9
Reaping what’s sewn
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he was a tough, street-hardened teen with a wellrehearsed demeanor, never allowing a flicker of emotion to cross her face.
“So you can imagine my shock when she showed up one Sunday afternoon to participate in our sewing class,” said Captain Rebecca Simmons, corps officer of the
Captain Rebecca Simmons guides a teen who’s learning how to sew.
A woman shows off a completed project to Captain Rebecca Simmons.
Two territories, one mission
Chicago Englewood, Ill., Corps Red Shield Center. “At first she came each Sunday with a few friends. Then she started coming by herself,” said Rebecca, who had set up a sewing room as a community center program after finding seven sewing machines in storage soon after arriving last year. “I started her on a simple purse/book bag project,” Rebecca continued. “When she got frustrated, she needed a little extra care. But finally, when her project began looking like a purse, I inverted the material so she could see her progress. A big smile broke across her face, then she quickly caught herself and resumed the mask. However, I could sense the pride she felt, realizing ‘I can really do this!’ Who knows what future
breakthroughs will come!” Herself a sewing enthusiast, Rebecca believes it’s become a lost art with younger people, along with other real-life skills that used to be taught in schools. In fact, she was amazed to see so many teen girls sign up for the sewing classes, which are also enjoyed by the older adult women who are happy to mentor and assist the girls with their projects. “The girls love to sew, and their enthusiasm caught on like wildfire. Many have now graduated to using simple patterns to make clothing. They can use their own material or use bolts of fabric donated by adult rehabilitation centers; several responded very generously to our request. Most important, more than a dozen girls have bridged into girl guards,” Rebecca concluded.
(l to r) Shelby Lawler, Catherine Harvey, Abby Hoag, Steven Anderson, Kaitlyn Reichard and Bobby Beacy ministered to the homeless in New York City.
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or a second year 24 Indiana Wesleyan University college students, along with Lts. Jason and Dana Bigelow, Marion, Ind., corps officers, joined the Eastern Territory for a week of urban mission. It’s part of a broader, intentional effort by the Central Territory to introduce young adults to the possibilities of Salvation Army ministry. Students, led by Eastern Territorial Headquarters staff Jason and Kelly Pope, spent their spring break serving in New York City based out of the Harlem Temple, N.Y., Corps. Between painting projects, afterschool program organiza-
Catherine Harvey and Jenna Gidman helped to serve at the Harlem Temple, N.Y., Corps’ soup kitchen.
tion, shelter visits and canteen outings, students were educated about the ministry of the Army. “Each morning Jason and Kelly had a guest officer who shared about their ministry, corps and personal testimony,” said Lt. Jason Bigelow. “To see our ministry at its grassroots, in an urban setting, I think the students were inspired!” When the week was over, not only were hundreds of people ministered to, but the students had developed a strong point of connection with each other and the Army. Since then students have been attending worship, participating in youth programs and serving in the food pantry at the Marion Corps. “A few have gotten really plugged in,” said Jason. “They’ve been involved in work projects, nursing home visitations, and they’ve invited their friends.” With a surge of young adults interested in social justice, incarnational living and urban ministries, the Army hopes to harness their enthusiasm and give them meaningful outlets for service, according to Major Phil Aho, territorial corps mission and adult ministries secretary. “There’s definitely potential for the Army to have new, talented people involved in our ministry through these sorts of connections,” said Jason.
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According to case manager April Reinerio, Liz was a great fit for the program. “I was really insecure about my life, and it [Pathway of Hope] helped me be more motivated and more driven to succeed,” said Liz. Through Pathway of Hope she was connected with many resources like food banks for necessities, and through the W2 program
she found a good paying job. “If it wasn’t for Pathway of Hope, I don’t know if I would have ever been able to move on with my life. I was stuck in a hole. And the hope the program gave me, it gave me more security in myself. It helped me know that I can do it. I can progress…My kids and I are grateful because I wouldn’t be able to be the mother I am now if it wasn’t for Pathway of Hope.”
New locations on the Pathway of Hope Eastern Michigan* Flint Beecher, Mich. Flint Citadel, Mich. Midland, Mich. Mt. Clemens, Mich. Owosso, Mich. Pontiac, Mich. Wisconsin & Upper Michigan Beloit, Wis. Fond du Lac, Wis. Janesville, Wis. Oshkosh, Wis.
Midland Arnold, Mo. East St. Louis, Mo. St. Louis Euclid, Mo. St. Louis Temple, Mo. Stratford Commons, Mo. Metropolitan* Chicago Irving Park, Ill. Chicago Lawn, Ill. Chicago Midwest, Ill. Des Plaines, Ill. Rockford Tabernacle, Ill. Rockford Temple, Ill.
Indiana* New Albany, Ind. Princeton, Ind. Terre Haute, Ind. *Indicates second cluster of corps in a division