Meeting People Where They Are: Hope, Resilience, and Community at The Salvation Army
At The Salvation Army, resilience begins with dignity, compassion, and faith in action. Rooted in a mission to preach the gospel and meet human needs without discrimination, the Social Services team works every day to lift individuals and families out of crisis by offering not just assistance, but empowerment.
Rather than providing a temporary fix, The Salvation Army focuses on a hand-up, not a handout. Each client is met where they are, with a listening ear, thoughtful conversation, and personalized case management. Sometimes that support includes prayer, encouragement, or simply sharing a moment of laughter or tears. In every interaction, the goal is the same: to restore hope and help individuals take control of their next steps forward.
From Crisis to Stability
One client came to The Salvation Army after living in his car for several weeks. He was going through a divorce, working full-time, and earning a respectable salary — yet child support obligations left him unable to afford housing. Because his income was above certain assistance thresholds, he felt defeated and unsure where to turn.
Through conversation and careful assessment, staff helped him explore housing options and identify an affordable one-bedroom apartment. When he expressed concern about affording the application fee, deposit, and first month’s rent, a network of community partners stepped in. The Salvation Army covered the application fee, while Kno-Ho-Co and Associated Charities assisted with the remaining costs.
In that moment, hope returned. Later that week, the client called with an update: he had been approved for the apartment, the assistance came through, and he would soon be moving into his new home. He called simply to say thank you — a reminder of the power of collaboration and compassion.
Small Moments, Big Impact
Impact isn’t always measured in milestones; sometimes it’s found in quiet moments.
At a daily free community lunch, a young mother sat silently while her two small children enjoyed a hot meal on a cold winter day. Wrapped tightly in her coat, she stared out the window, likely carrying the weight of uncertainty and fear. As she looked back at her children, a tear caught the light — perhaps gratitude, perhaps relief. No questions were asked. No explanations were required. Just a meal, warmth, and the reassurance that someone cared.
In another moment, a mother walked past the office window with her two young sons on a bitterly cold day. Their coats were too small, their toys broken but clutched tightly — likely the only possessions they could call their own. Those broken toys told a story of scarcity, but also of resilience. Through donor support, moments like these can turn into something brighter: warm coats, nourishment, and the simple joy of a new toy — tangible reminders that hope still exists.
Stronger Together: The Power of Partnership
Rising costs, higher utility bills, and long housing waitlists mean that no single agency can meet every need alone. Collaboration is essential.
By working alongside partners such as Associated Charities, St. Vincent de Paul, and transitional housing providers, The Salvation Army is able to stretch resources further and provide more comprehensive support. Whether it’s preventing utility disconnections through shared financial assistance or coordinating extended temporary lodging for individuals experiencing homelessness, these partnerships create stability that would otherwise be out of reach.
Together, agencies ensure clients have the time, resources, and support needed to move toward long-term solutions — not just short-term survival.
United Way Support Makes It Possible
Funding and partnership through United Way of Ashland County are vital to this work. Without United Way support, The Salvation Army would not be able to consistently provide critical monthly services, including approximately:
- 900 free community lunches
- 400 grocery orders
- 50 emergency assistance cases for utilities, gas vouchers, rental application fees, and vital documents
- Support for nearly 1,000 individuals served each month
These services are often the difference between crisis and stability for individuals and families across Ashland County.
Looking Ahead with Hope
Hope for the future comes from seeing clients take ownership of their financial well-being. Through case management, individuals learn to track income and expenses, plan by paycheck, and make informed decisions that help them stay on track — even during uncertain times.
Hope also comes from the generosity of the Ashland County community. Whether through donations, prayers, or simple acts of kindness, the community continues to show up. One small example speaks volumes: a call for egg cartons resulted in over 200 donations, enabling a local farmer to provide 32 dozen eggs each week to the food pantry — the equivalent of $400 in monthly food support. Small actions add up, and together they make a lasting difference.
Every story of resilience, every partnership, and every act of generosity is proof that when a community comes together, hope grows stronger. Through the continued support of United Way of Ashland County, The Salvation Army remains committed to walking alongside individuals and families — one conversation, one step, and one story at a time.