieta camp shelter closed, The Salvation Army returned to the Las Vegas warehouse to con tinue its work until the job was done. Southwest EDS recently demobilized after 53 days in the field and now the focus is on Throughoutrecovery.itsefforts, The Sal vation Army served approximately 58,000 people. It distributed more than 9,500 cases of water, 40,000 hygiene items, 53,000 food boxes and 37,000 baby items, among other items. And they received the support of others along the way. In addition to Au-Yeung and the rest of the UWCUSA student volunteers, they also had the help of the New Mexico Na tional Guard and other fellow New Mexicans.“Itwasreally uplifting to see people in need also helping their neighbors,” KanneKannesaid.hopes that The Salvation Army left a lasting impact in the weeks they were in New Mexico.

“We’re just trying to help the community when it’s at its lowest…I really hope that we’ve made an impression on the communities in Northern New Mexico.”

As the tutoring program took off, the teen founders felt the need to do more in the local community. They noticed their senior neighbors at The Salvation Army

in with residential utility bills as high as $3,000$5,000—accrued from many months of service.

“We have been shocked,” Hanson said. This year, the Colorado Springs Corps actually ramped up its utility assistance efforts in January. The program originally received $280,000 in annual funding solely from Project COPE (Community Op tion to Provide Energy) through the local utility com pany. But after two years of a continuous, increasing need for utility assistance, the corps also request ed and received additional money for the program through Energy of Colorado (EOC).

“In the past, when we would run out of COPE mon ey, it wasn’t that pressing,” Hanson said. “Last year, we saw the floodgates of people wanting to come in [forThehelp].”additional EOC funding allowed the corps to hire another staff member to help process utility as sistance applications. “Just with COPE, [we] were maxed out in staffing just processing the applications,” Hanson said, not ing the time it takes to process each application.

UTILITIES FROM PAGE 1

This is the Global Strategic Plan for Foster Care Engagement: First, identify what resources your location already has available to chil dren and families in need: back-toschool supplies, clothing programs, after-school care, day camps, Vacation Bible School, food pantries or support with food instability, clothing drives or thrift stores, community meals, sum mer camp at reduced costs, spiritual support, family events, musical instruc tion, social service help with rental as sistance, transportation to and from events, character building programs— these are things that we are already doing as The Salvation Army. Some corps and community centers are doing more, and some are doing less, but we are all doing things that make a difference and could potential ly help families stay together and keep children safe, healthy and whole. Then, after we identify a list of things that our community can do to support foster and kinship care providers, we would deliberately and systematically interact with those in the child welfare system to help them to understand how we can best support their needs. As a movement, we are great at doing the good things, but we are not as great at letting the right people know that we are doing the good things. Some examples of offices or pro grams we would go to in an attempt to build these bridges and relationships would be the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS), Child Protec tive Services, Youth Probation and Ju venile Detention, and the Office of the

FOSTER CARE FROM PAGE 3 CAMPGROUND FROM PAGE 1

On July 20, The Salvation Army began assisting with food coordination and managing client ser vices with the goal to assist people who want to continue to camp with what they need as well as those who want a change. As time progressed, the Army also took on handling the processing of inkind donations at the campground as well.

Mayor and city managers. We would also research and reach out to local nonprofits who work adjacent to the foster care system. We would go to people in local gov ernments and nonprofits who are ac tively engaged in this work. For this plan to come to fruition, we would need to do things differently. We must leave our buildings. We must get out from behind our desks and enter their spaces with our uniforms on, our lists of possible support in one hand and a box of doughnuts in the other. The folks who work in this world are overworked and underpaid. If we, as strangers, just send an email or make a phone call, we will be ignored. We must be a physical presence in their lives. This is where the connec tion happens. I know it may seem over-simplified, but I have seen great success with coming through the door with an open heart, a list of available programs and a box of doughnuts. I have experienced this strategy work in my life and ministry. Third, we will set a schedule for reg ular connection and interaction with our various points of contact. Twice a year we will go to their offices, bring another box of doughnuts and remind them of what we have available. We will connect our contacts with our youth leaders, social workers and those on the front lines who would be primarily involved with impacting this change. Once a relationship has been creat ed between The Salvation Army and those in the foster care system, those frontline folks would regularly send in formation and invitations to programs, services and support networks as the calendar progresses. If we as an Army do this small step that is feasible for every officer regard less of location or resources, I firmly be lieve that we will change our country in a mighty way—and in a way that costs us nothing more than a box of dough nuts and an afternoon of our time. I daydream about walking into heav en one day 100 years from now, and Jesus introducing me to all the people who were foster kids—and because of this strategic effort, The Salvation Army became the origin of their sal vation story, too. Let’s link arms and do this together. The kingdom and our world will never be the same. NFC

“We're out there every day,” Pope said. “Our big gest challenge is going through the campground and seeing who's still there, who's not there, who moved in—getting them registered and finding out what services they need.”

Additionally, Delgado said they’ve had reunifica tions through helping to send individuals back to their families. They’ve also assisted a couple who was stranded, and helped another man get home to the village in St. Paul Island.

While The Salvation Army has helped to pro vide needed services at the campground, leaders are quick to emphasize it’s a team approach. The Municipality of Anchorage Parks and Recreation Department oversees the physical campground, and The Salvation Army is coordinating with other agencies to provide services.

One of the families that came to the McKinnell House, which provides emergency housing to fam ilies experiencing homelessness, was already able to move out because the father got a new job and secured housing, Delgado said.

Additionally, Pope said the division brought up Salvation Army California South EDS Director Nick Nguyen to develop a strategic plan, due to his ex perience with serving those experiencing homeless ness in the greater Los Angeles area.

“We're not under contract. We're not getting paid for this,” Delgado said. “We are literally living out the mission of The Salvation Army, and that's meeting human needs in his name without discrim ination.” a lot—and so as we give it out, it goes quickly,” Trim merTrimmersaid. is hopeful that the program will help peo ple in Reno get back on their feet. “We can help them get through life and their emer gency situation so…it will provide them more stabil ity in the future,” Trimmer said. “We hope to give people…that extra hand up so they can move toward self-sufficiency and better their lives.”

The efforts have resulted in individuals and fam ilies achieving permanent housing. The Salvation Army first worked to get shelter to families sleep ing in tents when it established its presence at the campground.“Thirty-two people, including four families, were transitioned into McKinnell House and [Catholic Social Services] Clare House Family Shelters, and other permanent housing yesterday. As of 5 p.m. last night there were no more children at the camp,“ said Tollerud in a statement July 22.

While several safety-related incidents caused many agencies to be concerned for their safety at the campground, The Salvation Army continued to serve, which Pope said prompted others to do the same.Pope is serving as the Incident Commander, a role traditionally assigned in a Salvation Army response to natural disasters as well as humanitarian crises. Be cause the response was unplanned and in a remote site, Pope said the EDS Incident Command System has been implemented to help manage the situation.

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Between the two funding sources, Hanson said

The Salvation Army in Colorado Springs has already seen a nearly 50 percent increase in the amount of utility assistance distributed in 2022. And the corps is on track to provide over $400,000 in utility bill payment help this year—compared to its usual $280,000.Inturn, the average payment the corps can make on behalf of clients has gone up—with a maximum of up to $1,750 annually, in rare cases. The Salvation Army in Colorado Springs is projected to help 500 families with utility assistance this year. And many of the clients are seeking utility assistance for the first“Whentime.you hit financial ruin, it hits every area of your life,” Hanson said, noting the availability of the corps’ rental assistance program in addition to its ro bust utility assistance program. “The more areas The Salvation Army can help a client out, the more likely we are to keep people in their homes.” And Hanson said they are happy to offer that help ing hand to those who need it. “We’re glad to be here,” Hanson said. “We want to serve the community.” NFC

Global Coach and Liaison for anyone in The Salvation Army who might want to replicate and integrate this movement in their locations. It became clear that Brave-specific events can feel big or overwhelming to some depending on location and re sources, so another idea was born: the Global Strategic Plan for Foster Care Engagement. The plan aims for The Sal vation Army to proactively transform our world by reaching out to foster kids and kinship care providers (biological family members who are raising kids in their extended family).

The question of “what’s next?” remains, as tent camping will not be possible as colder weather ap proaches—Anchorage’s average lows hover around 15 degrees Farenheit in the winter months. Pope said The Salvation Army is providing support to the Mu nicipality as they develop a cold weather shelter plan.

The Salvation Army in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is also offering much-needed help with utility bills.

expected to camp was low, there was initially no structure in place for managing services. Local groups began to get involved, but there was no clear point person or group, according to Alaska Divisional Secretary Captain Kevin Pope. When the municipality approached The Salvation Army to help, Alaska Divisional Commander Lt. Colonel Douglas Tollerud said, “Yes.”

“Because of the inflation and because of our local housing market, everything has gone up. We’re try ing our best [to help] in multiple different fashions,” said Colorado Springs Corps Officer Captain Doug Hanson. “With utility assistance, it’s just another practical way to help people who are in need. We’re just really looking and exploring what is the need out there. Right now, it’s financial assistance in many dif ferentHansonforms.”said they’ve regularly seen clients come

“It's been a good thing,” Pope said. “A lot of peo ple are getting helped, and people are coming out to the campground because they know they're go ing to find services there.”

Did you know your thoughts change how feel...and Be more intentional with good words from the good Word with these 20 affirmations from

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act?

The love she had for Jesus was appar ent in her words and actions. What struck me most was that she had a way of challenging my thoughts with kind ness. I remember her posing this ques tion to me: “If you want a healthy mind, you read books and study. If you want a healthy body you go to the gym and exercise. What do you do to take care of your soul?” I couldn’t answer her. When I was an atheist, I didn’t give a lot of thought to the soul. Looking back on my life, I couldn’t help but think about my bat tles with depression and the struggles I had to justify the source and cause. Could it be that I simply hadn’t had anything in my life to uplift my soul? As my faith grew, my girlfriend and I started to struggle with the churches we were attending. While the sermons were good, we didn’t feel any sense of community. My girlfriend, who had grown up in The Salvation Army, felt it was time to go back. I was pleasantly surprised. The peo ple were friendly. The Captains made us feel welcome. The church was also diverse—so different from my youth ful experiences of non-acceptance of those who were different. We couldn’t have been happier with the experience. We had found our home. My girlfriend pushed me to start attending Bible Study to help with my endless questions. I’ll never forget my first experience there. In my mind, I imagined others would look at me and know I was new to faith. I feared they would label me a phony and tell me I didn’t belong. I knew these fears were irrational, but that didn’t stop them from running through my mind. When I walked into the room, I found I was the first to arrive outside of the corps captain leading the session. To this day, I don’t think he knows what an impact his simple kindness and small talk had in easing my mind. That first session, I don’t think I said a word. Instead, I listened and absorbed. There were people in the session who I’m sure didn’t have the same opportu nities I had. But I saw and heard people who were able to speak from the heart so passionately and eloquently in a way I could not. It was an incredibly moving and eye-opening experience. It would take me a while to learn to be careful how I compared myself to others—everyone has their own, per sonal faith journey to walk. But on that day, I realized that I was a child in this new world and had a lot to learn. Since then, I feel I’ve grown a lot. Each day, I get a little bit closer to God. That our relationship grows a little stronger. Things that were very diffi cult are starting to get easier. Praying was something I really had to work at. While I’m sure everyone has their own struggles with prayer, it took me a long time to learn to speak to God from my heart. Hearing God also took practice. I’m blown away by how often I feel God speaking to me, whether by revelation in reading his Word, or by conviction or correction. I still find myself getting very emotional when I feel God working in my Therelife.are still things I struggle with. There are many times I have felt hum bled before God. Submitting to God, I find challenging. After so many years of self-reliance, I find it hard to give things up to God. Letting go of the pride I take in my own achievements will take time. I also struggle with my non-reli gious family. The person they raised and the person I have become are fundamentally different. It can leave me unsure how to act to ensure I don’t backslide into old habits when around them. As my faith grows, I find myself slowly changing. I understand better than ever the analogy of being reborn. The Bible calls for me to put off my old self (Ephesians 4:22) and to put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator (Colossians 3:10). I thank God for continuing to pur sue me in the face of my ignorance and skepticism. I’m grateful for his love and the gift of faith he saw fit to bestow on me. I’m thankful to him for giving me a wonderful partner who teaches me more about love every day. I’m thankful to him for bringing me to a wonderful church family I’m honored to be a part of. I pray that I didn’t hurt anyone in my ignorance or cause anyone to stumble in their faith. I would ask the forgive ness of those I judged and whom I met with unkind words. I pray that God gives me the strength and the opportu nity to help others who are struggling to find their way to him.

CAPTAIN RACHEL GOTRICH NOV. 4, 1925 – JULY 2, 2022 Captain Rachel Gotrich was promot ed to Glory July 2 from Hudson, Florida. Rachel “Lillan” Kristina Ljungholm was born Nov. 4, 1925, in Amal, Swe den, to Salvation Army officer parents, Brigadiers Otto and Gerda Ljungholm, the third of their four children. She graduated from high school in 1941. In 1950, Rachel was commissioned from The Salva tion Army officer training school in Stockholm, Swe den, and then held several appointments in Sweden at various corps and at the training school and Territorial Headquarters. She also served as secretary to the edi tor-in-chief of the Swedish War Cry, Stridesropet. She attended the International College for Officers in Lon don in During1963.her last corps appointment in Sweden, she began corresponding with Captain Bertil Gotrich, a recently widowed officer serving in the USA Western Territory as an evangelist. They had known each oth er when Gotrich was a young officer, as he traveled extensively in Sweden. In 1970, Rachel transferred to the Western Territory. She and Gotrich wed in 1971 and served together in two appointments: the Los Angeles Harbor Light and the Portland (Oregon) Harbor Light. The couple retired in 1980 and settled in Hudson, Florida. They attended the Pasco County/Port Richey Corps, where Rachel sang in the Songster brigade. After Bertil Gotrich was promoted to Glory in 2003, Rachel continued to live in their Hudson home until 2018, when she moved to an assisted living residence. A memorial service took place Aug. 9 at the Waynes ville (North Carolina) Salvation Army with her nephew, Captain Lars-Otto Ljungholm officiating.

McKinney was promoted to Glory while continuing to answer his call to ministry and living out his life verse: But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isa. 40:31). McKinney is survived by his wife, Roberta. His memo rial service took place July 17 at the San Jose ARC. NFC

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GOODFROMWORDSGOODTHEWORD fromAffirmationsScripture

After high school, McKinney joined the Marines, serv ing as a combat engineer, drill sergeant and Marine re cruiter. He also taught at the FBI Academy. He complet ed two tours of duty in Vietnam and received two Purple Hearts and the Silver Star. In 1985, he met his future wife, Roberta. They attended the Renton (Washington) Corps and wed Dec. 26, 1987. The couple felt called to full-time ministry in The Sal vation Army. They became envoys, serving in many ap pointments in the Western Territory, including the San Jose Corps; the San Francisco Central Corps (now the San Francisco All Nations Corps), which they began; Gateway Transitional Program for Women and Children in San Francisco; Redwood City (California) Corps; Northern California Divisional Headquarters; Denver Red Shield and as Denver County Coordinators. In post-re tirement service they were appointed to the Hawaii ARC, Las Vegas ARC and San Jose ARC.

CAPTAIN RON McKINNEY Aug. 1, 1945—June 29, 2022 Captain Ron McKinney was unex pectedly promoted to Glory June 29 from his home in San Jose, California. He had been serving post-retirement as the San Jose Adult Rehabilitation Cen ter (ARC) Business Administrator. Ronald Francis McKinney was born Aug. 1, 1945. As a child, he attended Catholic schools. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in Engineering and a Master of Busi ness Administration with a specialty in Nonprofit Man agement.

FINDING GOD FROM PAGE 4

As I recalled this answer, I found myself asking, “What would it be like to meet God?” Even as a non-believer, I could see clearly that if God existed and created all things, he would not be just a little more intelligent than us. He would be infinitely more intelligent. In my youthful ignorance I would hurl challenges at God: “If you’re there God, make yourself known.” When I didn’t hear an answer, I took that as proof of his nonexistence. But why did I think that communication would happen on my terms? Why wouldn’t it be just like what I found myself experiencing at that airport? A subtle, yet significant change in the way I felt. As I contemplated this seemingly random memory from my past, the sud den onset of peace and happiness in my mind, I found that I did believe that God had just reached out and touched my thoughts. The end result was happi ness that quickly turned into a flood of emotions and joy. I called my girlfriend to relay what happened, fighting back tears as I sat in that crowded airport. Tears that only a moment earlier I would have struggled to explain. After 37 years of not believing, one day God was there. It turned my world upside down—or right side up. So what was life like as a new believ er? In a word, confusing. In the begin ning, I struggled with my identity. After so long as a non-believer, who was I as a person of faith? Who did I want to be? All my role models in life had been either people without faith or people I looked up to despite faith. There was no one in my life who could model that good Christian man. In short, I didn’t yet know enough about Jesus to look to him in those moments. My relationship with the Word, on the other hand, grew very quickly. I de voured the gospels and Paul’s letters in the New Testament. My struggles with the Bible were mostly gone. Before I found everything to be confusing, and now I found a wealth of interesting in formation about the world. Everything was different. I couldn’t rely on my pri or knowledge to justify what I thought about anything. Everything needed to be reevaluated against the newfound knowledge of a world created with pur pose and intent. My girlfriend, while thrilled with the fact that I found God, was also a little overwhelmed with the prospect of hav ing to be my main source of answers about God and Christianity. She intro duced me to her aunt who is a retired officer in The Salvation Army. At that time, we didn’t attend The Salvation Army church. I knew absolutely nothing about it, but I couldn’t have asked for a better person to speak with. Her aunt was kind and well-spoken.

PROMOTED TO GLORY12 NEW FRONTIER CHRONICLE • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022

Captains Deanna and Quinton Markham are Salem Kroc Center Corps Officers.

The Salvation Army Sunnyvale Corps held a “Joyful Learning Academy,” six-week STEM learning camp where 120 children ages 6–14 were mentored by high school and college students in science, math, English, coding, music/performing arts and ThroughoutSpanish.the six weeks, the volunteers helped campers create projects to present on the last day of camp. “We loved seeing the children’s potential and seeing them grow over such a short amount of time,” said Corps Officer Captain Aeran Oh. “Our goal is to allow the children to try new things and hopefully open an interest within them that they can explore in adulthood or within their HAWAIIANcareer.”

STATE Sunnyvale Corps holds ‘Joyful Learning Academy’

A group from East Brook ECO Presbyterian Church in New Castle, Pennsylvania, came as missionaries and volunteers to the Haines Corps in July as part of a larger effort to help the Haines community. At the corps, the group helped remodel the fellowship and chapel rooms, including new flooring and carpet for the chapel in addition to painting throughout the facility.

Reconciliation and recovery at the Kaneohe Corps Since the easing of COVID restrictions in Hawaii, the Kaneohe Corps has had men return from the island’s rehabilitation programs. “One of the most beautiful things we have seen out of this is that their families have been coming as well,” said Corps Officer Lt. John RodriguezMercer, noting about three families have started attending. “These are families who never thought they'd be reunited, but because of the Holy Spirit in their recovery, we are seeing reconciliation between spouses and children.”

Rodriguez-Mercer said some of the new attendees are seeking to become soldiers, and they will be starting the Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) graduates' soldiership classes soon.

NEW FRONTIER CHRONICLE • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 13AROUND THE WEST

The Salem (Oregon) Kroc Center held a free life-skills program in August for teens: Next Steps. The intensive four-week program, which aimed to develop foundational skills for life after high school, included resume building, financial literacy, and job and leadership skills. At its completion, students had earned an Oregon food handlers card and CPR certification.

The Petaluma (California) Corps held its 10th annual CARe SHOW for KIDS, raising $4,500 toward school supplies for community children. The event featured 80 classic cars, live music, a tool raffle and a barbecue, as well as People’s Choice Awards; trophies were awarded in 14 different categories. Sponsors included Friedman’s Home Improvement, Gulik’s Auto Body, Boulevard Automotive, Lombardi’s Deli and Quality Printing Services.Major

Captains Kevin and Serina Woods are the Haines Corps

CASCADE Kroc Center offers ‘Next Steps’ for teens

“We have found the people to be both very loving and very appreciative,” said Corps Officer Major Julie Feist. “Our big focus is on increasing capacity of our hygiene center.”

SOUTHWEST Benson Service Extension partners for back-to-school event

GOLDENOfficer.

The Benson (Arizona) Service Extension Unit partnered with other charitable organizations to provide back to school supplies, as well as New Testament Bibles, to over 200 people who attended the Back-to-School Fair at the Benson Middle/High School. The Benson Walmart gathered donations of back-to-school items from their customers and Benson volunteers, led by Service Extension Unit Chairman Dottie Kreps, distributed at the fair. St. Vincent de Paul and the Assembly of God church offered colored pencils and crayons, among other items. Most attendees took advantage of the New Testaments offered by the Gideons.

The 13 members of the Defenders of Justice Session of cadets arrived at the Crestmont Campus Aug. 11 to begin almost two years of training to become Salvation Army officers. They represent several Western Territory divisions: California South, Del Oro, Intermountain, Northwest and Southwest.Thepublic Welcome of Cadets is Sept. 10 at the Tustin Ranch (California) Corps and also features the welcome of Colonels Eddie and Genevera Vincent, the Western Territory’s new Chief Secretary and Secretary for Women’s Ministries, respectively. Major Nigel Cross is Training Principal. NFC

ALASKA Church group makes improvements to Haines Corps

NORTHWEST ‘Getting back to our roots’ in Kalispell

AND PACIFIC ISLANDS

Divisional name change Since the inauguration of the California South Division four years ago, discussion regarding the division’s name has been ongoing. Driving this discussion was how to better communicate with the division’s external stakeholders, including the media and donors. Salvation Army leadership felt it was necessary to be consistent with the commonly used name for the geographical area: Southern California. This discussion led to a formal proposal to International Headquarters (IHQ) to change the name of the California South Division to the Southern California Division. IHQ approved, and the name change to Southern California Division will take effect Oct. 1. Lt. Colonels John and Lani Chamness are the California South divisional leaders.

CFOT Defenders of Justice arrive

ARCC Ride for Recovery in Santa Monica

The Salvation Army Vail Valley service unit (Colorado) hosted an Empty Bowls soup kitchen lunch fundraiser Aug. 5 at Battle Mountain High School. Tickets were $25 and included soup, bread and a dessert from local restaurants as well as a hand-made bowl to take home. The event also included a silent auction with items donated by local businesses. All proceeds went to support The Salvation Army Vail Valley Food Pantry. Tsu Wolin-Brown is the Service Center Coordinator for Colorado.

The Salvation Army Kalispell (Montana) Corps is turning its focus to William Booth’s initial vision to provide “Soup, Soap, Salvation” to those in need. Five days a week, the corps offers free meal distributions (breakfast and lunch), laundry services and shower facilities. Through fundraising efforts, the corps aims to expand these services, increasing the ability to provide for more people.

INTERMOUNTAIN Vail Valley hosts 13th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser

Laura Wycoff is the Petaluma Corps

The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) in Santa Monica, California, launched its first Ride for Recovery fundraiser Aug. 31 to support those struggling with homelessness and substance dependence. The fundraiser will run through the month of September, Recovery Awareness Month, and include a live event along the Santa Monica Bike Path and opportunities to participate virtually. Those involved are also encouraged to log 155 miles of biking throughout the month in remembrance of the 155 people who lose their lives to Fentanyl overdoses each day. Captains Tanya and Timothy Pemberton are Santa Monica ARC administrators.

DEL ORO Petaluma CARe SHOW for KIDS

CALIFORNIAOfficers.SOUTH

Transitional neighborhoodhousingdebuts

A new neighborhood consisting of 18 four-bedroom houses opened for struggling families in Auckland, New Zealand. By providing wrap around services, The Salvation Army aims to meet each family's needs and provide referrals to external providers when necessary. "It's about supporting those fami lies and referring them to appropriate services,” said on-site social worker Sue Iripa. "It’s also working alongside them and looking to changing some bad habits. Our program is about sta bility, it's about routine." This new neighborhood is one of three of The Salvation Army’s tran sitional housing options in New Zea land, consisting of 130 homes. NFC

But, after we had made the decision to stay from what we felt was God’s approval and desire, the war with Ukraine broke out about six months later, and we saw the need for The Salvation Army here in Vil nius more than ever. So today I say, as Mordecai said to Esther so many years ago, that our decision to stay was “for such a time as this.” NFC

This has been one of the things that has been most appreciated here in Vilnius by the refugees. An article in one of the Belarusian news sourc es states that the refugees are so grateful for the classes; they worded our relationship with them as “sincere friends.”

CANADA Thrift stores eliminate plastic checkout bags

The Salvation Army International Headquar ters continues to mobilize emergency services teams that provide food and other essential supplies to key Ukrainian cities including Lviv, Kyiv and Kharkiv. NFC

Officer shares efforts to help refugees.

To celebrate “International Plas tic Bag Free Day,” The Salvation Army in Canada permanently elimi nated plastic checkout bags at thrift stores beginning July 3. Instead, shoppers were encouraged to bring their own reusable bags or consider buying a reusable, Salvation Army “Refresh, Recycle, Restyle” bag for $1.99.“We are proud to be taking ini tiative and leading the way in our role as environmental stewards,” said Ted Troughton, Managing Director of The Salvation Army Thrift Stores National Recycling Operations in Canada. “We look forward to continue making thrift ing even greener alongside our guests and donors.” NFC

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|PHOTO COURTESY SID SALCIDO

WORLD SERVICES

Fourteen-year-old Bertie Grills, a junior soldier at Mirfield Salvation Army in West Yorkshire, England, has encouraged students to donate their old school uniforms to reduce landfill waste and provide clothing for families struggling due to the rising cost of living. Working with his school and The Salvation Army, he arranged to have donation boxes placed in several locations around town. The Salvation Army then distrib utes the donated uniforms, part nering with local charity Uniform Exchange. In its first few months, the endeavor has provided 28 families—37 children—with school uniforms.“Iwanted to take part because it’s right that everyone should have access to the correct uniform whether they can afford it or not,” Bertie said.

English language classes of about 10 students each (mostly Ukrainian, but some Belarusian), which we teach throughout the week. I teach four adult class es, and my wife, Captain Reyna Salcido, teaches two children’s classes. At the moment we are also recruiting some volunteer English teachers for two more classes, because nearly 100 Ukrainian and Be larusian refugees have signed up.

AROUND THE WORLD14 NEW FRONTIER CHRONICLE • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022

General Brian Peddle, joined by Commissioner Suresh Pawar (Interna tional Secretary for South Asia) and Captain Charles Chalrimawia, shared a video call with the young champion to celebrate."Jeremy, I have prayed and thanked God for you," General Peddle said. "Any body who pursues excellence does, in a very beautiful way, honor God. God is making you to be somebody who pursues excellence in your weightlifting and as a good soldier of Jesus. We are honored to see you and greet you today and we pray God will continue to bless you.”

Ukraine response continues The Salvation Army continues to respond to people’s needs as a result of the conflict in Ukraine. In Georgia, a children's club meets ev ery Friday, offering activities for Ukrainian young people affected by the crisis. Forty-five children and their families participated in the club, and more were expected to attend a summer camp. Recreational craft activities for domestic ref ugees have been organized in Kropyvnytskyi and Vinnytsia, Ukraine, also with the aim of helping people cope with trauma and stress.

From the front lines in Lithuania

UNITED KINGDOM Uniform exchange helps people and environment

BY SID SALCIDO, CAPTAIN Captains Sid and Reyna Salcido are Western Ter ritory officers currently serving in their fourth year as missionaries and corps planters in Vilnius, Lith uania. The Salvation Army is called to help those in very unfortunate situations, and with the war in Ukraine, many families have been displaced from their homes and forced to become refugees. Over 10,000 refu gees have come from Ukraine to Vilnius, Lithuania (to go along with another 4,000 from Belarus due to their own difficult situations with their govern ment), and my wife and I have been able to be on the front lines to help them as they come in. Many other nonprofits have come together to help, and we were able to be a part of these meet ings to discuss how we all could be a help to the refugees. Much of the help from other nonprofits happens within about a week’s time, so we at the Vilnius Salvation Army moved to be an immediate help when refugees first arrived on the scene. This was necessary since many of the families who have come (mostly women and children, due to the fact that men are asked to stay and fight with the army in Ukraine) were not able to bring necessi ties with them since they had to leave Ukraine very quickly. So, the Vilnius Salvation Army has provided not only immediate food in the way of a grocery gift card, but towels, hygiene units, pillows, blankets, sheets and other things refugees will need when they first come. We have also had the privilege to start six free

Salvationist Jeremy Lalrinnunga, 19, of Mizoram, in the India Eastern Territo ry, won gold July 31 at the Birmingham (England) 2022 Commonwealth Games in the men’s 67 kilogram category—al most 150 pounds—weightlifting final, breaking two Games records.

This certainly has been a confirmation for us be ing here, since we were asked to stay a couple of more years in Vilnius. It has been somewhat a chal lenging time for us here to find the trust among the Lithuanian community to start new programs. Trust must be gained, but to be able to start the programs and gain the trust has been a struggle because op portunities have been rejected by some groups.

The Salvation Army hosts a children's club for Ukrainian youth in Tblisi, Georgia.

|PHOTO COURTESY INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS

Salvationist wins gold at Commonwealth Games

General Brian Peddle congratulates Jeremy Lalrinnunga on his win. |PHOTO COURTESY INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS

NEW ZEALAND

Receiving the General’s congratu lations, Lalrinnunga made it clear to whom the glory belongs: “This is not my power—this is the power of Jesus Christ.” Upon returning home to India, Lalrinnunga will commence training at the Neeraj Chopra Institute of Sports for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. NFC

P&P Policies & Procedures—Territorial policy

NW Northwest Division

THECRACKINGCODE

SAWSO Salvation Army World Service Organization

TPWM Territorial President for Women’s Ministries

O&R Orders & Regulations—International policy

TSWM Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries

WMI Western Music Institute WYI Western Youth Institute

SC Silvercrest SCL Singing Company Leader

Like many groups that have been in existence for a long time, The Salvation Army has developed its own code. Often confusing to those unfamiliar with them, these abbreviations exist for ease of Withcommunication.specialattention to abbreviations used in the USA Western Territory, here is a non-exhaustive list of Salvation Army acronyms.

THQ Territorial Headquarters TMS Territorial Music Secretary

TFC Territorial Finance Council

TSP Territorial Secretary for Program

*As of October 1, the California South Division (CAS) will be the Southern California Division (SC).

TALC Territorial Administrative Leaders Conference TC Territorial Commander TEC Territorial Executive Council

TOI Territorial Officers’ Institute

TSA The Salvation Army TSB Territorial Secretary for Business

TYS Territorial Youth Secretary

ACRONYMS SEE MORE about the impact of The Salvation Army and how you can help Fight for Good today at caringmagazine.org. NEW FRONTIER CHRONICLE • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 15KNOW YOUR ARMY The language of The Salvation Army ADHS Adult Day Health Services ACS Assistant Chief Secretary AK Alaska Division ARC Adult Rehabilitation Center ARCC Adult Rehabilitation Center Command ARP Adult Rehabilitation Program ATS Addiction Treatment Services BM Bandmaster CS Cascade Division CAS California South Division* CC Commissioners’ Conference CCM Community Care Ministries CFC Command Finance Council CO Corps Officer CFOT College for Officer Training CRD Community Relations and Development CSM Corps Sergeant-Major DC Divisional Commander DHQ Divisional Headquarters DO Del Oro Division DSB Divisional Secretary for Business DSP Divisional Secretary for Program DYS Divisional Youth Secretary EDS Emergency Disaster Services FIS Family Intervention Services FTS Family Treatment Services GS Golden State Division IHQ International Headquarters IM Intermountain Division IS International Secretary HI Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division NAB National Advisory Board NAOC National Advisory Organizations Conference NHQ National Headquarters NSE National Seminar on Evangelism

OF Order of the Founder P to G Promoted to Glory

TOAC Territorial Officers Advisory Commission

POH Pathway of Hope PTM Protecting the Mission RevHi Revolution Hawaii

SL Songster Leader SW Southwest Division TEAM Teach Equip Affirm Multiply

TAC Territorial Administrative Council

TPC Territorial Program Council

TPWO Territorial President for Women’s Organization

TVAT Territorial Vision Action Team

was launched in 2014. Building on the strengths of our academic programs, exceptional faculty and staff, a clear strategy for the future and a growing student body, the successful candidate for t his position will provide essential leadership during a time of planned change and growth, in partnership with the President and as a member of the leadership team.

• PhD degree

• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain networks and partnerships to facilitate goal accomplishment;

Application materials should include: cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of faith and how your faith commitment would contribute to fulfilling the mission of Booth UC, names and contact information for three references and may be submitted in confidence to the Human Resources Generalist; Booth University College by email: BoothUC.Careers@boothuc.ca. Applications will be reviewed as received until the position is filled.

• Ability to do minimum travel in Canada; Anticipated starting date for the position is October 30, 2022.

Application materials should include: cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of faith and how your faith commitment would contribute to fulfilling the mission of Booth UC, names and contact information for three references and may be submitted in confidence to the Human Resources Generalist; Booth University College by email: BoothUC.Careers@boothuc.ca Applications will be reviewed as received until the position is filled.

• At least 7 years of senior or executive leadership experience;

Booth University College 447 Webb Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 2P2 Visit www.boothuc.ca for information on our other current employment opportunities

Vice President Academic and Dean Booth University College is a growing undergraduate Christian institution built on 30 years of excellence, offering a range of academic programs. Centrally located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Booth University Col lege reflects The Salvation Army’s deep involvement in service to the community and is committed to “Education for a Better World”. “Vision 2020: The Road to Booth University” (www.boothuc.ca/pdf/2020 Strategic Plan.pdf) was launched in 2014. Building on the strengths of our academic programs, exceptional faculty and staff, a clear strategy for the future and a growing student body, the successful candidate for this position will provide essential leadership during a time of planned change and growth, in partnership with the President and as a member of the leadership team.

• Ability to integrate your Christian faith within the workplace

Qualifications and Skills PhD degree At least 7 years of senior or executive leadership experience; Fully supportive of the integration of faith and learning in a Christian university-level setting and a commitment to the Mission of Booth University College Ability to integrate your Christian faith within the workplace Proven leader and manage with the ability to manage complex and sensitive situations;

• Fully supportive of the integration of faith and learning in a Christian university level setting and a commitment to the Mission of Booth University College

The Vice President Academic and Dean is the Chief Academic Officer and is a senior member of the leadership team The Vice President Academic and Dean works together with the President and the University College Cabinet to implement the strategic goals of Booth University College. The Vice President Academic and Dean leads, directs and manages the academic programs of the institution. In this role, the incumbent must be able to work strategically, tactically and operationally.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain networks and partnerships to facilitate goal accomplishment;

• Ability to do minimum travel in Canada; Anticipated starting date for the position is October 30, 2022.

• Working knowledge of the evangelical church in Canada, including The Salvation Army;

Interested candidates are invited to view the full job posting which in cludes details on the position responsibilities, and other additional information at https://boothuc.ca/about/employment opportunities/ Qualifications and Skills

• Satisfactory criminal record check;

• Proven leader and manage with the ability to manage complex and sensitive situations;

Vice President Academic and Dean Booth University College is a growing undergraduate Christian institution built on 30 years of excellence, offering a range of academic programs. Centrally located in Winnipeg, Mani toba, Booth University College reflects The Salvation Army s deep involvement in service to the community and is committed to Education for a Better World “Vision 2020: The Road to Booth University” (www.boothuc.ca/pdf/2020 Strategic Plan.pdf)

• Working knowledge of the evangelical church in Canada, including The Salvation Army;

The Vice President Academic and Dean is the Chief Academic Officer and is a senior member of the leadership team. The Vice President Academic and Dean works together with the President and the Uni versity College Cabinet to implement the strategic goals of Booth University College. The Vice President Academic and Dean leads, directs and manages the academic programs of the institution. In this role, the incumbent must be able to work strategically, tactically and operationally. Interested candidates are invited to view the full job posting which includes details on the position re sponsibilities, and other additional information at https://boothuc.ca/about/employment-opportunities/

BOOTH UNIVERSITY COLLEGE 447 Webb Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 2P2 Visit www.boothuc.ca for information on our other current employment opportunities

• Satisfactory criminal record check;

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