Trina’s Story of Hope
Trina came to The Salvation Army after leaving a domestic violence situation with her spouse in Ohio. “Unfortunately for me, my significant other became more or less mentally and emotionally abusive. I had to have open heart surgery and while I laid in the hospital with these tubes draining fluid from around my heart for a pericardial window, the man that I thought I married to be forever, stole my wallet and spent every cent of my savings. When I was discharged to the hospital, I had to walk to the nearest homeless shelter, which thank God, wasn’t far. So yes, I wanted to die. And that was my lowest point.”
Finding herself in this new situation and moving to a new city to try to rebuild wasn’t easy. “You know, I was distraught. I was discouraged. I cried a lot.” But then came the glimmer of hope. “I got in contact with a young man named Corey Ellis. And he in turn, blessed me with this place. The Salvation Army here in Nashville and that’s when my story changed.”
Trina entered our Supportive Housing program which provides for not only the basic needs of safe shelter and meals, but also a dedicated case manager to help her process where she is and what lead her there, and then develop the goals and find the resources to lead her back out into a permanent home and self-sustainability.
“Once I got to The Salvation Army, I saw how the people here were friendly they’re happy to be here. The place was immaculately clean. I had my own bed, and there was a door for privacy. All these things that people take for granted, you know. Being able to see, you know, people constantly rotating successfully out of the program, you know as I moved in, they were moving out, and I was like, wow, this really works.”
One of the most important things for Trina was the sense of security that she was able to achieve shortly after entering the program. “Not knowing where your next meal is coming from or not knowing where you gonna sleep that night. I mean, those are huge amounts of stress that are on your shoulders. After about two weeks though, I was settling in. I’m like, oh, wow, I feel like I’m at home. I’m able to see my children because you’re allowed visitors. Most importantly, and I don’t ever want to forget it. That is, place made me feel safe.”
Then the moment of success came for Trina, an exit from the Supportive Housing program into her own apartment. “The day that I received my keys to my apartment where my stuff will be. That I can call my home by myself. I was so elated. All I could do was just hug the staff and thank them for being who they were. While at The Salvation Army, I’ve learned empathy. I’ve learned sympathy. I’ve learned compassion, but the staff there possess those things and more.”
Trina wants those in the community to know that The Salvation Army Supportive Housing program is so much more than a safe place to sleep. “It’s a new level of caregiving, and I totally appreciate it because it was everything that I needed and that I have been seeking for so long wrapped up in this one place. This place is full of so many resources.”
Today, Trina is still thriving in her new home as she continues to build her new life.
“I’m a totally different person. I had no confidence. I was very vulnerable. It was hard to make decisions for myself. Things I’m doing now I never would have thought I could. Even my doctor said you can’t do these things. But I’m going to the gym. I’m working out. I’m able to see my mother once a month. I’m better handling my finances. I am ever so grateful to The Salvation Army and it’s because they allowed me the steppingstone I needed to have a new life. I had lost my way and I’m so, so, so grateful that they had the resources to help me get back on track. I came here with nothing, and I was survivor and a victim. And now I’m still surviving, But I am no longer a victim.”
Karen’s Story of Hope
Karen came to The Salvation Army after finding that mold in her apartment was making her sick.
“One of my health issues is that I have is COPD. So, when we found out that it was mold in the apartment. I had to leave immediately.” She had nowhere to go except for her car.
That’s when she came into The Salvation Army Supportive housing program to begin her journey back to permanent housing. “With so much going on and with health issues, I didn’t have anywhere to live. I felt hopeless and they just welcomed me with open arms. That meant world to me, because again, I was hopeless. I was helpless. They did for me that I couldn’t do for myself at that time.”
During her time in the program, she also found not only safe shelter, but so much more. “When I got here, they were so nice and so kind to me and so loving and so helpful. Anything that I needed, they were there. Whether it was a place to stay, something to eat, or transportation, I mean, they’re just here for you. They gave me hope. They gave me structure. I was restored. They made me feel like a person. They treated me like family.”
While in the program she was able to have not only her earthly needs, but her spiritual needs met as well. “I would go up here to the Salvation Army Church, and then, after church, they feed you. I mean, it’s just, it’s wonderful.”
Towards the end of her stay, she had to undergo surgery which required a hospitalization, but the work of her case manager continued. “When I was discharged from the hospital after a hip replacement… while I was in the hospital, they were still working on my behalf. The day that I was discharged, I moved into my new apartment.”
Today, Karen is continuing her journey in her new home. “I am grateful that they gave me the motivation to keep going. And despite my downfalls and the obstacles in my way, they were right there every step of the way encouraging me. The Salvation Army gave me a lot of hope. They restored my dignity. The keyword here is salvation. For me, it was salvation, and that’s what I got”.
Misty Ratcliff, Development and Communications Manager – Kentucky and Tennessee Division, Nashville Area Command – The Salvation Army – uss.salvationarmy.org
