Employment Help: Single Mom Living in Car Finds Pathway of Hope
Thanks to your donations, a single mother named Alyssa has found hope.
Two years ago, life could not have been harder for Alyssa and her young son. They had just moved into an apartment of their own after Alyssa had secured a good job – only to lose both when the pandemic hit.
“The timing couldn’t have been worse,” Alyssa said. “People don’t imagine themselves ever being homeless, but it can happen to anyone.”
Alyssa and her son were forced to spend their nights in Alyssa’s car. Desperate for help, Alyssa contacted The Salvation Army and received food and gas cards to get by. She had been to The Salvation Army before, having previously visited for help with food and utility bills, plus Christmas gifts for her son through our partnership with a local foundation.
After learning about Alyssa’s grim situation, a Salvation Army case worker named Kristy suggested that Alyssa enroll in Pathway of Hope, a long-term mentoring program that provides encouragement, structure and resources for families facing hardship. Participants set their own goals and meet regularly with Salvation Army case workers to stay on track.
Alyssa enrolled in Pathway of Hope immediately. With Kristy’s help, Alyssa was able to:
- Create a resumé, sharpen her interviewing skills, and secure a good job at a local church
- Get an eviction expunged from her rental history
- Find a new apartment, thanks in part to recommendation letters written by Kristy
- Secure a laptop and internet service
- Begin working on completing her GED
Today, Alyssa is on the path to success. She is grateful for the help she has received from The Salvation Army and our supporters.
“I’m not sure where I’d be now if it weren’t for The Salvation Army,” Alyssa said. “Their support and encouragement has given me hope for what lies ahead.”
Employment is a key ingredient to overcoming poverty. Your gift to The Salvation Army today can help others, like Alyssa, enroll in the Pathway of Hope program and secure a steady job.
Employment Assistance
We provide confidential, professional assistance to individuals looking for temporary and permanent employment through our community centers and partner organizations in the Midwest. Our goal is their goal - identifying skillsets, providing a supportive environment, and securing job leads. If you need help with finding employment, connect with your local Salvation Army.
Pathway of Hope
Pathway of Hope is a holistic Salvation Army approach to create a path out of poverty. We provide targeted services to families with children under the age of 18, both traditional and non-traditional family structures, that desire to break the cycle of crisis. Through case management, we focus on a family's capabilities and raise hope by empowering them to overcome barriers on the path to self-sufficiency. Families set their own goals, and we partner with them to provide the resources needed to accomplish each one. This program is available at every Salvation Army Worship and Service Center in the Midwest.