Salvation Army benefits Knoxville

In response to the story titled "Possible homeless shelter concerns arise," I was shocked to read that Joyce Shoudy, director of Family Promise, would say, "We are not those people on Broadway," and "We are a benefit to the community."

"Those people" are precious children of God. They may be down, but they are not out. To infer that the Salvation Army is not a benefit to the community is fallacious.

The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name without discrimination. We have served suffering humanity in Knoxville since 1899 and touch approximately 30,000 souls in a given year through various emergency social services, feeding and homeless transitional housing programs.

The Salvation Army operates four residential programs at its North Broadway campus that equip, empower and educate clients. The Joy Baker Center is our domestic violence shelter. It provides a safe haven for battered women with children and provides counseling, a school liaison, court advocacy, referrals, meals, clothing, job placement, linens and laundry facilities.

The Bootstrap program is offered to homeless men and women who want to better themselves. Transitional Housing Program residents must commit to six months but can stay up to two years. In each of our programs, clients must maintain full-time employment and save money for permanent housing. The program includes meals, housing, counseling, life-skills classes and Bible studies. Intensive case management molds residents into motivated, self-sufficient, contributing members of our community.

"It's really going to grow their business. At a time when a lot companies are really scared, it's neat to see one of our local companies willing to take the risk and reinvest in their business," said incoming Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett.

Lake Orion resident and MPD employee Joel Hadden was proud to have the Governor visit his shop, and is also optimistic about the direction MPD is headed.

Hadden sees MPD's fortune as a forecast for national pocketbooks. "I feel like the economy is definitely boosting back, and I feel that companies like MPD are a big part of it," Hadden said.

MPD management has treated him "like family," and he loves coming to work, Hadden said. With an expansion and new hiring planned for the near future, Hadden has good reason to be optimistic.

Barnett thanked the Governor for visiting Orion Township.

"I think it's incredible that he took some time out of his schedule to come here to one of our awesome local manufacturing companies," Barnett said. "Anytime we can get our little community some attention and one of our great businesses here some attention—that's a good thing."

Bondar's conversations with the visiting chief executive were also positive. "Reading about him is one thing, but meeting him face-to-face and talking to him, I'm really impressed with him," Bondar said.