The Salvation Army Summer Spotlight – Red Shield Kid’s Club

Since 1940, The Salvation Army Magness Potter Community Center has opened it’s doors to the children of  the Northeast Nashville community.  It’s mission?  To provide a safe place for kids to be themselves, create and maintain friendships, participate in sports along with many other organized activities and to learn they are a masterpiece in the eyes of God.

Schedules need to be kept, rules need to be adhered too but love and acceptance are prevalient throughout the halls of this instituion.

During the school year, this community center hosts an after school program complete with tutors who stop by and assist kids with their reading, math, social studies and science assisgnments.  Tutors are here to not only encourage and empower these amazing young minds, but also to help them grasp challenging subjects; enabling them to excel even when deep down inside, students may believe they can’t do it!

In the summer, we offer a day camp which consists of sports, games, music, art, bible study and team building exercises to encourage the importance of working together.  Groups from all over the US will drop by and put on musical shows, share their testimonies and encourage each child to reach for the stars! Lunch is provided by Metro Action of Nashville  and snacks (as well as during the school year) are provided by Second Harvest of Middle Tennessee which is indeed a blessing to many of these children who may have hardly anything to eat at home.  And as an added bonus, children from our summer camp have the opportunity to attend our Camp Paradise Valley located in KY for an entire week!  Here they walk nature trails, go fishing, boating, swimming, horseback riding, play sports, participate in creative arts and bible studies and cultivate new friendships as they meet kids from other Salvation Army community centers across TN and KY.  All of this is possible because of folks like YOU who support The Salvation Army!

All this week, we are going to shine the light on this heart warming program and let you see that with love, patience and understanding , the lives of children are being impacted on a daily basis.   Carlos Lowe, the current Kid’s Club Director, constantly reminds the kids who attend just how important they are and how they have the potential to do great things!  He warns them not to let anyone crush their dreams and tell them they can’t do something!  We have God, which means, we have everything we need to move forward and make a difference!

The Salvation Army Summer Spotlight – Life Skills Learning Program

A woman in her late 50′s emerges from the row of apartments behind The Salvation Army Center of Hope.  The warmth of the sun is still intense even though it’s almost 5 o’clock, but the slight breeze that has appeared is a welcome comfort as she makes her way down the street in the direction of her GED class at The Salvation Army.  A free opportunity for her to possibly pass the high school equivalency exam and go to college.  One day, she dreams, she would love to open up her own business.  As she walks alongside the wrought iron gate that wraps around the building, she smiles at everyone who passes by and waves to John Crawford, the Executive Director of Programs, who just pulled into the driveway.

With notebook in hand, she opens the door and heads into the classroom where her fellow students have already begun to gather.  Thick textbooks are spread out on white plastic tables, the sound of pencils sharpening can be heard amidst the clatter of dishes as families from our Transitional Housing program finish their evening meal in our main dining room.

She sits down and flips open her notebook, then her textbook.  She digs in her purse for her pencil, still sharp, she sets it down on the table and awaits her instructor, the smile never vanishing from her face.  She feels a sense of hope and purpose each time she comes here and believes that with time, patience and commitment, her dreams will be realized.

Yvonne represents the many students who have entered our doors since 2007 when we launched the Life Skills Learning program.  With dedicated teachers like EJ Boyson, William Dick, Jr, Andy Bonami, Christina Clohesy, Gordon Chavez and Bob Porter, adults in this community have a chance at achieving their dreams of higher education or sharpening their current skill sets.  Every Tuesday and Thursday evening, these volunteers rotate shifts and dedicate their time to making a difference in the lives of those seeking knowledge.  And what a feeling when a student comes up to you and gives you a huge hug, handshake, tears in their eyes; thanking you after they just passed their GED exam!  In addition to the free GED classes, The Salvation Army also offers:

Life Skills:
Parenting Conflict Resolution ● Dress for Success ● Good Hygiene ● Time Management ● Home Safety ● First Aid ● CPR ● Menu Planning/Preparation ● Emergency Services provided by The Salvation Army

Personal Development:
Goal Setting ● Rehabilitation ● Planning & Organizing ● Personal Mission Statement ● Life Business Coaching ● Recovery Workshops ● Leadership Development ● Attitude/Words/Thoughts ● Team Development/Relating with others ● Family Mission & Goals ● Heath/Fitness/Nutrition

Christian Development:
Counseling/Spiritual Development ● There is HOPE ● Get Life Back on Track ● Bible Studies ● Prayer Meetings ● Worship Meetings ● Handing Out Bible Tracks ● Christian Workshops ● Spiritual Disciplines

Professional Development:
Resume Writing ● Professional Development ● Resume Writing ● Interview Skills ● Job Search Approach ● Establish Professional Relationships for Referrals ● Computer Literacy ● Effective Communication ● Understanding Legal Issues ● Empowerment ● Honor-God, Self, Others ● Time Efficiency

Financial Development:  Big thanks to Dayna Lovelady from Dave Ramsey’s who teaches Financial Peace here!
Budgeting ● Money Management/Savings/Open Checking ● Planning for Future ● Credit Score ● Maintaining Home Ownership ● Established Relationships with banks, mortgage companies & affordable housing ● Income Help

At The Salvation Army, our goal is to provide a hand up not out.  We desire to help the whole person and enable them to develop and  realize their full potential that God has designed specifically for them!  Join us this week as we focus on this life changing program and it’s impact on those who teach and those who’ve learned.

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach” ~Romans 12:6-7

The Salvation Army Summer Spotlight – Breakfast Brigade and Soup Wagon

In 2004, a group of volunteers consisting of Tom and Debi Thomas, Jerry and June Patchell, Larry Jenkins along with Salvation Army staff members Ron Harmon and Jill McKinney set out on a Tuesday morning to serve a freshly prepared breakfast to Nashville’s homeless, calling themselves, “The Breakfast Brigade”.  From serving meals at Riverfront, to the parking lot of The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center to it’s current location since 2005 in front of the East Nashville Cooperative Ministry, this outreach has always been more than just handing out food.  It’s been a time of prayer and one on one ministry with those who would approach the window of our canteen in search of a hot cup of coffee, fresh eggs and fruit.  Volunteers and staff will sit down with our “street family” and pray with them, listen to them, encourage and love on them by holding their hands, giving them a much needed hug and letting them know just how much they are loved by God!

Breakfast Brigade

Soup Wagon

In 2007, another outreach was launched by staff member Ron Harmon and volunteer Toby Smith called “Soup Wagon”, a Friday evening feeding program that provided a homemade meal to the homeless under the Jefferson Street bridge.  Every week, teams of volunteers would gather under the bridge and help to serve soups, salads and various main dishes of chicken, beef and veggies.  Families would get involved and bake desserts, handing out items such as cookies and brownies to our family under the bridge.  We’ve also partnered with the Shade Tree Clinic who  would come out and provide free  vaccination and flu shots. From 2007-2008, a group of very talented musicians called Homeless Revolution got together and performed music acoustically for our “street family.” it was so neat to see folks retrieve their plates from the window of the canteen, then quickly find a place on the ground so they could eat and enjoy the show.  The band even had individuals come up and sit in, singing their favorite tunes.  On several occasions there was dancing which included the electric slide.  I remember one of our guests sharing that this “wasn’t just a feeding, this was family, this was fun.” And above all the music, the food, the laughter and the dancing, the love of Christ is present as hands are held and needs uplifted.  Tears are wiped dry and hope is shared with every single person who chooses to join us under the bridge.

Throughout the week, we are going to showcase glimpses into these two programs that continue today.  We will highlight some of the amazing groups who have remained dedicated year after year in serving alongside us to meet the need.  We will share pictures and video, so you can garner an understanding of this amazing ministry and we will provide you with a way to get plugged in.

“If you can’t feed a hundred people then feed just one.” ~Mother Teresa

Love Camps Here!

Imagine a child, 10 years old from a family of 6 residing in a 2 bedroom home, approximately 900 sq feet in size.  He comes from a single parent home where his mom works 2 jobs and finds but mere seconds in which to sit down, hug on and communicate with her children.  Every spare moment is spent surviving each day, making sure the bills are paid and her children are accounted for each evening.

The young man has become very familiar with the kitchen and prepares all of his own meals as well as those of his siblings since they are so much younger than he.  He has walked them to school and for those who are very young, his mother on the way to work will drop them off at a neighborhood child care center.  He notices around the home that dusting doesn’t always take first priority, plates pile up in the sink from the prior night’s meal and trash has a way of missing the garbage can, so without a second thought, this young man will try and maintain the home on a daily basis.  He wants to help, after all, he is the man of the family right now and his mother is depending on him.

He does happen to snag some time alone in a a corner of the house, and as his brothers and sisters play in the background, he creates beautiful masterpieces out of aluminum foil.  Each animal is handcrafted with no detail omitted as the elephant’s trunk proudly curls and the lion’s mane encircles it’s face in royal fashion.  The 10 year old studies each of his masterpieces and dreams of one day becoming an artist, perhaps his work being displayed in galleries around the world for people to marvel at and wonder what inspired such creativity.

Then summer approaches and his mother learns of the Summer Day Camp at The Salvation Army, which includes a week at Camp Paradise located in Kentucky on Dale Hollow Lake.  The sound of this possibility is more than what his young mind can soak in.  The thought of running free, playing games with friends, swimming in a clean, clear pool, taking rides across the lake, he is simply giddy with excitement.  His mother enrolls him and he is off to enjoy weeks of a life that is foreign yet welcome in his eyes!

Upon stepping foot off the bus at Camp Paradise, he breathes in the fresh air and amidst the sound of excited children and adults trying to share instructions, he can make out the sounds of crickets and birds singing.  As he makes his way to the bunks, the sweet smell of cedar greets him and he quickly sets down his bag and with sheets, he washed and packed himself, he makes his bed.  He receives a guided tour around the camp and sets his eyes upon the pool, the basketball court, the volleyball court, the baseball diamond, the nature trails, the beautiful blue lake, the chapel and the area where horses wait patiently for riders.  He’s beaming as are the other children around him because in their current financial state this wouldn’t be a possibility.  Vacations are seldom planned and the thought of actually getting to be a kid and just relax is more of a daydream than a reality.  But because of donors, each year, this camp, as well as our summer day camp in Nashville are able to operate and provide love, balance, health, leadership, guidance, team building, friendships, creative arts, sports, and memories that will last a lifetime and will be the catalyst for change in their life.  With your help, we plant the seeds of hope, mentors along the way water what’s been planted and these children grow into what God has created them to be and soon enough they are planting seeds in the life of another.

Love camps here and love travels as each child departs and heads back home, taking with them a piece of the experience that they will clutch on to and reference back on as they make their way through their reality.

The 10 year old mentioned in this story represents the many children who enter our doors and participate in our programs.  We want each one of them to have the chance to “be a kid” and to “feel safe.” And this has been accomplished many times over but only because YOU cared and supported our programming.   Thank YOU on behalf of the many kids who are currently in our camp this summer and for the children yet to come!

The Sweetness of Salvation

The Donut Girls, Then and Now

It’s April 7, 1917 and WW1 has been declared by then President Woodrow Wilson.  Troops were sent to Europe and in August of that same year The Salvation Army went in as well setting up canteens or “huts” for soldiers to receive food, coffee, writing supplies/stamps and a clothes mending service was made available too.

Imagine soldiers sitting in deeply dug trenches of slick mud and water, the sky overhead gray and unnerving.  As they lie positioned; poised for possible attack, their minds wander back home.  They reminisce of kitchens where their mom or wife would prepare homemade meals full of love and fresh ingredients.  As they reflect on these memories, they can almost make out the scent of baked apple pies, fried chicken and corn on the cob.  They can hear the clinking of glasses as they’re being placed on the table, the arranging of silverware at each setting and the chatter of voices as everyone sits down and shares on what their day was like.  The soldiers although focused on a mission can’t help but invite thoughts of home into their daily routine.  This is what motivates them and strengthens them as they head out into the unknown, armed and ready to protect our freedom!

This is where The Salvation Army chose to step in and offer a little piece of home amidst the war that was looming in every direction.  Ladies would spread out the ingredients they were able to gather such as flour, lard, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder and canned milk and would busily begin preparing a homemade treat that would offer some familiarity with the troops.  The Donut Lassies as they were affectionately called, would sift together the dry ingredients and with nimble fingers carefully knead and mix the dough, then roll it out on the stainless steel tables to a perfect thickness.  then with a knife, carefully carve out round pieces of dough and cast them into a iron skillet, usually preparing 7 at a time.  As each batch was completed they were placed in a large metal bowl and were handed out as troops lined up as well as being carried out to troops in the field.

The donuts were a huge hit but most importantly to have a group of men and women there; supporting them made an even more lasting impression.  The donuts and other foods offered filled a nostalgic and physical need within, but the prayers of The Salvation Army filled a need that nothing else could fill.  When soldiers lost their lives, men and women of The Salvation Army prayed at grave sites, when troops were fighting to survive in medic units on the field, The Salvation Army was there to hold their hand and in the name of Jesus ask for healing.  When soldiers just needed reassurance and someone to talk to, the men and women of The Salvation Army were there to share with them on how much they are loved by a mighty God so much so that he gave up his only son, Jesus to die on a cross for us so that we may forever live with him!

The sweetness of salvation was prevalent then and it is now as we serve fresh doughnuts to those who are hungry. And as each morsel of goodness is placed in the outstretched hand of another, we let them know they are loved by a creator who by sacrifice exemplified a sweetness and love that could never be emulated in any other form.

“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8

Sowing the Seeds of Hope – Bountiful Harvest!

So the garden is planted and through a daily commitment to maintaining, monitoring, praying over and feeding what has been planted, growth is prevalent and the outcome of faith and hope hangs off every branch.

This is when the harvest can begin.  The time where we observe and collect the amazing stories and testimonies shared by those who have gone from a seed planted to a product of love; God’s love.  We have the opportunity to share with others what can result from planning, patience and faith.

In a garden of fruits and vegetables, flowers and spices, the harvest will consist of foods to sustain us and flowers to create an atmosphere of beauty that can uplift our spirits.  In a garden of lives, the harvest will consist of changed lives that possess the chance to impact other lives and thus initiate a continuation of hope to people all around us.

We are grateful to those who support The Salvation Army through prayers, volunteer hours and monetary gifts.  It’s with all 3 that we have the blessing of maintaining gardens on a year round basis and the amazing opportunity through our many programs to witness growth in people that others may have disregarded, believing there was no hope for them.  We see the potential in every person who comes to us for help because we know with Jesus, nothing is impossible!  He is in our corner, He desires to fight for us and do whatever it takes to see us come to a full realization of who He has called us to be versus allowing us to fall away, alone and hopeless.

“So he said to the man who was taking care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should we use up the soil?’ ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.” ~ Luke 13:7-8

Sowing The Seeds of Hope – Why A Garden?

So why plant a garden?  First answer that comes to mind, food.  After all we need food to sustain us.  Small gardens can feed a family, large farms can feed a community and the accumulation of crops from many different areas can feed the world!

Fresh food grown in gardens and on farms are full of vital nutrients that our bodies need for health and survival.  It provides us with variety in our diets and enables us to thrive.  Gardens can also host beautiful foliage consisting of colorful flowers, small trees and a myriad  of different sized shrubs.  This provides us with gorgeous bursts of color in which to set our eyes upon that can elevate emotions within us.  Aromatic scents can fill the air and drift amidst our senses reminding us of childhood, memorable events and loved ones.

Community garden behind our Berry Street Worship center

The Salvation Army tends to a garden of souls; people seeking guidance in their life.  We desire to grow people spiritually and enable them to reach their full potential.  We choose to sow hope and restore life to the lost in the name of Jesus.  Our many programs offer various ways in which to harvest change.  In our Transitional Housing program, we”ll see a family enter our door, everything they own contained within smalls bags on each arm seeking new ground in which to grow.  They have been uprooted and displaced with no one to shower love and encouragement into their lives.  We’re here to plant a seed of love and give them a place to live.  We check in with them everyday, providing resources and opportunities so they can continue to stretch themselves to new heights. In our community center, we have children from various backgrounds who make their way to our building each day after school and throughout the summer.  Our staff and volunteers cultivate each child allowing them to see how amazing they are in God’s eyes and the potential we believe they have.

Why garden?  Because there is beauty in growth and others are impacted by it.  If it’s a garden filled with veggies, many people will benefit in the nourishing of their bodies.  If it’s encouraging and helping a person to grow, then we are providing nourishment for their soul which in turn can encourage and help another by the sharing of their testimony.

Keep us in your prayers as we work the land and join us within our various outreach opportunities and programs so that together we can meet the need and elevate each person to the place God has designed them to be.

 Matthew 9:37-38, “Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”