DOING
THE MOST GOOD
Inside This Issue:
➤ Words of
Encouragement
page 2
➤ Hope confronts
Tragedy
page 3
➤ On the Blvd. of
Broken Dreams
page 4
hese are hollow words to thousands of downand-out mothers living in flea-bag hotels or on dirty city sidewalks. It’s heart-breaking, but women and children are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population in our nation. Many are victims of domestic violence… fleeing the abuse in their homes only to be confronted with the harsh realities of life on the street. These are mothers struggling to find food and safe shelter for their families. Overwhelmed with concern for the wellbeing of their children, many suffer from severe depression and anxiety. For most, the future looks bleak. But there is a God who cares for these lost families with a fierce love! The Salvation Army has been commissioned by Him to share His compassion… providing healing in the present… and hope for the future. We open our arms… and our doors to women in need. Providing peace, encouragement and shelter from the storm. Last year alone, over 30,000
“Happy Mother’s Day”... T
women and children were helped in our area. People like Lillian and her family – read her incredible story on page 3. And God uses people like you, too. Our shelters and programs, offering tangible expressions of grace and restoration, would not be possible without your support. This Mother’s Day, remember the blessings you received from you mother… and then be a blessing to another mother in desperate need. “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, undisturbed places of rest.”
— ISAIAH 32:18
Phone: 213-896-9160 • Web: www.salvationarmysocal.org
1
Words of Encouragement…
The a child, how remember as “I r Christmas Army made ou “I sal Salvation us kids. The h Salva ute T e ll eight of for a ht boxes of tion A n Army broug rmy f rescui use Salvatio o ts to our ho ng a hing and gif youn r – clot in the g ma e Christmas la just befor gotten wond te 1920s. T n in seriou er to be for he erful o a nev s ur part! fficers Salvation trouble bac the go esture on yo g k Arm mu od good world work they st be comm y and its Keep up the .Ia ha en work.” they c m a small ve done aro ded for all und t are for exam Phyllis
Leroy
“At the age of 12, The Salvation Arm y sent me an d my sister to sum mer camp at Star Lake. I am re tired now, bu tI will always re member that experience a s it is the on ly time I ever g ot to go to camp.” John
ple the un fortun of how ate.”
he
“In the late ed a 30s, you help need young man in forgot and he never in 1943 it. I met him ed at Geiger e was station while h orps. We e Army Air C Field in th 0 years, 4 married for 4 e were he went hom 12 days, then months and e Lord.” to be with th Elaine
“There is no reward equal to that of doing the most good to the most people in the most need.”
Evangeline Booth—1919
wife of William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army
DOING THE MOST GOOD
2
Farewell Letter From the Divisional Leaders
Hope confronts Tragedy
S
ome find it hard to believe but homelessness can happen to anyone. Nearly one year ago, it happened to Lillian, a then pregnant mother of three.
Lillian’s Story
Lillian, her husband, Marcus, and children were living the American dream in a comfortable home, with a new baby on the way. It only took one day for their dream life to turn into a nightmare. One night on his way home from work, Marcus stopped at a grocery store, was confronted by a man who shot and killed him for his money and car. Lillian was devastated. She had no family members to turn to and blamed herself for her husband’s death because she insisted that he stop and pick up groceries before coming home. She sank into a deep depression. Her pregnancy became high risk and Lillian was unable to work, and unable to provide for her children. Lillian got on government aid, and pawned everything they owned to survive. Still they were barely making ends meet to pay for food, doctor bills, and rent. With no car, phone or money, Lillian ended up having her baby boy in the streets. That’s when she realized she needed help. Lillian finally came to The Salvation Army worn and tired from her struggles. It took a while for her to accept that she was homeless and needed help. Currently, Lillian and her children are living in a Salvation Army shelter where they receive food, counseling and a safe place to sleep. The Salvation Army helped her find daycare and is assisting her in her job search… restoring Lillian’s dignity and hope for the future… one step at a time.
For the past short two years, our service here as Divisional leaders has been filled with many emotions. Joy and wonder as lives continue daily to be transformed through The Salvation Army’s lifechanging ministries and sadness as natural disasters and social ills continue to put so many people at the mercy of the streets and strangers. We have seen financial challenges and blessings, and worked to help the ministries meet the Army’s mission with the best stewardship of our resources. Two things have been constant – God’s amazing grace and your faithful support. The outpouring of assistance The Salvation Army has received from you has allowed us to touch the lives of families in Southern California and elsewhere (Katrina, Indonesia) with material items like clothing, food and shelter. But, most importantly, we have been able to reach out to hurting souls and provide healing, hope and the promise of God’s everlasting love. Our appointment as Divisional leaders in Southern California will end this summer as we take up new appointments at the Territorial Headquarters of the Central Territory (Chicago) as Chief Secretary and Territorial Women’s Ministries Secretary. We will miss the work being done here, and will be praying for the continued support and commitment to make a difference in this community. Thank you for your generous support of The Salvation Army’s work and mission. Please know that the Army will continue “doing the most good” with your contributions of time, money and resources. Now, we prepare for the transfer of leadership and continuation of this work, knowing that they too will be blessed as they are part of touching the lives of hundreds of thousands of men, women and children who seek our assistance every year. God bless you,
Major Paul R. Seiler
Major Carol Seiler
3
IN THE SPOTLIGHT…
A Beacon of Light on the Boulevard of
H
Broken Dreams
ollywood, CA - It used to be synonymous with the “good life”… glamour, fame, and success. Nowadays, Hollywood is symbolic of broken dreams, hard-luck and addiction. Located on Hollywood Blvd., The Salvation Army Hollywood Temple Corps is fighting hard to save lives destined for destruction. Captains Carlos and Rosa Rodriquez provide food for the hungry, counseling to the weary, worship services to the spiritually bankrupt and other vital life-lines to the destitute of their community. Thank you. Your support is helping The Salvation Army rebuild broken dreams on the streets of Hollywood.
Captain Rosa Rodriguez lends a compassionate hand to a woman on the streets of Hollywood.
5K Trail Run and Nature Walk
Run a Mile in my Shoes
Join The Salvation Army for the 5K Nature Trail Run at The Salvation Army Camp Mt. Crags and Gilmore (26801 Dorothy Drive, Calabasas, California 91302) on Saturday, June 17, 2006. The run/walk will benefit The Salvation Army Summer Camps. With your support, The Salvation Army can show children the beauty of the camp environment in the hopes that their camp experience will produce positive self-esteem and life-long friendships. BY June 9 8:00 AM Check in and packet pick-up 5K Trail Run $30 9:00 AM Start of 5K trail run 5K Nature Walk $30 9:15 AM Start of nature walk Children 4-16 $15 9:45 AM Finish line expo & celebration
AFTER June 9 $35 $35 $20
For sponsorship opportunities or to participate, please contact Emy Pena, 213-607-7304 Emy_Pena@usw.salvationarmy.org. Or visit: www.salvationarmy5k.org
4