Salvation Army Path to Prosperity Program Prepares Men for Good Jobs
The court mandated that parolee Tyler enroll in a substance abuse program. He chose The Salvation Army and now says, “It’s okay to be sober. The program completely changed how I make decisions. And doors have been opening. I want to see how far I can go. ”
“The Salvation Army in San Bernardino is proud of the valuable impact the Path to Prosperity brings into the lives of its participants as they are encouraged and supported to work their way back to lifetime stability. We especially appreciate the generosity of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians for supporting this program.”
REDLANDS, CA. Serving the cities of San Bernardino, Redlands, Highland, Rialto, Loma Linda, Colton, Yucaipa, Calimesa, Bloomington, Mentone, Grand Terrace, Muscoy, Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs, The Salvation Army’s Path to Prosperity Program is a transitional residential living program that lasts six to 24 months for men who have completed a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program and now need further assistance to start or resume a productive, substance-free life.
During this program, men have the opportunity to adapt to a stable, secure living environment away from any former contacts or relationships that were part of their prior substance abuse lifestyle. They enjoy the benefits of regular case management along with educational opportunities that range from completing a GED to enrolling in a community college vocational certificate program and even a four-year college degree major, along with assistance in finding and holding good employment.
“I ended up coming to Pathways. That was the biggest blessing I was able to receive in my life,” Path to Prosperity graduate Jose recalls. Lost, and wanting to make a change, Jose decided to put his trust in God and enter the program. After a couple of months, he began working and going to school. He has gained the skills and confidence to become a productive member of society.
When men come out of rehabilitation for their drug or alcohol abuse problem, many lack the skills to secure and hold a job. Path to Prosperity serves to prepare these rehabilitated men to gain the education and skills that they need to get and hold onto a good job.
Many of the men find that once they have been in the program for a while, their goals change; they find dreams and talents they didn’t know they had. For men enrolled in college programs, each semester finds Path to Prosperity students on the Dean’s List.
Recent program graduate Jose went on to say, “I was looking for guidance, which I didn’t know, and the staff here helped me with that.”
The Salvation Army Hospitality House Program Manager Naomi Goforth
Program Director Naomi Goforth says, “Path to Prosperity takes men coming out of rehab and works with them so that they can return to their families and homes with the skills they need to maintain lifetime stability.”
She goes on to note that the Path to Prosperity program’s structure makes the initial transition fairly easy for participants. The real challenge is getting the men back into the real world, which is unstructured and full of random events that can knock a person off their newly established routine.
Often, the men will still have legal requirements to fulfill, and the Salvation Army stays in touch with graduates to check on how they are doing. In some cases, program graduates move into positions with The Salvation Army. Recent grad Gabriel now repairs donated items and attends regular Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings to stay clean and sober.
Recent grad Gabriel now repairs donated items and attends regular Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings to stay clean and sober.
Last year, Sean was homeless. Now he has his family back again. “I’m a glassblower now and I only wish that I had known about The Salvation Army sooner,” he says. “The Path to Prosperity program is like one big family.”
The court mandated that parolee Tyler enroll in a substance abuse program. He chose The Salvation Army and now says, “It’s okay to be sober. The program completely changed how I make decisions. And doors have been opening. I want to see how far I can go.”
Path to Prosperity works with probation and parole officers. A designated case manager manages each participant according to his case requirements. No one gets lost in the shuffle.
Goforth says, “The Salvation Army in San Bernardino is proud of the valuable impact the Path to Prosperity brings into the lives of its participants as they are encouraged and supported to work their way back to lifetime stability. We especially appreciate the generosity of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians for supporting this program.”
For more information call (909) 792-6868. Donations can be made online at SanBernardino.SalvationArmy.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY, specifying that you want your donation applied to San Bernardino Corps in California.
About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church and offers evangelical programs for boys, girls, and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1885, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY, specifying that you want your donation applied to San Bernardino Corps in California.
Our local number is (909) 792-6868.