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By Valerie Phillips Johnson
Cindy has ridden out storm after storm to keep her family in their Monroe, GA home. She is a divorced and disabled mother who, despite her own traumas has refused to let her son’s fiancé and two grandchildren fend for themselves. In 2001, Cindy suffered back, neck, and brain injury in a car accident and she has been fighting ever sense to regain a normal life for herself and her family. Currently living with her are her 18-year old son and his 18-year old fiancé whose own mother is in jail for neglect. Cindy’s family also includes the 5-year old and 9 year-old grandchildren she has taken in because of her daughter’s substance abuse.
Everything seemed to be caving in around her as she could no longer work or drive because of amnesia. She says, “Life has never been the same.” Just as she had exhausted all of her resources and was on the verge of eviction, a friend in Monroe, GA told her about The Salvation Army which had confirmed a magazine article she read listing the Army as one of the places to call for help in difficult times. She called The Salvation Army and scheduled an appointment with Shunte, a case worker she has come to admire and love.
Cindy was four months behind in rent and utility payments and The Salvation Army’s Homeless Prevention & Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) helped her pay rent and utility bills to prevent her family from becoming homeless. Calling the Army is a decision that changed her life. For so long, the burden of keeping a roof over everyone’s heads and food on the table was taking its toll on her physically, mentally, and spiritually. As one of 3,898 persons receiving utility assistance and one among 5,138 individuals HPRP prevented from becoming homeless, Cindy will joyfully remind friends that is was not only the emergency financial assistance of The Salvation Army that got her family through, it was also the kindness and love in the heart of her caseworker, Shunte who ministered her through the process.
She continues to focus on improving her health and is striving to work again. She admits that her memory is still spotty and that she has to write everything down to help her remember the most ordinary tasks. But one thing she remembers clearly is the symbol of the Red Shield. When she sees The Salvation Army’s Shield, she sees a blessing and thanks God every day the Army is there to help people with nowhere else to go.
Interested in helping your community during this Holiday Season? Click here to find your local community in Georgia.
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