At the Frontier

Many seniors who live by themselves stay busy in community, especially at The Salvation Army Western Territory's Silvercrest residences for seniors. Across the western U.S., some 3,000 people live in these independent living communities. And now, because of COVID-19, they're inside their own apartments, together but apart. That's why in Chula Vista, California, Karin Ingrande initiated a creative way to keep seniors engaged and active—balcony music sessions.

There's no question a pandemic is stressful—for everyone. But there's six key things you can do to lessen the impact of stress on your and your kids' health. California Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke Harris is on the show to share what's inside her Playbook on Stress Relief during COVID-19 and what you can do every day, at home, to help support your mental and physical health.

Hunger is a new reality for many as the coronavirus has taken hold of communities across the country, and as a result, The Salvation Army has stepped up its services to meet the need.

In Denver, Lt. Sarah Aguirre said the Denver West Adams Corps has increased the amount of food it distributes by 75 percent. She's on the show to share how she's helping in the midst of COVID-19 and what she is seeing from the frontlines of service.

At this point, I think it's safe to say no one has gone untouched by this crisis. The outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus—called COVID-19—was first declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, and it has steadily rolled into more than 200 countries and territories around the world.

The first case appeared in the U.S. in late January 2020, with America now having the most confirmed active cases in the world.

It's invaded every aspect of life as we know it with widespread "stay at home" orders shuttering businesses, closing schools and canceling events of all kinds. I recorded this podcast episode in a closet at home, rather than a studio, while my 2-year-old and 2-month-old nap nearby. These are strange and scary days.

And while things have slowed down in many areas, for The Salvation Army everything has ramped up.

The Salvation Army is in emergency response mode across the country. All Salvation Army facilities are available for response efforts and all Salvation Army officers (or pastors) and personnel are assigned to emergency response, providing emergency food programs and emergency shelter services in just about every zip code.

You may remember back in episode 21 of this podcast, I set out to provide as complete an overview as possible on the extensive work of The Salvation Army and its six key pillars of service as the organization annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardships through a range of social services.

With this episode, we're kicking off a new series, called "meet the helpers." In the episodes to come, I'll be introducing you to those on the front lines of this crisis, those working every day to meet human need—now more than ever.

Show highlights include:

• Wide net: No one has gone untouched by the coronavirus crisis.
• The Salvation Army's mission: "To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination."
• A glimpse into the emergency disaster response effort happening in each of the key pillars:
• • The Salvation Army is there for those with nowhere to go, from thrift stores turned emergency shelters to temporary structures and rent and utility assistance.
  • The Salvation Army is there for the hungry, including hot meals and food boxes for delivery and drive-thru pick up.
  • The Salvation Army is there for children, providing day care for children of first responders and activity bags for those at home.
  • The Salvation Army is there for seniors, ensuring they receive food and supplies, performing wellness checks by phone and email, teaching social media skills to help them stay connected, offering online shopping assistance and simply someone to talk to.
  • The Salvation Army is there for those in need of recovery, keeping program participants safe on closed campuses, and engaging them in service projects and fun.
  • Worship in The Salvation Army continues with services conducted via Facebook Live and many leaders are getting creative in how they connect with people

Good words from Christin Thieme in this show:

"While things have slowed down in many areas, for The Salvation Army everything has ramped up."

"All Salvation Army facilities are available for response efforts and all Salvation Army officers and personnel are assigned to emergency response, providing emergency food programs and emergency shelter services in just about every zip code."

"In The Salvation Army, we believe that hope is greater than fear."

Download this episode wherever you get your podcasts. Find show notes for this episode and more at caringmagazine.org/podcast. Connect with Christin Thieme via Caring Magazine.

When law enforcement or Child Protective Services removes a little one from their home due to neglect or abuse, where do they go?

In Spokane, Washington, many come to Sally's House—an emergency receiving facility of The Salvation Army for those ages 2 to 12 years old.

Since it opened in 2002, 4,000 children have come through its doors averaging a stay of 68 days.

During that time, says Becky Hoogstad, the number one goal is to make sure they know they are safe and loved.

Becky is the program manager of Sally's House and a member of The Salvation Army Spokane Corps, or church. She earned a degree in social work and when Sally's House opened soon after, she knew it was where she needed to be.

While at Sally's House, children receive clean clothing and nutritious food, they have a regular schedule of activities and attend school or the in-house preschool, and they are cared for—playing a board game or being read to, often for the first time.

Becky is on the show to share more about Sally's House and how it provides a home for 20 children at a time.

Find show notes for this episode and more at caringmagazine.org/podcast.

You've heard us talk about The Salvation Army's commitment to double its impact on homelessness in the West over the next 5 years. (And if you missed it, head back to episode 6 for a full rundown of what this initiative, called The Way Out, entails.)

California has one of the highest rates of homelessness in the country—a fact you can't miss in its largest metropolitan areas.

And one—a longtime magnet for fortune-seekers, immigrants and artists, known for its steep rolling hills, Victorian architecture, iconic cable cars and famous bridge, the city by the bay paints a picture of the crisis. In San Francisco, some 8,000 people currently live on the streets—an increase of 17 percent since 2017. But it's more than a statistic—that's 8,000 individual people without a place to call home.

And so, The Salvation Army in San Francisco has a plan to help address the crisis utilizing its property holdings combined with its existing rehabilitation efforts. In essence, The Salvation Army aims to build a combination of "next-step" and permanent affordable housing along with a workforce development program that will add 1,500 beds to the current housing network available in the city. And at the same time, it will create a clear continuum of care for individuals experiencing homelessness.

It's a Live-Work-Love model, said Theo Ellington, the Director of Homeless Initiatives and Community Development for The Salvation Army in San Francisco. A native to the city who holds a master's degree in Urban Affairs from the University of San Francisco and with over a decade of experience in public affairs and community development, Theo is working with The Salvation Army to meet people where they are in this crisis of homelessness because, as he says, we have a moral and spiritual obligation to do so.

He's on the show to share more about this model and The Salvation Army's strategy for implementing it in the months ahead.

Find show notes for this episode and more at caringmagazine.org/podcast.

What does it mean when someone knows you? When they stop and ask you by name how things are going?

It's perhaps the simplest and most meaningful way to impact a young person, according to Captain Angela Morrow, who leads The Salvation Army Centennial Corps—or church—with her husband as Corps Officer in Centennial, Colorado.

She grew up attending Salvation Army youth programs and while she said she thought she was going for the fun and friends, it was so much more than that. As she grew, she realized she wanted to be one of those key leaders who make an impact—to be present and available to people, especially youth.

It's Captain Angela's philosophy that if you instill confidence in a young person today, they'll be ready to face tomorrow.

And so, she's been instrumental in starting activities just for the kids—from an after-school program to a beginning youth band, choir, piano and guitar lessons, a character-building troops program, and more.

Captain Angela is on the show today to share more about her philosophy and efforts for youth in her community. As she tells the kids—this is a safe place where you can be yourself.

Find show notes for this episode and more at caringmagazine.org/podcast.

According to the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 20 million Americans ages 12 and older battle a substance use disorder.

The effects range from deteriorating one's physical health, to impairing mental functioning and damaging the overall spirit of who they are.

But think about it: that's also 20 million families across the U.S. who are directly impacted by addiction—financially, physically and psychologically. And those effects are painful.

But as Dave Robbins will tell any family in the throes of it, God has a plan for your child's life and it doesn't include addiction.

Dave is a manager and senior VP of Leidos Innovations Center and on the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board. He and his wife experienced the effects of addiction on their family as they watched and helped to navigate through it with their daughter.

He's on the show to share what he learned about addiction, recovery and the family's role in it. And he shares his own "burning bush" moment at a Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center chapel—and why he keeps coming back years later.

Find show notes for this episode and more at caringmagazine.org/podcast.

What motivates a person to "do good" and why would one choose to do so alongside The Salvation Army?

That's what Craig Darian is sharing on today's episode.

Craig is a longtime executive, producer and businessman in the entertainment industry who has owned and operated several companies.

Currently, as Co-Chairman and CEO of Occidental Entertainment Group Holdings, Inc., Craig presides over five operating divisions, including 15 sound stages, and roughly three dozen office buildings with about 1 million sq. ft. of production, editorial and creative office space.

As Co-Chairman and CEO of Tricor Entertainment, Inc., Craig has produced films with the likes of Robert DeNiro, Anthony Hopkins, and Kathy Bates. Movies like King Kong, Spider-Man, Pirates of the Caribbean, Pearl Harbor and Meet the Parents.

As Chairman and CEO of Darian Management Group, LLC, Craig has represented a wide range of clients doing business in the motion picture, television and music industries.

He is a longtime voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, Producers Guild of America, Television Academy and Los Angeles County Bar Association.

And he serves on the Board of Directors for the Los Angeles Metro Board of The Salvation Army; Shakespeare Center of LA, where he is president of the board, and St. Anne's. In fact, in April 2019, he was honored with an Angel Award by St. Anne's, along with Mayor Eric Garcetti.

Yet, as Craig will tell you, he prefers the term "humanitarian" to "philanthropist" so the emphasis is on the recipient rather than the giver because it's his moral imperative, he believes, to give back.

Find show notes for this episode and more at caringmagazine.org/podcast.

You've seen the mugs, the t-shirts, the screensavers…

"Follow your heart"

"Believe in yourself"

You may have even had someone say something to the effect of: "God won't give you more than you can handle" or "God just wants me to be happy."

But there's a danger in these clichés we often encounter—they're not biblical.

As longtime church planter and pastor Shane Pruitt says, Jesus isn't made of Play-Doh. He isn't moldable to suit our needs. And life isn't really about our own happiness or fulfillment. Instead, he says, joy is built on Christ and we can find fulfillment by following someone greater than ourselves.

Shane is the Director of Next Gen Evangelism for the North American Mission Board. He holds a doctorate degree in Clinical Christian Counseling and frequently speaks on the truth of the Bible. He's been published everywhere from Relevant Magazine to Christianity Today and is the author of a new book: "9 Common Lies Christians Believe and Why God's Truth is Infinitely Better."

He's on the show today to share more about these common lies, why they can get us into trouble, and where to look instead.

Find show notes for this episode and more at caringmagazine.org/podcast.