At Home at The Salvation Army
Edward and his service dog, Elizabeth, can be seen regularly around The Salvation Army in Bremerton. Edward is a Kitsap County native who came to The Salvation Army when he served as Chairperson for an AA group that used the facility for meetings.
"Through working here, and through my program, I owe my life to this place," Edward says.
Edward lived in a facility across the street from The Salvation Army for two years while dealing with addiction issues stemming from the death of his mother. While he had not used the services, he knows the people here, and considers himself one of them. After learning more about the programs, he began volunteering and was soon working as a bell ringer and then a Shelter Coordinator. He refers to The Salvation Army as his second family and says he has always felt welcome, even Elizabeth has her own bed at the Corps while he's working.
Edward explains that many people are afraid to enter into a system, because they believe systems have failed them in the past, but the most rewarding part of his work is seeing people who do go through the programs and are successful. If someone needs help, he would encourage them to keep coming to The Salvation Army, and to keep using the services. "This is it. God's work is happening here. That's the bottom line," Edward says. He would also encourage people to volunteer. When asked the The Salvation Army over any other program, he explains that it's people from here helping people from here.
"When people are at the bottom and they need up, The Salvation Army is a good part of that ladder."
Photo by Blake Torres