Life is too short to allow our misfortunes to bring us down!  When life’s toughest hurdles hinder us from rising up, many seek refuge in family or friends.  Unfortunately, for some that’s not even an option.  Finding someone’s arms to fall back on becomes difficult. 

Luckily, The Salvation Army of Greater Houston has been here to assist those in need for over 119 years.  Their work has given many Houstonians a second shot at life by giving them the opportunity to restore all that they’ve lost and to achieve their fullest potential.  

“They (The Salvation Army) offered me the help I needed and led me back to God - all without asking for anything in return, only my commitment,” said former drug addict and client of The Salvation Army’s Harbor Light Center, Mike Wheeler.  “I was desperate for help knowing that I was drowning in a pool of drugs and living a life I knew I never wanted,” Wheeler said.   “After living under a bridge in the same neighborhood where I grew up, and eating out of garbage cans…I knew it was time for me to change.”

The Salvation Army of Greater Houston supported his decision by offering Wheeler one of its many free programs and services:  drug and alcohol rehabilitation at the Harbor Light Center.  There he received work therapy, counseling and education, among other services.  Most importantly, the now culinary chef was able to regain control of his life and leave the streets behind.  After spending five years without a place to call home, going through the recovery process at The Salvation Army, and graduating from culinary school, Wheeler is now the official chef of the Harbor Light Center.

This shelter for adult males is one of two such facilities in the Greater Houston region operated by The Salvation Army of Greater Houston.  In order to be accepted into the rehabilitation program, individuals need only sign up – without paying a dime – and have the motivation to kick their addictions.  

In addition to this work, the nonprofit organization offers programs and services that assist children and seniors.  They shelter those in need of support, provide working-poor families with emergency rent and utility bill payments, and help the addicted break free from their dependence on alcohol and drugs; while at the same time standing ready to respond in case of any emergencies or natural disasters.

Like Mike Wheeler, many have sought out and found help at The Salvation Army.  Women like Melissa Hartley, who struggled to make ends meet and provide her children with food and shelter.  After arriving in Houston, she acknowledges that The Salvation Army’s hard work to provide help to the most needy made an impact in her life.   

After spending time at Family Residence she realized that The Salvation Army isn’t just here to assist those in need, but to provide a sense of living by instilling in them hope and desire to once again rebuild their lives.

Stories continue to emerge such as that of Robert Lavergne, who after living a life of recognition as an outstanding athlete and achieving greatness in the gridiron, he fell in the deepest hole of his life.  Drugs led him to lose his thriving athletic career, home, but above all his family.  It wasn’t until he found Christ through The Salvation Army that he realized he needed to change his lifestyle.  The change in lifestyle brought him a new identity which allows him to give support and advice to those who suffer from an addiction to drugs he is so lamentably familiar with.

Prior to arriving at The Salvation Army’s Harbor Light Center, Lavergne lived out of his car, driving drug dealers around in exchange for narcotics.  Today, he is an ordained minister and a mentor to the new clients of The Salvation Army’s Harbor Light Center, where he works.

 Hartley, who had her now-15-year-old-daughter at The Salvation Army’s shelter for women with children (Family Residence), in 1994, after fleeing from an abusive relationship, is now employed in the petrochemical industry and is one of Family Residence’s strongest supporters.

“If I hadn't been there, I would have been back in my abusive relationship, and I wouldn't be where I am today,” she said in hindsight.  “Being around all the other women, we bonded - it was kind of a support system.  I don’t regret being there.  It’s a hard situation to not have family around, but they help motivate you.  They are there to help when you are down!”

Aside from housing and rehabilitation, The Salvation Army also offers youth and senior programs, financial assistance, spiritual counseling, Christmas assistance, and a host of other services – all at no cost to the community.  This is made possible by the generosity of strangers and past clients who believe in the mission of the organization and who support it through monetary donations.

In return, The Salvation Army of Greater Houston utilizes 89.5 cents of every dollar donated in direct services to the less fortunate in our community.  On any given night, every single day of the year, some 600 homeless people find a place to sleep at one of The Salvation Army’s facilities.  During its Hurricane Ike disaster relief efforts, The Salvation Army served some 5 million individuals throughout the Southeast Texas region.   

Unfortunately, monetary donations are simply not coming in like they use to.  Due to a troubling economy and Hurricane Ike’s after effects on the Gulf Coast region, Christmas donations through the mail campaign, this year, are down 20 percent, in comparison to the same timeframe last year.  Red kettle campaign  donations are down by 3 percent.   

“We are optimistic that in spite of the tough economic times, Houstonians will take notice of how The Salvation Army positively impacts the community through its faith, programs and services,” says Area Commander, Major Marshall Gesner.  “We believe they will continue to provide financial assistance for us to serve those who otherwise wouldn’t have anyone else’s help, but above all, we will all make a difference and change one life at a time.”

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