BE AN ANGEL IN HIS NAME A Special Supplement from phoenixWoman and The Salvation Army
phoenixWoman
TM
“FOCUSED, FUN AND FIERCELY LOCAL.”
MISSION STATEMENT THE SALVATION ARMY, AN INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT, IS AN EVANGELICAL PART OF THE UNIVERSAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH. ITS MESSAGE IS BASED ON THE BIBLE. ITS MINISTRY IS MOTIVATED BY THE LOVE OF GOD. ITS MISSION IS TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST AND TO MEET HUMAN NEEDS IN HIS NAME WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION.
Lt. Cols. Doug and Rhode Danielson
A MESSAGE FROM THE DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF WOMEN’S MINISTRIES When Phoenix Woman approached us to be a part of this special supplement, it was a logical partnership. The Salvation Army is well known in the community for its programs, social services and red kettle campaign that take place during the holiday season. I am excited to share information with you not only about our holiday programs, but also the variety of programs that we offer throughout the year. Here in Phoenix, The Salvation Army offers many programs geared toward empowering the lives of women. At our South Mountain Community Center, our girls’ volleyball team is dedicated to promoting the prevention of teen pregnancy. The program serves more than 100 young women a year and seeks to provide tools to help them grow into powerful, capable, and accomplished women. Our domestic violence shelter offers respite and aid for women and their children. Finally, our Kaiser Family Homeless Shelter, Emergency Assistance Program and Christmas Angel Program help women in crisis and support their efforts at improving their lives. The Salvation Army knows the importance of empowering women in our community and in the workplace. Our Women’s Ministries provide Christian fellowship and practical help that will benefit not only the individual and her family, but also her community. This program binds women together to promote the collaboration necessary to meet the needs and interests of women of all ages. Though William Booth founded The Salvation Army, he would have found it difficult to accomplish this task without the strength, love, and support of his wife Catherine. Today, women still play a crucial role in making The Salvation Army a successful non-profit enterprise by fulfilling many crucial roles. Every day, thousands of women continue to faithfully serve the Lord in Salvation Army ministries worldwide, and are striving continuously to live out our motto of “Doing the Most Good,” echoing the words of our founder: “While women weep, as they do now, I’ll fight; While children go hungry, as they do now, I’ll fight; While men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight; While there is a drunkard left, While there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, While there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I’ll fight, I’ll fight to the very end!” I hope you find inspiration through the Kaiser Family graduate success story. We invite you to interact with any one of our many programs.You can be secure in the knowledge that your donation of time and money are daily making a difference in the lives of women and their families. Sincerely yours, Rhode Danielson, Lt. Colonel Southwest Division
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WOMEN’S HEALTH EXTRA
HISTORY OF THE SALVATION ARMY Taken from The Salvation Army’s Western Territory’s “Come Join Our Army”
In 1865, William Booth—an ordained Methodist minister—aided by his wife Catherine, formed an evangelical group dedicated to preaching to the unchurched people living in the midst of appalling poverty in London, England. Booth’s ministry recognized the interdependence of material, emotional and spiritual needs. In addition to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, Booth became involved in feeding and sheltering the hungry and homeless, and in rehabilitating alcoholics. The Salvation Army has functioned successfully within this structure for more than a century. Their work began in America in 1880, when they opened a corps community center in New York. As of 2009, their outreach has expanded to include 118 countries and 175 languages. The basic social services programs developed by William Booth have remained a visible expression of The Salvation Army’s strong religious principle. In addition, new programs that address contemporary needs have been established. Among these are disaster relief services, day care centers, summer camps, holiday assistance, services for the aging, AIDS education and residential services, medical facilities, shelter for battered women and children, family and career counseling, vocational training, correctional services and substance abuse rehabilitation. Operations of The Salvation Army are supervised by trained, commissioned officers who proclaim the gospel and serve as administrators, teachers, social workers, counselors, youth leaders and musicians. These men and women have dedicated their lives, skills and service completely to the mission of The Salvation Army.
For administrative purposes, the nation is divided into four territories: Central, Eastern, Southern and Western. Territories are made up of units known as divisions. There are 40 in the U.S. and each is headed by a divisional commander. Divisions consist of corps centers for worship and services, which are the basic units of The Salvation Army, and various specialized centers. The functions of each corps include religious and social services which are adapted to local needs.
William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has been in Phoenix, the site of the Southwest Divisional Headquarters, since 1893. Over the past 114 years, The Salvation Army has expanded to offer 13 corps community centers throughout the Valley of the Sun and a variety of social services programs to the community. These programs include Emergency Assistance Programs, Elim House Domestic Violence Shelter, Kaiser Family Homeless Shelter, Project HOPE, homeless outreach, youth and senior programming, holiday programs and various fellowship opportunities. In the U.S., The Salvation Army serves approximately 42 million people through the donations of individuals, foundations and corporations. During the holidays, The Salvation Army’s program reaches out to more than 6 million people.
“THE GREAT MESSAGE OF THE SALVATION ARMY OF THE PAST TO THE SALVATION ARMY OF THE FUTURE IS THIS: THAT IT EXISTS FOR THE WHOLE WORLD.” -Gen. Bramwell Booth
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TRAVELING DOWN A ROCKY ROAD TO
SUCCESS Michelle’s Story by Melissa Axman
Defeat, slammed doors, fear and ultimately triumph are words that describe the experience of Michelle and her family. In December 2006, Michelle and her husband—in search of better health and security—made plans to transition from Albany, N.Y. to Phoenix. They took six months to coordinate a plan, and with a child in tow, the move held high hopes and a sunny new future for the family. Phoenix had a warmer climate that would help suppress the symptoms of Michelle’s arthritis, and the chance at a new job with a local non-profit. With the verbal commitment from her potential new organization to commence work upon her arrival, the move was set for June 2007. Michelle and her family arrived the day before her final interview. But within the first few minutes of her interview, she sensed that something was not right. She was asked to fill out paperwork that she had already completed, and the receptionist was frantically shuffling papers. Then she sent Michelle to the lab for a urinalysis. While driving, Michelle received a call to come back to the office immediately. With the chance to finally put names to the faces of the people who had repeatedly interviewed her over the phone, she was told that there had been a mistake. Instead of a job offer, she was told that after careful consideration of her felonious background they could not hire her. Michelle was immediately escorted off campus. In a matter of moments, the family’s well thought-out plan was crumbling around them. Michelle’s poor decisions, made more than 20 years ago, had caught up with her at a moment when she least expected it. She was now jobless, thousands of miles from home and scared. Within a few short weeks, their hard earned savings quickly disappeared. Gripping fears of being homeless were looming over the family. Michelle and her husband, Albie, sat up at night weighing their options. Both Michelle and Albie had worked for social service industries back in New York, so she couldn’t believe it when Albie suggested they find the local Salvation Army, and was even more bewildered once she realized he was right. Becoming a recipient of a charitable organization was now their only option. Thankfully, with a bit of research they found a Salvation Army social service office close to the hotel where they were staying. Upon arrival, the receptionist introduced the family to John Landrum with Project HOPE: Homeless Outreach to Place and Empower. The Salvation Army’s Project HOPE program provides mobile outreach to homeless families and individuals. With a staff of five, the program utilizes the streets and parks to reach out to the homeless in an attempt to encourage them to come in for case management. Michelle told John their story and expressed her fear that they only had their hotel room for one more night. John left to make a few phone calls to see how he could help out the family. As they waited, they were given a Denny’s gift card and a gas card. They could only hope that The Salvation Army would be able to assist them with feeding their child and help provide shelter in the sweltering heat. John told them that he was going to take them back to meet with a case worker at The Salvation Army’s Kaiser Family Homeless Shelter. Michelle and her husband looked at each other, both wondering how they had gone from having a home, friend network and good paying jobs to potentially moving into a homeless shelter.
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HANDS OF A
“THE SALVATION ARMY GAVE ME AND MY FAMILY AN
DEDICATED VOLUNTEER
AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO STABILIZE OUR LIVES.”
ARLENE DOWNING by Melissa Axman
(from left) Michelle and Soja; Michelle enjoys a good laugh; Albie and Soja
Michelle, Albie and Soja were welcomed by the shelter front desk staff. Although the staff was friendly and things seemed to be going in the right direction, Michelle could not shake the feeling that rejection was soon to come. After filling out the proper intake information, they met with their case worker, Roseann. “She listened to our story with an open mind. She maintained an air of professionalism, empathy, and compassion,” says Michelle. And after Roseann qualified the family for the program, she explained to Michelle that their stay would be a “partnership” between her family and the staff at the shelter. Over the next few hours, Michelle and her family were given a tour of the facility and had the program requirements explained to them. Families are required to gain employment within the first two weeks of the shelter, 60 percent of all income earned during their stay must be saved, and families have to be in the shelter by curfew. Roseann also showed them the amenities of the shelter such as the computer lab, clothing closet, snack room and available toiletries. Over the next three months the family was provided with three meals a day, shelter, family counseling and case management. The goal of the program is to empower families, and help them develop the knowledge, skills and resources to maintain a stable lifestyle once they exit the program. “The Salvation Army gave me and my family an amazing opportunity to stabilize our lives,” Michelle says. “We attended all counseling sessions, made sure our chores were done and followed the plan our case worker outlined for us. We wanted to utilize the gift we had been given.” As a family shelter, the program focuses on providing services for the entire family. Their son, Soja, participated in the shelter’s activity program while his parents were at work. The activities department focuses on offering fun and structured activities for children. “These children are experiencing a traumatic time in their lives and the center wants to make their time at the shelter a positive one,” says Roseann. When it was time for Soja to enroll in school, he went back with children at the shelter and was comforted by the knowledge that they were going through the same situation. “When Soja thinks about our stay at the shelter, he is not flooded with negative thoughts; instead, he thinks of the supportive staff and the friendships he made,” says Michelle. Michelle and her family resided in the shelter for 90 days. During their stay, both she and her husband found jobs in the social service industry. Albie was able to go back to New York to tie up loose ends and complete their move to Phoenix. Upon graduation from the program, the family saved enough money to move into a comfortable apartment in Glendale. The Kaiser Family Shelter provided them with the tools and resources to get back on the path for a better future in Phoenix. Michelle now serves on the Kaiser Family Center’s board of successful graduates. She works with staff, Salvation Army Advisory Board members and fellow graduates to improve the program and share their success stories with the community. When asked what advice she would pass on to clients regarding the shelter, she answers, “Stay! If you are ready for change, The Kaiser Family Shelter will get your life back in order.” For more information about The Kaiser Family Shelter, call 602.267.4130.
In the hearts of children across the Valley, there lies a holiday wish for that special toy, a puppy, and perhaps some Hot Wheels cars. However, for thousands of children, their wishes for presents and the perfect holiday meal are not heard by Santa—they are heard by Arlene Downing. Downing has spent the last 19 years passing along the silent wishes of more than 76,000 angels. As the Christmas Angel Tag Coordinator, she oversees the tag writing process by reviewing, writing and perfecting each angel tag. “Christmas has always been a good time in my life,” says Downing. “I want to do my part to make this program special for the donors and the children. Writing on the tags instead of printing on them gives it that extra special touch.” Downing began to write tags on Oct. 12 and will finish her project the day before Thanksgiving. In 45 days, Downing does her part in making the wishes of more than 46,000 angels come true.
The Salvation Army’s
Angel Tree Program provides new clothing and/or toys for children. A sponsoring company or corporation places a Christmas tree in a secure, high-pedestrian traffic area or lobby. The tree is decorated with numbered paper angel tags with the first name, age and gender of a child who will receive the gift. Contributors remove one or more tags from the tree and purchase appropriate gifts for the child or children described on the tags. The toys are then delivered to the unit and later picked up by the parent to distribute to the child/children on Christmas Day. Learn more at: www.salvationarmycares.org
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(left) Majs. Duke and Pam Markham and Christina Arnold promoting the Christmas Angel Program
ELIM HOUSE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
SHELTER CHRISTMAS ANGEL PROGRAM Meeting the Needs of Arizona’s Littlest Community Members by Blanca Esparza
During the holiday season, Salvation Army units across the nation host Christmas Angel Toy drives. Here in Phoenix, in partnership with 3TV, The Salvation Army hosts one of the largest drives in the nation. Throughout the Valley, the community donates approximately 150,000 toys each year. The Arizona’s Family Christmas Angel program was pioneered in 1986 as a partnership between The Salvation Army and the local television station 3TV. The program began in what is now known as Christown Spectrum Mall in Phoenix. The pilot year was extremely successful, assisting 3,200 children. Now, more than 20 years later, the program has expanded to 10 malls in the Valley, and one in Prescott, and serves more than 46,500 underprivileged children each holiday season. Since 1986, the community has generously donated more than one million toys for approximately 500,000 underprivileged children, bringing the Christmas spirit into their homes. In late September, The Salvation Army begins Christmas Angel registration. Children are signed up as Angels through their school or during an open registration that takes place at Salvation Army units throughout the Valley. The program services infants to children up to 12 years old. As part of the program, each angel receives two toys, and their family gets a food box or food voucher. In 2008, as a result of the generosity of our community, 45,556 children from 10,753 families were able to participate in holiday traditions such as receiving gifts and having a special holiday meal. Christmas Angel Trees can be found at various Westcor shopping centers and the Arizona Mills Mall. Donors can participate in the program by choosing a tag from one of the trees and returning the gift to the Christmas Angel booth during mall hours. The 2009 Christmas Angel Program will run from Friday, Nov. 20 through Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009. During that time, 3TV will promote the Christmas Angel program in all of their news programs going live from Christmas Angel locations throughout the Valley. Each holiday season, 3TV donates more than $1 million worth of in-kind promotion to support the program. The Christmas Angel program survives on the vital support of the community. More than 5,000 volunteers are needed to run the program. Volunteer opportunities include manning the Christmas Angel booths, writing Angel tags, and sorting and distributing toys. Last year, more than 5,000 volunteers donated roughly 20,100 hours to the program. For more information on volunteering for the Christmas Angel Program, contact Danielle Moore at 602.267.4289 or Danille.Moore@usw.salvationarmy.org. Volunteers can register for volunteer opportunities at htttp://phoenixsa.volunteerfirst.org. If not for this program, many Arizona children would wake up on Christmas morning with little or nothing under the tree. As families struggle with the effects of a down economy, the Christmas Angel program will need to serve more members of Arizona’s family. The Salvation Army and 3TV will look to the community to continue their generous spirit of giving to ensure that this holiday season is merry and bright for the littlest members of Arizona’s Family. For more information about the Christmas Angel Program, visit The Salvation Army’s website at www.salvationarmycares.org or www.azfamily.com/community.
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Empowering Women’s Lives by Jessye Johnson Domestic Violence is a real and common problem facing our community, and The Salvation Army hears the voices of hundreds of women who are victims. The Elim House Domestic Violence Shelter provides a safe haven for these women and their children. The Elim House program houses women from approximately 30 to 120 days. In addition to shelter and meals, women and children residing at Elim House have access to transportation assistance, parenting and empowerment classes, group and individual counseling, legal advocacy, and education and recreational activities. Children are provided with a variety of age appropriate activities. In offering these opportunities to the survivors of domestic violence, both women and children have the chance to construct full, successful, non-violent lives. The Elim House outlines a series of interventions that are designed to provide domestic violence survivors with the information and planning resources they need to stay safe during their time in the shelter and, more importantly, after leaving the shelter. The initial 72 hours for a woman and her children are crucial to their safety as well as the Elim House staff’s ability to effectively work with her. The women who stay the full program length at Elim House are more likely to stay away from their abusers and exercise healthier choices for themselves and their children. Elim House focuses on providing a holistic, therapeutic environment where survivors of domestic violence can begin to heal, recognize broader choices and life options, and maintain a non-violent way of life. The program recognizes that healing best occurs within an environment that empowers women and thus, their children. In line with this philosophy, the program celebrates every individual’s strengths, and her needs are examined within a context of choice-making and personal responsibility. For more information on the program, contact Elim House at 602.267.4111 or toll free at 888.267.0197.
(from left) Christmas Dinner Volunteers; Phoenix Fire Fighter’s Bell Ringing Event; Enjoying Thanksgiving Dinner
SERVICES PROVIDED Homeless Programs: Kaiser Family Homeless Shelter provides temporary housing for up to 120 days for homeless families. Families Served: 420 Case Management Sessions: 3,341 Bed Nights provided: 36,159 Meals Served: 49,228 Project HOPE (Homeless Outreach to Place and Empower) provides mobile outreach for the area’s homeless to offer case management, food, water and clothing. Clients Served: 9,401 Permanent Job Placement: 96 Provided Individual Lodging: 442 Clients Transported: 724 Senior Services: At the Laura Danieli Senior Center, services and programs such as congregate meals, home delivered meals, transportation services for shopping and medical appointments and social/recreational activities are available. Congregate Meals Served: 12,776 Homebound Meals Delivered: 29,996 Special Events Hosted: 222 Seniors Attending Events: 1,178
REVENUES
BY THE SALVATION ARMY Public Contributions Associated Organization Revenue Government Grants and Fees Valley of the Sun United Way Trusts and Endowments Program Service Fees Other Income Rehabilitative Services Senior Housing
$3,330,603 $3,079,094 $987,409 $643,767 $799,597 $380,889 $23,445 $6,901,977 $1,311,612
Total Income
$17,458,394
Expenses Corps Programs Residential Services Social Services Administration Fund Raising Rehabilitative Services Senior Housing
$2,668,345 $2,436,644 $4,032,496 $342,552 $340,445 $6,901,977 $1,333,721
Total Expenses
$18,056,180
Current Surplus (Deficit) Prior Surplus (Deficit) Accumulated Surplus (Deficit)
($597,786) $1,112,996 $515,210
Emergency Assistance: The Salvation Army Phoenix Social Service office offers services for families and individuals combating financial crisis. Clients Served: 2,000 Food Boxes Distributed: 843 Utilities Bills Paid: 641 Community Referrals Provided: 23,140 Domestic Violence Shelter: Elim House is a 120 day program that provides aid and counsel to domestic violence survivors and their children. Cases managed: 229 Women and children assisted: 748 Meals served: 9,756 Bed nights provided: 12,578
Celebrating the Holidays Holiday dinners are provided on both Thanksgiving and Christmas, to homeless and less fortunate members of our community. Holiday Dinners: Meals served: 6,210; Meals delivered: 3,069 Number of volunteers: 3,000 For more information on these programs, contact The Salvation Army at 602.267.4100, or visit www.salvationarmycares.org.
American Express is proud of its continued partnership with The Salvation Army. Through ongoing volunteer activities, the Pack to School and Holiday drives, sponsorships and philanthropic giving, we strive to help The Salvation Army make our community a great place to live and work. A sincere thanks goes to The Salvation Army for their dedication to serving those in need.
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BE AN ANGEL IN HIS NAME
THE SALVATION ARMY
CHRISTMAS ANGELS For more information on this and other programs, contact The Salvation Army of Greater Phoenix at 602.263.8856, or email: amy.lopez@usw.salvationarmy.org www.salvationarmycares.org