I Was Deaf, and You Heard My Cries for Help
My name is Chris. As a homeless teenager, I went from group home to group home. It never lasted long because no one could communicate with me or help with my problems. And I always ended up losing my temper.
When you have emotional issues, life is hard enough. But when you’re deaf and nobody around you knows sign language, it’s so much more difficult.
I felt stuck. It was so depressing. But all that began to change when I went to The Salvation Army. I was 22.
I could tell they really cared, but because they didn’t have an interpreter, there were communication problems. I still had outbursts, and sometimes they had to remove me from the building. I was out of control.
On September 15, 2013, The Salvation Army in Rome, GA celebrated 126 years of service in the city.
It was a day full of worship, music, laughter, stories, and shared memories. The special guests for the Sunday were Majors Jim and Becky Smith (R). Majors Smith were officers in Rome, GA over 35 years ago.Major Becky shared some of her memories of the work in Rome and also shared with us the Word of God. Major Jim preached a sermon from 2 Timothy 3. He challenged the audience to “Keep On, Keeping On!”
An added bonus to the day was the visit of our new divisional youth leaders, Captains Matt and Jamie Satterlee, with their girls. The Satterlees led the Sunday School preliminaries and taught a combined Children’s Sunday School class. Using the classic Mr. Potato Head, the Satterlees showed the children in Rome how we are all part of one body, but we are many parts. “Each part is important and necessary,” said Captain Jamie Satterlee. The Satterlees reminded the kids that they were going to be part of what The Salvation Army will be doing in the future!
Captain Douglas McClure (corps officer) had this to say about the weekend: “Storm and I have been very honored to serve with the corps family in Rome, GA for the past year. Even though this corps is celebrating 126 years of service, they have not retired. We are still doing monthly open airs, children’s evangelism meetings, family outreach programs, and sharing the Word of God with everyone they come in contact with! They are Doing the Most Good!” Captains Douglas and Storm McClure were also able to recognize Irene Roberson for her many faithful years of service to The Salvation Army in Rome. Ms. Roberson recently retired as the corps sergeant major of the Rome corps after many, many years in serving the people and families of the corps. Ms. Roberson still teaches the Adult Sunday School class and helps with the morning Home League. She is a wonderful treasure and a valued asset to our corps.
The meeting also included a performance of the Rome Singing Company under the leadership of Paula Blevins. They sang the “Follow Medley” from the children’s musical, “Fish Tales.” The singing company has doubled in size over the last program year. This group recently performed at the divisional music and arts festival in May.
Lend a Helping Hand
We couldn’t do our work without the help of dedicated volunteers. They’re essential to our programs and the care we provide. We’re always grateful when friends can lend a hand!
Here are some ideas:
No matter your age or skill set, we can use your help, even for just an hour here or there. Learn how you can volunteer in your community!
Please visitwww.salvationarmy-georgia.org to locate services available in your community.
‘I Missed Having My Own Bed!’
I never thought I’d take something like my bed for granted, but when I was 12, something happened that changed my perspective on everything: My family became homeless.
We had just made a cross-country move only to learn upon arrival that all the plans had fallen apart. We didn’t have enough money for even one bus ticket back home, and we spent that first night in the bus station.
All through my teen years, we usually stayed in shelters, and I often crashed at my friends’ houses — “couch surfing” at a different place every night.
How the Army Helped Me
When I was 15, I started working in the food pantry at The Salvation Army. The basketball coach at their youth center got me to come out for the team. He became a real friend and mentor, and helped me through some really tough times, especially when my mom got cancer. He helped me get my diploma and, when I was 20, he got me a basketball scholarship at a small college. When I arrived there, I was excited about my future, but the thing that thrilled me most was having a regular place to sleep every night. For the first time in eight years, I had my own bed!
But it wouldn’t have happened without the help of The Salvation Army, and people like you who give so generously. Thank you so much for your compassion!
To help children like Robert here in Georgia, please visitwww.salvationarmy-georgia.org to locate services available in your community.
Source: 2012 story contest.
How You Helped a Homeless Father of Four
Jim was desperate. He’d recently lost his job of 10 years when the company went out of business. His car wouldn’t run. His bank was pressuring him for a mortgage payment he couldn’t make. And he had four children to feed.
At the end of his rope and with nowhere to turn, Jim called The Salvation Army and asked for help.
‘I Can’t Believe All the Things She Helped With’
A caseworker immediately got on the job, providing food and meeting other needs for Jim and his family. She helped him work with his bank to defer mortgage payments for six months and refinance at a lower rate. And she helped him keep health care coverage for his family, easing one of his greatest worries. “I can’t believe all the things she helped with,” says Jim.
Today, Jim is working full-time again, well on his way to regaining his financial footing. But just as importantly, thanks to your faithful gifts to The Salvation Army, a once desperate man now feels hope again for the future.
“I never thought I would need help from The Salvation Army,” says Jim, “but they were there for us when the bottom fell out.”
To help others like Jim here in Georgia, please visit www.salvationarmy-georgia.org to locate services available in your community.
Source: “Others” newsletter from Syracuse TSA.
Georgia Power was recently recognized by The Salvation Army for its work with the Project SHARE program, an emergency assistance fund specifically for residents of Georgia. The company received the award last week at the National Energy & Utility Affordability Conference in San Diego.
Created in partnership with The Salvation Army in 1985, Project SHARE was one of the first fuel funds in America. Since its inception, more than one million Georgians have benefitted from the program which helps residents in need of emergency assistance with expenses such as utility bills, housing and even medical necessities.
Since 1985, Georgia Power and its customers have contributed more than $60 million to the program with all customer donations matched dollar for dollar by the company. The program is highly localized, with funds allocated back to residents within the county from which they are contributed.
“We are especially proud to be recognized for our longstanding partnership with the Salvation Army Georgia Division,” said Paul Bowers, president and CEO of Georgia Power. “We believe in giving back to the communities we serve – it is essential that, as corporate citizens, we engage to help make our state a better place to live, work and grow opportunities.”
Project SHARE is nationally recognized as one of the earliest, best and most effective models for funding assistance and is often cited as a model for both utility companies and assistance agencies.
“Project SHARE fundamentally changed the foundation of social services for The Salvation Army in Georgia,” noted Major Jim Arrowood, Georgia Divisional Commander, The Salvation Army. “Because of this program, along with our generous donors and partners like Georgia Power, we are able to provide assistance to over 292,165 men, women and children each year throughout the state of Georgia. We are grateful that our Project SHARE partnership with Georgia Power remains as strong today as when we began the program together almost thirty years ago.”
Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation’s largest generators of electricity. The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility with rates well below the national average. Georgia Power serves 2.4 million customers in all but four of Georgia’s 159 counties.
Director of the Boys & Girls community center Kenneth Fields talks to children about how they are expected to behave.
By Kendra Etheridge
The Salvation Army of Griffin, GA helped bring the school year to a close May 22 with an end of the school year bash, which was directed at children ages 6-14.
The event was a culmination of the Salvation Army Community Boys and Girls after-school program, as well as a celebration of the end-of-the-school year. Also, the event introduced vacation bible school to the young attendees.
The after school program at the Salvation Army services about 45 young children. In regards to the after school program, Salvation Army Corps commanding officer, Jack Butler says, “The after school program is a vital part of this community, helping young people who otherwise have nowhere to go after school.”
Reclaiming Lost Joy: Bringing Help and Hope
A child’s days should be filled with play, laughter, and joy. Imagination should run wild.
But for young Megan, childhood has been anything but those things. Instead, she has known mostly fear, darkness, and pain. Dreams were shattered. That’s what abuse does to a child. That’s what Megan’s stepfather, a drug addict, did to her. And she was desperate to escape.
While visiting an older sister, Megan told her story and begged for a safe place to live. They visited The Salvation Army, which immediately went to work, helping Megan through her pain and helping her sister gain full custody.
Thanks to the gifts and prayers of faithful supporters like you, Megan is now doing very well — far away from an abusive situation and now thriving on the joys of life. Just like a little girl should.
To help children like Megan here in Georgia, please visit www.salvationarmy-georgia.org to locate services available in your community.
Source: “Others” newsletter from Syracuse TSA.
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