Front Lines

News briefs from the West.
Listen to this article

We make our own plans, but the Lord decides where we will go. (Proverbs 16:9 CEV)

by Karen Gleason

Helping men on the ‘Path to Prosperity’
With a $17,000 grant from Catholic Healthcare West (CHW), the San Bernardino (Calif.) Citadel Corps will augment healthcare—including dentistry and health screenings—for the men in its Path to Prosperity transitional/recovery program.

“Many health problems face men recovering from addiction,” said Captain Stephen Ball, San Bernardino corps officer. “Often they have dental problems…which can lead to more serious health problems.”

Steve Barron, president of St. Bernardine Medical Center (owned by CHW), said “We appreciate the work they do, and are happy to help them.”

Kroc Center gets beautification award
DeSantis Landscapes in Salem, Ore., announced its Grand Award—for work at Salem’s Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center—in the 2010 Annual Environmental Improvement Awards Program, sponsored by the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET).

“The team from DeSantis Landscapes…was professional, talented and just a great partner,” Major Donna Ames, executive director, said.

Highlights include a 52-zone centrally controlled irrigation system, entry water feature of four boulders designed to mimic a Northwest forest, a prayer garden with a decomposed granite surface, nearly 100,000 sqaure feet of lawn area and 35,000 plants and trees.

Salvation Army provides day shelter in Mesa County
When Grand Junction (Colo.) Corps Officers Captains Dan and Terrie Wilson saw a news report on homeless families—often mothers with children too young for school—that had no place to go during the cold days once their night shelters closed, they knew they had to help. They transformed a Salvation Army gym into a playroom with books, games, a nursery and even a workout center for the moms.

Alamogordo’s ‘crafterganza’
Lt. Stephanie Lueras, corps officer with her husband Bob in Alamogordo, N.M., is expanding the horizon of her women’s ministry group. Known for its handmade quilts that they donate to Habitat for Humanity, Lueras wanted to create a program that would also appeal to non-quilters.

Beginning in February, the corps—and kitchen—will be open three days a week for all crafters who want to talk and eat while working on their projects.

Lueras is looking forward to seeing more women socializing, sharing and networking.

Latte, anyone?
Every Friday night, the Farmington (N.M) Corps’ Underground Cyber Café opens its doors to local youth. Corps Officers Majors Brian and Cindy Anderson started the coffee house to give teens an alternative to just “hanging out.”

The café offers activities including a full-size pool table, air hockey and Foosball, a widescreen TV connected to a Wii game console, and another widescreen hooked up to an Xbox 360.

Lattes, cappuccinos and Italian soft drinks are available and pre-approved movies are shown throughout the evening.

The Underground opens at 6:30 p.m. and closes around 11—“or whenever the last parent shows up,” Anderson said.

You May Also Like