Shaniqua is a 21-year-old single mother who was referred to The Salvation Army of Broward County by a community partner. She lost her housing after experiencing a serious domestic violence issue with her roommate.

Upon arriving at The Salvation Army of Broward County, it was clear that Shaniqua was determined to not let anything get in her way of becoming financially stable and finding housing for her infant son.

Shaniqua now lives in Plymouth Colony, where she has a support system through Case Management that helped her develop life goals that she never dreamed of before. These goals included: 1) Go Back to School. 2) Secure Permanent Housing. 3) Purchase a Vehicle.

With hard work, grit, and prayer, Shaniqua was able to achieve two out of the three goals so far. She regularly meets with her case manager to talk about the direction of her life and continues setting small goals along the way. Shaniqua loves to discuss budgeting and saving funds, résumé building, and mental health care. She was also able to seek counseling services for herself and obtain subsidized childcare to help manage paying for the costs of raising her son.

Shaniqua took a leap of faith and left her job as a cashier at a local sandwich shop when she earned her CDL license. She found a better-paying job as a truck driver making long-distance deliveries of perishable and nonperishable goods. This job increased her income by $800.00 monthly. In a matter of seven months, Shaniqua was able to purchase a reliable vehicle and maintained over $3,000.00 in savings after having finished the housing assistance program. Since successfully completing the program, Shaniqua has reconnected with her family and finally secured permanent housing, living with her son and grandmother in a furnished apartment

Morgan entered The Salvation Army of Broward County as an emergency client in October 2021. He faced a hard journey after being laid off from work in 2020 due to the pandemic. Morgan used his savings to keep his apartment and pay his monthly bills, but after his savings were depleted, the unthinkable happened—he became homeless.

Morgan moved from North Carolina to Florida to escape the colder winter months. After spending a few weeks without a home in Broward County, he visited a local agency for help and was thankfully referred to The Salvation Army.

Determined to rebuild his life, Morgan took advantage of every opportunity at The Salvation Army. The first step was finding employment. With the support of his Case Manager and the Employment Specialist, he quickly secured a sales job at a local retailer. From his first paycheck, Morgan saved most of his income toward future housing. By November 2021, his hard work paid off, and he moved into his own studio apartment in Hollywood, FL.

Because Morgan never gave up on himself and found support at The Salvation Army of Broward County, his life has completely turned around for the better. Now, he plans to give back as a volunteer, hoping to pay it forward to others who have lost their jobs and need a fresh start.

When I first walked through the doors of The Salvation Army of Broward County, I had no idea how much my life was about to change. I was lost, struggling, and in desperate need of a fresh start. That’s when I met Miss Eartha.

They say God doesn’t always give us what we want, but He gives us what we need—and Miss Eartha was exactly that. She was tough, no-nonsense, and gave me one-word answers that made me wonder if she even liked me. But looking back, I realized she saw potential in me when I couldn’t see it myself.

Then she introduced me to Miss Jackie, and that’s when everything shifted. With her guidance, I was able to uncover the root of my struggles, my tendency to people-please, and most of all, self-sabotage. She didn’t just help me recognize these patterns; she gave me real strategies to break free from them.

By the time my journey with The Salvation Army came to an end, Miss Eartha had my back in a way I never expected. She, too, believed in me and made sure I believed in myself. Thanks to these two incredible women, I’ve learned to recognize warning signs, make better choices, and truly know myself.

Today, I’m living and working in Nashville, embracing a life I once thought was out of reach. I am forever grateful to The Salvation Army and the people who helped me transform into the person I was always meant to be.

“Amanda” is a 62-year-old woman who has experienced homelessness for over three years. Below is her story in her own words:

This is a true story of how I got my life and freedom back, thanks to The Salvation Army of Fort Lauderdale. I was brought to The Salvation Army because I was homeless and was sleeping at the airport.

I came to Fort Lauderdale from another city in Florida, running from a husband and a marriage filled with verbal abuse. One time, he pushed me against a nail on a wall, cutting my back so badly that it bled. It all started over something simple—I had reminded him to do a task he refused to do for two weeks. When I confronted him, he finally admitted I was right, but instead of apologizing, he told me, "It was my fault because I wouldn’t shut up." That was the moment I knew I had to leave the man I had loved, lived with, and married for 12 years.

I had to gather my strength and courage to leave. I didn’t have any money, but on the day I left, I had $5.00 in my pocket. I waited until he was out of the house, got on the bus, and never looked back. I first found a shelter that allowed overnight stays, but then COVID-19 hit, and if you weren’t already in a shelter, you had to leave. Suddenly, there was nowhere to go and no food to eat.

After two years of living on the streets, I was finally able to get into The Salvation Army. For the first time in a very long time, I was blessed with a wonderful caseworker who helped me find peace of mind, health, happiness, and freedom.

By that time, I was an old woman and very sick. I knew something was wrong with my health, but without health insurance, I had no idea what was happening to me. Thanks to The Salvation Army, I was enrolled in a health program where I was diagnosed with:

Type II Diabetes

High Blood Pressure

Anxiety Disorder

Depression

I finally got the proper medical care I needed to survive. Later, I was also diagnosed with Stage II Breast Cancer. I underwent surgery and radiation through the same program. Today, I am still receiving treatment and taking medications for my conditions.

I am now in the final stages of my journey to freedom and my new start in life. I am happy, I feel important and cared for, and for the first time in a long time, I believe I can live a longer life. I can now take care of my health, enjoy life, and owe it all to The Salvation Army and a truly wonderful Case Manager who genuinely cares.

I know that without The Salvation Army, I would be truly dead in every way possible.

“Bob” is a 57-year-old male who has experienced homelessness for over 11 years off and on.

He entered The Salvation Army of Broward County in February 2024. During his stay in the shelter, his Case Manager assisted him in filing for Social Security Disability, and he was approved in October 2024.

Since receiving approval, “Bob” has done exceptionally well in saving money to help with his transition to permanent housing.

“Bob” is currently under doctor’s care and remains consistent with all medical appointments and follow-ups. He is also proactive in scheduling transportation for his medical and other necessary appointments. Additionally, he regularly attends his scheduled weekly meetings, demonstrating his commitment to improving his situation.

Greetings to those who read this letter,

If for some reason you should have to use The Salvation Army, get back to God’s reality so you can put yourself and your life back in the hands of the Lord, have a talk with Ms. Jackie—she listens and help you know, that only yourself and God can put you together the right way, which means you are not in control.

The Salvation Army keeps you clean, dry when it rains, feeds you when you can’t feed yourself.

I spent six months there, one thing I will say to all who venture throughout The Army improve on yourself so God shine in you, because people will see and won’t believe, as I said, let Ms. Jackie help YOU help yourself.

May God bless and keep each and every one of you.

Mrs. “HP”

Pete was referred to The Salvation Army Red Shield program by a local agency.

Upon entering the program, Pete realized that the amount he was earning with his SSI benefits was not enough to support himself and move into permanent housing. Rather than giving up, he worked closely with his case manager to create a plan and set goals.

Pete took the initiative to enroll and attend on-site GED classes. His case manager then arranged a meeting with the on-site employment specialist. Pete attended the meeting, and after a few weeks, he secured a part-time job working for a local transportation agency cleaning buses.

Pete worked hard to maintain his job while ensuring he didn’t miss his GED classes or case management meetings. Because of his dedication and perseverance, he saved enough money and, with the assistance of his case manager, secured permanent housing.

Pete was thrilled to accomplish one of his major goals and is still working towards achieving his GED.

After spending almost two years in homeless shelters with her three children, she wanted to finally align her goals of returning to school and obtaining employment. During a group activity, Ashley was asked, “How would you know when you are motivated, what would it look like?” She shared with the group that she has been trying to organize her closet for months, but would get discouraged because of how much work is needed for completion. She said that the day she finally cleans her room, and everything is put in its respective place, then she will know she is motivated. With the help of the group, she created a S.M.A.R.T. goal.

After two weeks, she returned to the group beaming with joy, as she completed one drawer. The following week, she completed two more drawers, and not before long, she organized her entire house. That day, she told the group how much it meant for her to see what she had accomplished. She further shared that because she suffers from depression and anxiety, completing any task can be quite challenging and overwhelming.

Working as a cosmetologist and a kitchen aid at a local school, she was still concerned about moving into a new home on her own; but we are happy to report that she moved into a 3-bedroom house. She was so happy to share that the house she currently lives in is the exact same layout of the house she drew in her future story exercise.

After living paycheck to paycheck all her life, Cynthia was referred to The Salvation Army’s Getting Ahead group by a friend. Cynthia recently left a domestic violence situation and felt that now was the right time to get her life back on track.

During the 18-week Getting Ahead cycle, Cynthia actively participated in group discussions, shared her life experiences, and discovered that in order to be successful, she needed to motivate herself.

“After discussions with my group mates, I realized that if I had the courage to leave my abusive relationship, I had the courage within me to better my life.”

Using the tools learned in her weekly group sessions, Cynthia attained a new job at Port Everglades, earning 23% more than her previous job. She met with a credit counselor and improved her credit score by 120 points.

“Participating in The Salvation Army’s Getting Ahead program changed my life. I enjoy the security of having a savings to plan for my future.”

After living on the streets for several months, Rob entered our Open Door Shelter, seeking refuge from sleeping in inhumane settings. He wanted a different life for himself but did not quite know how to get there. Upon arrival, Rob met with a case manager and was immediately referred to the Employment Specialist. Knowing that Rob was looking for a fresh start, the Employment Specialist immediately began working with Rob to assess his job skills, build a resume, and coach him through interview questions.

Finding the right job was important to Rob. He was hoping for an opportunity to get out of South Florida and waited patiently for the right opportunity. After a few weeks, he found a job that would be perfect for him. In addition to a weekly salary, the job offered room and board, and the ability to travel. Using the techniques and skills he learned through the Career Connections program, Rob was well-prepared for the interview and got the job.

Rob is now working full-time at a job he loves. He is so thankful for the opportunity to have his fresh start, and for the first time in many years, he looks forward to his future.

The Sanchez Family, a father, mother, and their three children, lost their home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Sanchez learned about Plymouth Colony from a local shelter while the family lived in a camp outdoors for a few months.

Upon joining the Plymouth Colony program, their Case Manager met with Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez to set goals for getting out of poverty and becoming financially stable. Mr. Sanchez worked but did not make enough money to cover all the family’s needs. Mrs. Sanchez was ill with severe health issues and could not work to help support the family.

As Mrs. Sanchez recovered, she joined The Salvation Army’s GED program and began working towards completing her diploma.

Upon completion of her GED, Mrs. Sanchez was thrilled to be hired for work at a local grocery store. While both parents worked, they also joined the Getting Ahead program, which taught them communication skills, self-sufficiency, budgeting, and financial literacy.

Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez successfully graduated from Getting Ahead and are now active alumni of the program.

Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez continued to work and save money while living at Plymouth Colony to get back on their feet. They met weekly with their Case Manager to monitor their progress. By the time they completed the program, their combined family income was nearly $3,000 a month—something they never imagined.

Because of their hard work and commitment to improving their circumstances, the Sanchez Family was able to successfully secure housing on their own, without any form of subsidy. The family exited the program with savings of almost $10,000 and a new sense of personal accomplishment and appreciation for family.

Tony spent most of his 40s experiencing homelessness, going from shelter to shelter throughout South Florida. He was referred to The Salvation Army’s emergency shelter after his last rental assistance ran out. This time, Tony was determined to make the necessary life changes to meet his goal of moving into a place of his own.

Together with his case manager, Tony developed a plan to use his experience as a barber to work towards his goal.

He began working 6-7 days a week and was excited about saving money with every paycheck he received. To stay mentally and physically fit, and to save even more money, Tony rode his bike to work from Fort Lauderdale to Pompano Beach. He refused financial assistance and claimed he would rather "do it on his own."

After 9 months, Tony moved into his own one-bedroom apartment.

“The Salvation Army provided me a place to stay, three meals a day, and all the support I needed. Knowing that I was able to achieve my dream without financial assistance made my dream all the more sweet.”