C O M M U N I T Y
R E P O R T
Art Changes Lives In the spring of 2007, Ernestine, a participant in The Salvation Army’s Developmental Disabilities Program (DDP), sat in the center sketching images that she found on greeting cards. The images, created in black and white, were so accurate they looked as though they had been traced. But they were original. Barbara Buford, a senior employment training specialist, noticed this untapped talent and began her search for ways to foster Ernestine’s gift. Buford reached out to the Very Special Arts (VSA) of Delaware, the State’s organization on arts and disability, hired a local artist, formed a class of five members, and so The Salvation Army’s DDP Art Program was born. Over the past five years, the work of the DDP Art Program has been displayed at Delaware galleries including: Gallery 50, Renew Your Palette, Delaware State University Gallery, and the Delaware Museum of Art. The Program has donated artwork to fundraisers for the Buddywalk and The Salvation Army telethon and has won grants from the Delaware Division of the Arts. In August, the Program hosted its 3rd Annual Arts Show at the Millsboro Art League. DDP participants have earned money through selling individual art pieces and the Program has taken a collection of pieces and turned them into cards which are sold to individuals and businesses. The money raised goes directly back to the Program to purchase needed supplies such as paint, paper, and canvases. “Every day I am in awe of what our participants can do,” said Christy Cugno, program director for DDP. “Because of our artists’ talent we started out with pennies and have been able to grow the Program into what it is today.” Cugno credits the success of the DDP to the quality of the pieces created by the artists. Cugno emphasized, “This is
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not refrigerator artwork. This is gallery worthy artwork.” The Program’s most recent project, “The Tree of Hope,” is DDP’s first effort to sell a 250 limited edition run of a print created by Sarah, a Program participant. While it was originally crafted for a special event with the Cancer Support Community of Delaware, the positive response from the audience encouraged Cugno and her team to pursue this new venture. Now, 15 participants strong, the DDP Art Program can celebrate its success and recognizes art as a positive force in the lives of the DDP community. Cugno smiles when she thinks of one Program participant, Renay, who had a difficult transition into the DDP Program after graduating high school. Renay now enters the center eagerly asking, “Are we going to get messy today?” Notes Cugno, “Art has given Renay a purpose and something to look forward to.” continued on back
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The Learning Zone:
Educating the Mind and Feeding the Spirit
The Learning Zone at The Salvation Army Philadelphia Temple Corps is a testament to The Salvation Army’s commitment to two mandates: to fulfill the needs of the community, and to provide the stability and spiritual support needed for ultimate success. What started as an after school program has since transitioned to a family literacy center offering GED classes and programs on life skills, job readiness and personal development.
Kendrick. “Parents are the first teachers of their children so the GED program was a way we could support them.”
The Learning Zone’s after school program continues to thrive, serving 40 students each day. It provides assistance with homework and a safe haven for afternoon play with an emphasis on good citizenship and Christian values. Reverend D. Omar Epps, assistant supervisor of the Learning Zone after school program, says the favorite part of his job is being a role model for the kids. “It’s important to let them know that there is someone here who they can talk to who will not look down on them, and instead encourage them,” said Epps.
Since the launch of the GED program, participants have received the academic learning required to pass the GED test, as well as education in life skills, job readiness and personal development. The program boasts an 80 percent success rate in passing the test along with several students going on to pursue a college degree at Harcum College. Stephanie Evans, Learning Zone secretary, credits much of the success of the GED program to its alignment with The Salvation Army’s mission as a Christian organization. “The Salvation Army is an organization of second, third, fourth and fifth chances,” said Evans. “We are here to nurture [the participants], develop them and cultivate them in education.”
Jennifer sees these results with her granddaughter who is a participant in the after school program. ”The staff lets the children know that the love they are getting at home is extended here,” she said. It was through her work with the children at the after school program that Reverend Carol Kendrick, director of the Learning Zone, identified the need for a GED program. “Parents could not help their children with school work,” said
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The need for a GED program was also made evident in the results of a 2004 community assessment completed by The Salvation Army. Notes Kendrick, “We asked the people what they felt was needed and they said education and jobs. These are connected.”
Shirley, a single mother and participant in the GED program said, “The program has boosted my confidence in ways that, at first, I wasn’t aware of. It’s a breath of fresh air.” Shirley plans to attend college after passing the GED. Aligned with The Salvation Army’s mission, one of her career path choices is to work at the rehabilitation shelter where she now lives, helping others on their road to recovery.
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Comfort and Joy: Pajama Party and Story Time with The Salvation Army
On June 14 more than one hundred children celebrated the end of the school year at a Pajama Party and Story Time at The Salvation Army Temple Corps Community Center in Philadelphia. Infants and children up to age twelve, currently living in local homeless shelters, spent the evening listening to stories read by local television personalities, community leaders and members of The Salvation Army staff. After enjoying a snack of milk and cookies, each child went home with a new pair of pajamas, a toothbrush, toothpaste and an ageappropriate book. The Salvation Army first started collecting pajamas in 2009 when Karen Thompson, a dedicated social entrepreneur, pioneered a large-scale operation to provide underwear and pajamas to disaster victims. Thompson partnered with The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services to form the Thompson Pajama and Underwear Pantry, named in honor of her late father-in-law who received Salvation Army support as a child. Since 2009, the Pajama Pantry has organized pajama drives with local schools,
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n’ e f sa y coz
churches, independent groups and businesses to collect and distribute more than 7,500 sets of new pajamas to those in need. Mary Harmer, marketing and events coordinator, said the idea to combine the distribution of pajamas with story time came when her team realized that the event would fall at the end of the school year. “We knew it was time for summer reading and thought it would be a good idea to tie that into the event.” Volunteer Dorothy Barker was fully committed to the event’s success. Barker’s outreach to donors resulted in the donation of more than 600 pairs of pajamas. After receiving the pajamas, she spent days sorting them by size, gender and season. Barker then placed the pajamas in bags and labeled them with the children’s names. “Putting the names on the pajama bags had a big impact on me,” said Barker. “It made me wonder about the lives of the children and what kind of circumstances must have brought them to The Salvation Army.” Barker was also present at the event to personally give pajamas to the children.
“You should have seen their faces,” she said. “Giving them the pajamas was like giving them gold.” Barker has fond memories of the children coming to the pajama table with cookie crumbs still on their fingers and meeting them eye to eye. “I watched them soften to a place of warmth, openness, acceptance and joy,” she said. Barker hopes that projects like the Pajama Party will serve as “an anchor” to other services for children. “We’re not just giving pajamas, we are giving love,“ she said. When most of us think of pajamas, we think of being warm, safe and cozy. This was the feeling I wanted those children to have.”
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The partnership between Wells Fargo and The Salvation Army is one rooted in a genuine shared desire to improve lives in the communities they serve. The two groups found each other in the late 19th century when a troop of Salvation Army officers were in need of a reliable vehicle to take them from Northern California to the Pacific Northwest. Wells Fargo generously loaned the officers one of their famous stage coaches, allowing the team to continue their mission despite the treacherous terrain. More than 100 years later, Wells Fargo has once again paved the way for the mission of The Salvation Army to expand by stepping up as a founding contributor to The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center of Philadelphia. Kendall Sofia, director of Corporate Relations for The Salvation Army, is continually impressed with the level of involvement from the Wells Fargo work force at The Salvation Army Kroc Center. “It is clear that Wells Fargo views their commitment as more than a financial one,” said Sofia. “They are engaging in everything the Center has to offer. They say to their employees, ‘this is what we did; this is why we did it; now come experience it.’ The people at Wells Fargo make our partnership unique.” Wells Fargo recently began using the Center to offer free financial literacy courses to the community. The courses, taught in both English and Spanish, are facilitated by Wells Fargo employees who volunteer time and expertise to educate community members about saving, appropriately using and accessing credit, and how to grow savings through investments. Now, a pilot program at the Center, the goal is to offer classes at more centers throughout the Philadelphia region. In the true spirit of
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Wells Fargo’s commitment to the community, the company has more volunteers than needed to staff the program. Sofia credits the strength of the Wells Fargo relationship today to Vince Liuzzi, Wells Fargo’s regional president for Greater Philadelphia/Delaware. Mr. Liuzzi was the 2011 recipient of The Salvation Army’s “Doing the Most Good Community Leadership Award” and is a member of The Salvation Army Advisory Board. Mr. Liuzzi uses The Salvation Army Kroc Center for his leadership team meetings because he sees the Center as a place for renewal and connection. “We believe very strongly that we will only be successful if the communities we serve are successful,” said Liuzzi. “This is part of our DNA. It is part of what makes Wells Fargo the organization it is today. This is not a short-term view.” As for the long term, The Salvation Army looks forward to continued successes made possible by partners like Wells Fargo. Mr. Liuzzi seconds that by saying, “Wells Fargo will be one of the strongest supporters of The Salvation Army in the Philadelphia region. Our relationship dates back more than 100 years, and I would like to see it last another 100.”
RANDOLPH MASE, FICTION WRITER (RANDOLPHMASE.WORDPRESS.COM)
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Disaster Relief Across the Nation
In late April 2011, a series of devastating tornadoes ravaged the southern region of the US, impacting the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and the Carolinas. Less than one month later, on May 22, 2011, another tornado struck what is arguably Minneapolis’ poorest area, leaving hundreds of families homeless. In both regions, the Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Response (EDS) teams provided immediate assistance with the distribution of food and essential living supplies. One year after these devastating storms, Salvation Army EDS volunteers continue to provide comfort and emotional and financial support to impacted families. This spring Salvation Army leaders and volunteers took time to remember the lives lost and recognize the efforts of those working to rebuild. They also expanded their focus to include long-term recovery programs, recognizing that Doing the Most Good often means providing people with the ability to reclaim control of their lives.
classes and job search assistance as well as financial assistance for car repairs, college application fees or new clothing for job interviews. The budget for the first year is $150,000 and will employ two staff members. CREATING AWARENESS FOR ONGOING RECOVERY
One May 3, 2012, FedEx, The Salvation Army and NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin welcomed Benjamin Torres, a father of three and Afghanistan and Iraq war veteran, to a new home built after his original home was destroyed by the storms. The home, built by The United Methodist Committee on Relief, was furnished with appliances provided by The Salvation Army as part of a $10,000 donation from FedEx. The Torres home is the first of a 20 homes slated for rebuilding in the Alberta City neighborhood of Tuscaloosa, TN. REBUILDING THE COMMUNITY & HEALING THE SPIRIT
In Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi The Salvation Army partnered with community leaders to identify signature community projects, with a focus on local parks and community centers. In Georgia, The Salvation Army is providing furnishings for the rebuild of Spalding County’s historic 107 year-old Vaughn United Methodist Church, a spiritual landmark destroyed by the storms. ADVICE WITH A LONG-TERM FOCUS
EMPOWERING MINNEAPOLIS
In North Minneapolis, the Salvation Army is providing the tools families need to be self-sufficient through a program called Project Breakthrough. Funded by a two year grant from The Salvation Army Central Territory Headquarters in Chicago, Project Breakthrough aims to help families regain control and limit dependence on public assistance. Project Breakthrough provides individual counseling, budgeting
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In all regions, The Salvation Army has hired additional case workers to provide direct financial assistance as well as long-term case management for resettlement. And while distribution centers continue to provide food, clothing and essential living supplies, those in need are now able to acquire donated building materials, household items, and furniture for their rebuilding efforts. To read about The Salvation Army’s extensive Emergency and Disaster Services efforts, visit disaster.salvationarmyusa.org. To support these relief efforts, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
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CHRISTMAS IN JULY: SALVATION ARMY DAY AT THE PHILLIES Thanks to the generosity of some extraordinary donors, The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia was able to treat over 500 inner city children and their families to a special day with the World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies. For many it was their first time ever at a professional baseball game.
ART CHANGES LIVES continued from front
As for Ernestine, her signature black and white sketches have taken a turn as of late. She’s now experimenting with colors. With a smile on her face she expressed, “The different and bright colors amaze me!” For more information, please email Christy_Cugno@use.SalvationArmy.org or call (302)934-3730 ext. 111.
OUR MISSION The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs, in His name, without discrimination.
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is published by The Salvation Army, PENDEL Division, Divisional Development Department to educate our partners on the services we provide to those in need. If you are receiving duplicate copies of this newsletter or have questions or concerns, please contact Arminta Watkins at 215-787-2971.
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