Seeing Is Believing, But Feeling Is Truth
My role at The Salvation Army Central Territory is to provide support for the officers and employees working in divisions and corps throughout the Midwest. They are the trailblazing, roll-up-their-sleeves, love thy neighbor, hardworking folks who use their creativity and limited resources to move mountains and provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support for people in need. All of this is accomplished while loving like Jesus.
The stories they share about our clients inspire me to do my best work. But there are times when you need to see something firsthand to strengthen your resolve and renew your commitment. For that reason, I was excited to visit both The Freedom Center, and Shield of Hope, in Chicago’s West Humboldt Park neighborhood. It was a chance to learn more about our services and peek behind the scenes. What a great way to fill my emotional tank and fuel my passion!
The Freedom Center is a 6-acre campus that offers solutions to some of the biggest societal issues and challenges faced today including addiction, crime, homelessness, violence prevention and unemployment. The Salvation Army Corps Community Center anchors the campus and offers a variety of important programs. Educational, recreational, arts, social services, Sunday worship, and after-school and summer programs for youth offer positive alternatives to gangs and drugs, while uplifting local adults and seniors. This results in a safer community.
While touring the building, it was evident the staff felt passionately about their job and the people they serve. The rooms and walkways were filled with positive images and messages. They spoke with compassion and joy when sharing information about the daily work they do. It was a good reminder that great things are accomplished through a series of small things. In this case, the outcomes were life-altering. I felt blessed to be standing in such a special place.
Our group of 20+ visitors was welcomed and introduced as “family,” each time we encountered someone in the hallway. With deep appreciation for the assistance they receive, several clients felt moved to share their testimonies with us and give thanks to God for establishing this refuge. It was humbling to meet those who are benefiting and taking steps towards a better life.
Then we walked across the street to visit Shield of Hope, a unique partnership formed between The Salvation Army and the city of Chicago. It’s the nation’s first emergency homeless assessment and rapid-response center (EHARC). Since March 2018, families facing homelessness, including men and teenage boys, are allowed to remain together and receive their own, personalized care plan that includes health, housing, employment, education, and life skills training.
Shield of Hope is an integral part of the city’s network that serves some of the most vulnerable residents. This is where families come to find temporary assistance and a sustainable pathway that will lead them to a better future. They just need to put their best foot forward and trust the process.
My heart skipped a beat when two preschool-aged girls stepped out of a room and walked towards the elevator with their backpacks in hand. Their dad followed behind and gave our group an awkward smile. In that moment I thought, “There before the grace of God go I.”
I wanted to tell him that his misfortune could easily have been mine if it wasn’t for God’s blessing and the outside factors that played a role in my life. Reassure him that wonderful things are ahead, and he should remain hopeful. So many possibilities exist for his beautiful family. Like a stone thrown into a pond, The Salvation Army services and programs will put into motion things that can lead them all to places, people, and opportunities that he can’t even imagine. Now I’ve seen it with my own eyes.
Patricia Sims is the Territorial Media & Content Director at The Salvation Army USA Central Territory. To learn more about the programs and services we offer in the Midwest, visit our website. Or click to learn about donor and volunteer opportunities.