This article in today's Chicago Tribune vividly depicts how more and more people across the country are seeing beyond their own need to help others. It has been inspiring to see this occurring right here in the Twin Cities, but it's good to know that Salvation Army facilities throughout the nation are providing a way for people in the midst of their own distress to help others. But enough from me, I'll just let you read it for yourself:

Laid-off Elgin man 'knows how it is'; He jumps in to help despite his own woes; Fernando Leyva

By Phyllis Benson
27 February 2009
Chicago Tribune

Who: Despite a diagnosis of cancer and losing his job and home, Fernando Leyva of Elgin couldn't sit around feeling sorry for himself. He found an outlet to help others at the Salvation Army.

What he does: Leyva is an all-around volunteer, said Maj. Ken Nicolai of the Salvation Army.

"He's such a kind-hearted person," Nicolai said. "He knows how it is. I think that's what drives him. He has an intuitive ability to say, 'Let me help you; it's not as bad as it seems.' "

A daily fixture at the Salvation Army, Leyva helps people understand the steps they need to get assistance and often takes it upon himself to go with a client to help make a payment at a currency exchange or retrieve a repossessed car.

He also helps sort and distribute food to the growing numbers looking for assistance, and he created an informational flier in Spanish for clients.

"He did it of his own initiative. It makes it easier for them and might prevent them from waiting for an hour for something that could be handled very simply," Nicolai said.

What he did: Leyva, the father of two young sons, lost his job as a mortgage broker when the housing market collapsed.

Why he does it: "We know what it's like to have a very comfortable life," Leyva said.

His wife, Cecilia, now gets up at 4 a.m. every day to stand in line with hundreds of others at temporary agencies looking for day labor work.

Seeing people coming to the Salvation Army for assistance from the window of his rented home spurred him to action. Despite his setbacks, Leyva realizes he could have it worse.

"There's all this need, I don't mind," he said.

"Gift Package of Honor"

I just have to share this great story, told by a Salvation Army social worker at our St. Paul Citadel Worship and Service Center:

“As we were opening the doors to let clients into the building for the breakfast program a young man pulled me aside and asked if we might have some flowers or something for his mom’s birthday. I said we could help him with something. We normally have plenty of unique items that comes into the food shelf and I believed we could put something together for him. I started to review the stuff in the food shelf and was reminded that I received a very nice box of dark chocolates as a gift for Valentines Day. I love dark chocolate and so does my wife, so I dismissed the thought and kept rummaging through the food shelf for something special. Then a thought hit me. ‘Why am I saving the best for me and trying to find something else for this client? God never did that to me. He always gave his best!’ So I went to my office and pulled out the prized dark chocolate box and with the collective help of the office team we put together a gift bag of special items. The best we could find. We called it ‘the gift package of honor.’ We were helping one of God’s precious souls honor his mother. As he wrote out the card to her, his heart was overwhelmed with gratitude. He thanked us for such a special gift and we thanked him for the honor to serve.”

Beyond the Red Kettle

We had a great Beyond the Red Kettle tour this afternoon at our Booth Brown House facility in St. Paul. About 20 donors, volunteers, and staff members gathered for a free lunch followed by a walking tour of this building, which houses young men and women who would be otherwise homeless. We heard incredible stories from the Booth Brown House staff about once-struggling young adults who are now on their feet, with college degrees and complete lives of their own. I love executing these tours because I get to witness the eye-opening experience our tour guests have as they walk through the building and hear about the programs. Every single time we have had a tour here, at least one tour guest pulls me aside to whisper, "I had no idea that The Salvation Army does this kind of thing." I always tell them that that's exactly why we do these tours in the first place! We want to show people what happens beyond that red kettle that you see at Christmas time, and take a deeper look into our programs.

I am thankful that The Salvation Army does have a facility like this to help youth and young adults from sleeping on the streets or "couch-hopping" because it is a need that many are unaware of. The Wilder Foundation's recent research on homelessness reveals that "on a typical night in Minnesota, there are an estimated 600 youth under age 18, and even more young adults who are homeless and on their own. These are among the least visible and most vulnerable homeless people. Most have experienced serious upheaval in their lives; about half have been physically abused." Seeing Booth Brown House first-hand is always a reminder that this need exists and it is incredible to hear about so many who have gone from homeless to complete self-sufficiency within a matter of months.

Join us on our next tour! All are welcome, and it's easy to sign up online. Check out The Salvation Army's website, and click on "Take a Tour."

"Need Knows No Season"

I know, I know: Long time, no blog. I have been out of the office, healing up after eye surgery, so please excuse my blog-absence over the last couple of weeks. When I told friends that I would be having this surgery, many of them responded with, "Oh, well it's a good thing this is the slow season for The Salvation Army." This always makes me laugh, because although Christmas is admittedly a busier time then usual, there really is no "slow season" for The Salvation Army. "Need knows no season" is a phrase often touted by The Salvation Army and its staff, and it's true that long after the bells from the red kettles have died down, need is ever-present. So while things have calmed down from the frenzied pace of the Christmas season, it's far from "slow" around here, and I am thankful that we have programs in place to help and serve those in need 365 days a year.