The Salvation Army is so much more than red kettles at Christmas time. The Salvation Army of Danville serves all of Vermilion County year ‘round. And over the weekend Special Events and Development Coordinator Melissa Wilhelm joined us for a 1490 WDAN News Makers program. She was joined by Executive Officer and Minister Major Jason Pollom.
Wilhelm says one thing they work on year ‘round, often combining efforts and communicating with other agencies, is helping keep individuals and families off the streets; and giving them a hand-up rather than a hand-out; with a long term goal of helping them become self-sustaining.
AUDIO: And we have a wonderful program called Pathway of Hope that specifically speaks to that, to help eliminate generational poverty. So we’re on the lookout for those folks who really are willing to help themselves, and want to work for that, and have just fallen on hard times. When people reach our doorstep, when they cross our threshold, there’s a lot of shame there. They tend to not want to look you in the eyes. They feel very embarrassed.
Major Jason Pollum says it’s incredibly gratifying to take a situation like that, and make it better.
AUDIO: Whether it’s talking to people on the streets with a feeding ministry; you take a Salvation Army canteen, and meeting people where there are many of whom do not have a permanent residence. And you hear their stories. And all of them are heartbreaking. Whether they are self-induced; or others helping to, you might say, pile on. There is no greater joy in knowing you can do something about that.
One thing the Salvation Army has coming up in May is Emergency Disaster Response Training. Wilhelm says this can be a great way to become part of the Salvation Army team as a volunteer. She points to an example from last year.
AUDIO: We had the Gibson City flooding last year; where the volunteers were notified, and anyone that was interested in going and serving there could go and serve with the canteen truck for the Salvation Army. And that helped people get resources and shelter and band-aids and water. And it helped them with the stress, which is a huge part of that as well.
Also coming up in June, July, and August are employment workshops. Major Jason Pollum says this can be for anyone of any age who needs help writing a resume, or just getting into the right frame of mind for wanting to earn a job, and do it well.
AUDIO: I think developing that mindset that work is not only a necessary thing, but it’s also a good thing. And it can be a great part in achieving the goals that we want to do in life that are beyond what we call “work” or “employment.” Any job done honorably, or done with heart and with passion, is worthwhile.
For more on the Emergency Disaster Response Training, the employment workshops; or perhaps if you’d like to be a Salvation Army volunteer or serve on their advisory board; go to SADanville. org, or call 217-607-9445.
