P
resident Barack Obama welcomed
The Salvation Army's national leaders
to the White House on August 5.
Commissioners David and Barbara Jef-
frey and Lt. Colonels Ron and Carol Busroe met
with President Obama on a number of issues relat-
ing to the Army's role as a faith-based organization
working with the White House Office of Faith-based
and Neighborhood Partnerships. Under the Domestic
Policy Council, this office works to build
bridges between the federal gov-
ernment and non-profit orga-
nizations to more effectively
serve Americans in need.
Prior to meeting with
Mr. Obama, the Jef-
freys and Busroes spoke
with Melissa Rogers,
Executive Director of
the White House Faith-
Based Initiative, and Pau-
lette Aniskoff, Assistant to
the President and Director of
the White House Office for Public
Engagements. The preliminary meeting
with Rogers and Aniskoff focused on the following:
"Pathway of Hope," the Army's national initiative to
break the cycle of inter-generational poverty; Addic-
tion & Recovery, including Adult Rehabilitation Cen-
ters, corps rehabilitation centers, and Harbor Lights;
and youth programs such as the Kroc Centers, youth
clubs and educational and character-building pro-
grams. Also on the agenda were disaster preparedness,
religious exemptions and charitable deductions. The
session with senior White House officials sought to dis-
cern how the Obama Administration's priorities inter-
sect with The Salvation Army's mission and ministry.
"The Salvation Army has been committed to solving is-
sues that mirror the President's My Brother's Keeper
initiative," Commissioner David Jeffrey said. Through
this initiative, the Administration partners with cities,
businesses and foundations to assist young people of
color with mentoring, support networks and the skills
they need to find a good job or attend college, and then
work their way into the middle class.
The four officials told President
Obama that The Salvation
Army values its partnership
with Domestic Policy Coun-
cil priorities -- a coalition
that is independent of the
federal government.
The president thanked
The Salvation Army for
its "untiring efforts" to
serve the public during
times of both national and
personal disaster.
Commissioner Jeffrey asked
President Obama to protect charitable
tax deductions and to enhance Salvation Army vis-
ibility before the American public. He then prayed for
the president's leadership as well as for his family.
"The Salvation Army has been serving the American
public since 1880 through programs like Pathway Of
Hope and My Brother's Keeper," said Lt. Colonel Carol
Busroe, the Army's National Director for White House
Relations."This is nothing new to us; we've been at it
for a very long time."
5
The War Cry | OCTOBER 2014
O C T O B E R
Photo The White House
Frontlines
Commissioner Jeffrey's
n
Oval Office Prayer:
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Almighty God, Our Heavenly Father,
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We praise You for who You are and for all You have done.
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I ask that you would bless President Barack Obama and
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First Lady Michelle Obama.
c
And I ask that you would protect them and their daughters
t
from all harm.
l
I thank you for the example their family is to us all.
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I
I a
I
I
sk that you would grant the President wisdom and favor as
as
s
P
he
h
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works with world leaders and the leaders in Congress.
s.
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I ask this in the Name of our Lord and Savior,
o
Jesus Christ.
C
Amen
m
Lt. Colonels Busroe and Commissioners Jeffrey meet
with President Obama in the Oval Offi ce
Senior Army
Officials Meet with
President Obama
by
MAJOR FRANK DURACHER