Girl Scout Service Project Inspires Above And Beyond

Leaders and families of a local Girl Scout troop made a wise decision in January that will have a huge impact on the women and children living at The Salvation Army’s homeless shelter in Indy. What started out as an alternative to earning another badge for these 8-9 yr. old girls bridging over to Girl Scouts, has now grown into a bedroom and storage unit full of toys and toiletries.

Twelve girls in Brownie Troop #2454 of Franklin Twp. embarked on this service project in January, with the intent of collecting items from family and friends. They chose The Salvation Army’s Women & Childrens Shelter because the organization helps more than just victims of domestic violence.

Assistant Leader Kerri Earls contacted a news station to gain exposure for what the girls were doing and hopefully bring some businesses on board with the plan. After Fox 59 featured the story, Kerri says it exploded from there. Not only did the Earls’ spare bedroom quickly begin to fill up with donated items but they had to move some to a storage unit.”These girls have huge hearts for helping others,” says Kerri.

Their enthusiasm spread fast and took the project beyond just the families to inspiring businesses to also give. One mother of a girl in the troop works for The Lumina Foundation. She shared the project at work and on Monday, the shelter received a check from Lumina for $2,500 in honor of the troop.

The project is ongoing until March, which will culminate with a special delivery of the donations to the shelter. At that time, the girls will tour the facility so they can see first-hand how their efforts will be used.

If you’d like to know how you, your group or business can help, call Julia Sloope, Special Projects Coordinator for The Salvation Army Social Service Center – (317)224-1067 or julia_sloope@usc.salvationarmy.org.

Looking to Donate?

We recieve a lot of phone calls from generous donors wondering what is top priority on our wish list.  Right now we are desperately in need of blankets(any size) , sheets (twin), towels and washcloths.

Donations can be dropped off anytime at 540 N. Alabama.  Questions?  Contact Julia Sloope at 317-224-1067.

A True Success Story: A Case Manager’s Perspective

“When I first met Erin*, I didn’t think she was going to make it.  She came in with a long list of problems:  drug and alcohol addiction, family violence, domestic violence, mental health issues and a criminal record.  She came into the shelter in October of 2009 because she was trying to stay clean and her abusive boyfriend was pushing her back into using crack.  In addition, she had mental health issues, mainly anxiety, that prevented her from looking for a job and also encouraged her to relapse.

Together we began addressing her anxiety.  We worked on ways to apply for jobs that were less anxiety provoking.  At every meeting with me she always came prepared with new job leads for us to call together or that she’d want me to fax her resume to.  However, every time she would get close to getting an interview, her criminal background would step in.  She never stopped searching.  While job searching, she was working with Midtown, where she went to dual diagnosis groups twice a week.  She also attended AA meetings on a weekly basis.  Erin was very invested in her own recovery; she would talk about her frustration and anxiety about relapsing and finding a job but she never pitied herself.  She was determined to make it.

In April of 2010 we enrolled Erin in our Continuing Support Program.  Erin moved into the Luchille Raines Transitional Housing where she could get more support in her recovery.  The Salvation Army provided rental assistance, bus tickets and other financial help.  She continued to meet with me once a week and started the  HIP (Homeless Initiative Program) Hospitality Program where she learned job searching and computer skills and was connected with job leads.  The program also helped her tackle her social anxiety that had been inhibiting her ability to apply for jobs.  Finally in June, Erin found the right anxiety medicine and regained some of her confidence.  All the while, she never gave up looking for a job.

While at Lucille Raines, she continued working with her HIP and Midtown case managers to find a job.  She continued to attend AA meetings two to three times a week.  Finally, after a year of searching for a job, she was hired at Conseco Field House in December!  She currently works there part time as a cook.  She is also waiting to move into the Boner Center Apartments as part of the Shelter Plus Care Program. 

Since I have been working with her, Erin has never relapsed and takes her recovery very seriously.  Her daughter is currently drinking and Erin has maintained healthy boundaries that she abides by when talking with her daughter.  She is focused on taking care of herself, but she also remembers every that has helped her along the way.

Despite the enormous number of road clocks that were in her way when she came to the shelter, Erin is one of the msot successful clients I have ever worked with.”

*Names have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the client

Salvation Army Toy Shop

Interested in applying for Christmas assistance this year?  Here’s what you need to know:

YOU MUST BE EMPLOYED OR IN SCHOOL TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PROGRAM!

 Accepting applications Tuesday, November 2, 2010 – Thursday,  December 2, 2010

Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Saturdays from 9:00am – 12:00pm

Closed for Thanksgiving Thursday and Saturday, November 25 & 27

 Application Sites:

The Salvation Army Fountain Square Corps, 1337 S. Shelby Street, 46203
The Salvation Army Eagle Creek Corps, 4400 N. High School Road, 46254
The Salvation Army Center City Ministries, 234 E. Michigan Street, 46204

 The following items are required in order to apply for Christmas assistance:

• Picture ID for all adults in the household
• Social Security Card (or passport, green card) for all adults in the household
• Social Security Card  and Birth Certificate  (or Medicaid card) for each child
• Combined household income statements
• Proof of employment or school status for head of household
• Proof of address

 **Incomplete applications will not be considered**

 Eligible applicants will be invited to a “Toy Shop” where they can choose new gifts for each approved child in the household.

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