Listen to this article
Homeless. Abandoned. Molested. All by the age of 12.
When the police found young Lynn McCoy alone in a Greyhound bus station in 1952, hiding in a toilet stall, there was no one to call. So they called The Salvation Army. And the rest is history.
Below is a transcript of the video edited for readability.
Lynn McCoy: My mother was an 18-year-old, unwed mother. I went to relatives here and there, but there was nowhere for me to go. I became homeless. I was 12.
I had a teacher who took me to meet some friends of hers. They owned a baby store in San Francisco, and eventually they asked me to come and live with them. It was just like a dream come true.
But then one night he came into my room. I could have ended it if I’d screamed. But I was desperately wanting to be a part of a family. I fought him as hard as I could. But the inevitable happened. How long it lasted, weeks, months, I honestly don’t remember. But what I do remember is looking over him one night and his wife was standing there. He told her that I had let him on. And they told me I had to leave.
It broke my heart. I walked to the Greyhound bus depot, went into the ladies room, sat on that toilet with my legs pulled up so no one could see me. It was the most terrifying night of my life. The next day, the police came and they asked me who they could call. There was no one. So they called The Salvation Army.
And about an hour later, two Salvation Army officers, they looked like angels, walked in, Major Helga Dempster and Brigadier Ada Van Hayslen. She was always one of the closest and most precious people in my life. They put their arms around me, they told me I was safe; that no one would ever hurt me again.
It was wonderful. I got a uniform. I wore a bonnet, which they don’t wear now. And I was a part of something. I was loved. I was involved, helping people.
They gave me values: that you love people, that wherever we are, we are to be the hands and feet of Christ extended. And today I am the President of the board for The Salvation Army here in Marysville [Washington]. I’m giving back part of what I was given.
The Salvation Army reaches out to people that the world has given up on, and I am living proof of that. I don’t know what would have happened if they hadn’t found me. That’s frightening. But they gave me everything.
You know, the world talks about passing away and dying. In The Salvation Army, you’re Promoted to Glory, to be with Christ. And when God calls me home, I will be Promoted to Glory.
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you—I have called you by name; you are mine” (Is. 43:1).
Do Good:
- See more videos like this in our video feed.
- See how The Salvation Army fights homelessness.
- Did you know The Salvation Army served more than 23 million Americans last year fighting hunger, homelessness, substance abuse and more—all in a fight for good? Where can you help? Take our quiz to find your cause and learn how you can join in today.
Download this page as a PDF
