Every month, we feature a United Way Partner Agency’s client experience, demonstrating the impact that donations to United Way of Sheboygan County are making. This month’s client experience was submitted directly by Abby Dahmer, Emergency Lodge Case Manager at The Salvation Army Sheboygan, as part of their annual application for The Emergency Lodge and Transitional Living program funding.

"Joe* is a 43-year-old man with a long history of depression and alcohol addiction. Joe lost his family, job, and home due to his continued drinking. He came to The Salvation Army for help and was a resident of the Emergency Shelter for three months followed by participation in the Transitional Living Program. While receiving services, Joe sought treatment for his depression and alcohol addiction and began attending Alcoholics Anonymous on a regular basis. Joe was able to sustain his sobriety and obtained full time work in manufacturing with an area company. Joe entered the Transitional Living Program following his time in the Emergency Lodge and successfully completed the program, able to sustain his apartment and other needs independently. 
In 2014, just before Thanksgiving, Joe came into The Salvation Army carrying a large box. He asked to speak with Abby, his Case Manager during his time as a resident. When Abby asked how he was doing, Joe replied, “excellent!” Asked if he had the same job, he replied that he did not, explaining that, while he remained working for the same company, he had been promoted to management and now headed his department. When asked if he still had his apartment, Joe answered no. He had recently moved out after purchasing a home in the city of Sheboygan. Finally, when asked about his visit that day, Joe explained that he remembered from his time as a client that The Salvation Army prepared a Thanksgiving meal for its residents. Now that he was able, he had come to donate a turkey for that meal.

Joe’s is a wonderful story, highlighting the power of the human spirit and the ability to persevere, despite seemingly intractable obstacles. The Salvation Army provided for Joe’s immediate needs and connected him to further resources within the community. Using this foundation to rebuild his life, Joe not only continued to maintain his sobriety, a job and stable housing but had attained three years of recovery, a promotion and home ownership. Joe is truly an example of a life come full-circle: from a Salvation Army client in need of assistance to a donor wishing to share his blessings with those in need.”

*Name changed to protect client confidentiality