War Cry - November, 2014 Page 28

The War Cry | NOVEMBER 2014

ily, founders of the Hallmark Corporation, to improve
the quality of life for all people. One of the foundation's
concerns is to serve vulnerable populations, and chil-
dren in particular. According to Angela Smart, Pro-
gram Officer, the foundation chose to fund POH be-
cause it is different and effective. "The Army's good
stewardship is a factor, as is the track record of suc-
cess as shown in the measurements applied, and the

careful reporting the Army submits
periodically. We measure the cost

per person versus the cost to soci-

ety if Pathway did not exist. The fact

that the Army identifies the right cli-

ents is critical for us, as is the dis-

ciplined goal setting and the way it

offers central access to the informa-
tion and services participants need.

"The face of poverty is changing," Smart continues. It is

not limited to inner�cities. The fact that the initiative
operates in Salvation Army locations in outlying commu-
nities means a wider population has access to services."

As Major Charles Smith, (until recently divisional

commander before moving to another appointment), ex-
plains, "When we say POH doubles the impact of re-
sources, this takes into account the fact that future gen-
erations, having escaped the cycle of poverty, will not be
caught in a lifestyle of dependency but will make posi-
tive contributions to society. Our motto for POH is `All
of us for each of you. This is true for the case manag-
ers working with clients to the many community part-
ners who come alongside the Army so we can draw on
resources to meet a variety of needs. The Army itself
has many such resources, ranging from basic assistance
to childcare and character building. We are thankful
for the strong sense of community in Kansas City, for
the respect the Army has, and the way so many contrib-
ute time, talent and resources so we can coach and
guide POH families on the path to positive change."

An analysis by Mr. Sam Bennett, Assistant Vice

President of Commerce Bank in Kansas City and Pro-
gram Officer for the William T. Kemper Foundation,
among others, summarizes the rationale for his foun-
dation's funding of POH:

"Traditional emergency assistance serves basic

needs, but does little to remove the barriers to
success that keep clients moving from crisis to
crisis. Many social service agencies claim to
be moving their clients toward self sufficiency,
with mixed results. When an agency the size
and influence of The Salvation Army begins to

move away from a system of emergency assis-
tance to one of helping clients to no longer need
assistance, it has the potential to substantially
change the paradigm of nonprofit culture."

Sources of financial support also include the trans-

portation company KC Southern, the George H. Da-
vis Trust and private donations designated for POH.
The many partners with which the Army collaborates
to pool resources is also impressive. These include
the Alliance for Economic Inclusion, Family Coali-
tion, HUD Continuums of Care, MAAC Agency Rela-
tions Committee and the Kansas City Police Depart-
ment. Referral agencies include Catholic Charities,

Full Employment Council, Project Breakthrough,
Rosedale Ridge Apartments and Supportive Services

for Veteran Families. (Find complete listings in Path-

way of Hope Annual Report at www.thewarcry.org.)

he potential of POH rests in the hands of the
professional case managers and the relation-
ships they build with their clients. The goal is

for each case manager to handle 11 clients. Some by
necessity handle up to double the number. "Our cli-
ents are not just statistics. We come alongside each
one to gain their trust, to be authentic with them and
to learn over the long haul what problems and ob-
stacles they face that they need help with," says My-
lie Hadden, case manager for Northland Corps. "We
don't condescend." She holds higher degrees in home
economics and specializes in educating POH par-
ticipants in essential skills such as time manage-
ment, budgeting and finding vocational training.

To see the rapport between case manager and client is

to know that the underlying motivation is compassion,
respect and the willingness to go the extra mile to let the
client know they matter, and that someone cares.

"I am doing this myself as a single parent, trying to get a

new start. I needed someone to come alongside me and
help me be positive," says Lorrie, who first contacted the

Army for help with her light bill. With Mylie's help, she is

close to graduating from vocational training while holding
down a job and caring for her five and nine year�olds.

Case managers engage in intensive counsel-

ing, which often involves home visits to better de-
termine the circumstances and personal dilem-
mas that trap a family in recurring crisis.

Goals clients establish include finding afford-

able daycare, debt reduction, obtaining a GED, vo-
cational training, finding safe and affordable hous-
ing, improving family relationships/parenting

Ricky Harris