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Guests share personal stories of the ARC’s impact.
The San Jose (Calif.) Adult Rehabili-tation Center’s (ARC) Alumni Banquet marked the facility’s largest celebration in its history with over 420 in attendance, including alumni, beneficiaries, family members, judicial officials, local government, law enforcement, staff and board members.
Captain John Desplancke led the event, themed “When Our Second Verse is Better Than Our First,” which celebrated sobriety, community support for the ARC program, and family members whose faith helped their loved ones through their abuse or addiction.
Major David Atkins, an ARC administrator of 30 years, was the guest speaker of the evening. He recalled a testimony of a recent graduate nicknamed “Buffalo” who came to graduation with piece of paper in his hand. It was a restraining order that has been placed on him to stay away from his family.
“See this restraining order? We don’t need this anymore,” he said as he tore it into pieces. His family stood in the chapel with him, and his fellow brothers cheered.
One mother shared her story of her homeless son who was living in a tent by a creek. One night, a storm washed away his tent and his mother found him, fighting hypothermia. The following night, he got help and a warm bed at the San Jose ARC.
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I want to thank Capt. Desplancke for his leadership in helping to move San Jose’s Annual Recognition Banquet along after being transferred from Arizona. I also have to give my thanks to one of the most wonderful person I have ever met; Maj. David Atkins. Maj. Atkins did an outstanding job and promoted the mission of the Salvation Army in real terms, with stories of the people we serve. If only we could have millions of men the likes of Maj. Atkins, oh how would we benefit as a society, nation, and Christian Family. Well done Maj. Atkins and the best to you in retirement my friend.
major David Adkins
one of the best man I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. I had the pleasure of attending this event and hearing mr. Adkins speech when mr. Adkins spoke it empowered you made you want to get up off your behind and change your life like Bart sloan said if there were more people like him the world would be a better place. The Salvation Army changed my life in many ways the biggest one being that I can be comfortable in my own skin and Who I am today and to just do the next right thing