Stories

Helping Our Neighbors In Need - Melissa

When Melissa L. walked into The Salvation Army’s Corps Community Center in Farmington Hills one day, her mind was heavy with worries of debt and not enough money to keep up with it. How had she gotten here? She grew up in the suburbs after all, in a nice home with her parents and three siblings. Her father was a doctor. However, a series of events and one devastating family death left her alone and unemployed. When she arrived to The Salvation Army, they told her they would be able to assist her with the majority of her problems...(full story)

Helping Our Neighbors In Need - Theo

Theo was 21 years old when a car accident left him with a closed head injury, broken hip and broken shoulder. He was in a coma for a month, and spent the next six months in the hospital. He no longer requires a cane for his physical injuries, but the head trauma has kept him disabled. As money got tighter, and times tougher, he struggled. He then learned about The Salvation Army's feeding program, and now is able to receive the assistance he needs...(full story)

When it's time for a new start

Sarah Allan moved to Michigan last spring to get away from the heartache and danger of a relationship that was no longer healthy for her or her children. She shares, "When I cam here from out of state, it really was a desperate move to start putting things back together. Our lives were broken. I was trying to sort my life out on my own with the help of family and another agency but it wasn't happening." After a few months, a friend of the family suggested contacting The Salvation Army MATTS Shelter in Warren...(full story)

For the homeless and hungry

As a result of her broken family, Felicia Cathey's childhood vanished. The consequences followed her for more than 20 years. By age 15 she was living on her own, drinking more and viewing life like it was one big party. Amazingly, she graduated high school with honors but found after school that she could get a job but could never manage to keep it. Her addiction spiralled out of control...(full story)

When disaster strikes a community

From an early age, 78-year-old Ross Smith of Plymouth Township was aware of his father's deep respect for The Salvation Army and held the organization in similar high regard. But Ross never expected to experience The Salvation Army's compassion first hand. And certainly not at this stage in life-long retired from a successful career teaching overseas, now living in a quiet suburban community. After all, what could he possibly need from The Salvation Army? (full story)

For families in a tough economy

Robert Spreague and his wife have lived in the neighborhood near the Farmington Hills Corps for close to thirty years. During that time, life has seen its share of ups and downs. But Bob says nothing has been more difficult than the past three years. He was laid off in 2006 and was looking for work until just three months ago when he finally landed a welding job with a manufacturer in Ferndale...(full story)