Rachael Marlar recently moved from Texas to Missouri to take care of her grandchildren and her daughter, who had been fighting a drug addiction.
Through the Salvation Army's Pathway to Hope program, Marlar received a grant for a car.
"My mom has a small vehicle, and I've been working to get a new car because going place to place with a family with four small children very far is difficult," Marlar said. "This will help us get on our feet. It will make it easier to take the kids to school and doctor's appointments."
Being part of the program has given Marlar a way to stay optimistic about fixing things in her life - and her daughter's - as well as helping financially toward the purchase of a car.
Her daughter, Candi, is now out of rehab and recently had her fourth child, who entered the world totally clean. Everyone is doing a lot better, and the family is starting to enjoy life again.
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Questions may be directed to Ann Bax, president of United Way of Central Missouri, at 636-4100 or ann.bax@unitedwayce…."My father worked as an economist with the state for several years, and after he passed away last Christmas, my mother had bypass surgery in February - and with me dealing with lupus, things were quite challenging," Marlar said. "My mom opened up her home to us, and with this program, God is opening doors for us. The kids have activities through the church, and they (The Salvation Army) have been our cheerleaders. I knew everything I needed to do, but I just couldn't get myself to take the steps on the way. They told me I didn't have to be a superwoman. They encouraged me and lifted me up."
Corps Officer Lt. Rachel White said the Pathway to Hope program is for those who want something better for their lives.
"It's to help people get to where they're at a place of security and stability," White said. "We're there to work with them on their financial situation, getting housing, etc. It's an intensive case management program. While it is open to everyone, only a few get through it successfully."
Marlar saw she was not happy, according to White, and was willing to do the work to get to where she wanted to be.
"We've been doing this for several years, and we usually have 10 at a time go through the program. But we are looking to expand," White said. "As long as it takes to get them where they want to be in life, but they have to step up, do job searches, do social service work. We also hope to offer spiritual service. A lot of times the people going through don't want that, but it's been great to see where Rachael is spiritually in her walk in life."
For more than 90 years, The Salvation Army has been a vital part of the Jefferson City area community. The organization is best known for operating the Center of Hope, a 40-bed shelter. It is the only shelter in the area where parents and their children, along with single men and women, can live and work to overcome homelessness. The Salvation Army provides residents three meals a day, referral services and life skills classes.
The Salvation Army also has a food pantry with distributions Tuesday and Friday, and for a brief time on Thursday mornings, clothing vouchers are given out.