Salvation Army gets homeless back on their feet

In early October, Frankie Brown found herself in a circumstance she could have never imagined: She was homeless.

The 55-year-old mother and grandmother had been living and working in St. Louis until June. She was laid off from the hotel where she worked as a night auditor and began searching desperately for employment. In a seemingly hopeless economy, time was dwindling, bills were coming due and she couldn't find work.

So she pursued her only option. She moved back to her native Alabama with relatives to help care for an ailing family member.

Her plan was to seek employment and begin her life again, but those plans were dashed when things didn't work out with her family. Once again, she was homeless.

A cousin brought her to the Shoals where she got help from the Salvation Army. She found lodging on the Salvation Army's campus, in the transition housing units. It's lodging for women in desperate circumstances who are trying to help themselves.

Brown came in mid-October and began searching for a job. With no transportation, she walked.

"I looked everywhere, fast food restaurants, countless retail stores and businesses," she said. "I went to a job fair, but came up empty. There's no telling how many miles I walked job hunting."

Then, about three weeks ago, she got a lead on a job in the housekeeping department at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital in Florence. She got an interview and walked there and back, about eight miles round trip, in the driving rain.

She got the job.

"The boss saw that I was soaking wet and said he couldn't believe I'd walked in the rain all that way," she said. "I just told him I was desperate for a job and the rain wasn't going to cause me to miss this interview."

She began her new job Nov. 17 and considers it a blessing.

"I work with very nice people and I'm making money and I will get back on my feet," she said. "This is where I want to start over. I love this area and people have been so nice to me, especially the people at the Salvation Army. I could never repay their kindness. They've provided shelter but also food and clothing. I had nothing and couldn't see my way out of this mess six weeks ago when I came here."

Brown will be allowed to live in transition housing until she saves enough money to get out on her own. She'll search for an apartment within walking distance to work. Then she'll begin saving money for a vehicle.

"When you go through something like this, you question if you'll ever have any quality of life again," Brown said. "As for the Salvation Army, they'll help anyone who is truly trying to help themselves. I had almost no belongings and they provided me clothing, even a nice outfit to interview in, and then scrubs when I had to report for work. How do you say thanks for that kind of help?"

Salvation Army Captain Bill Mockabee said Brown has been an inspiration to the staff and other clients.

"She has a determination to better herself and get back on her feet, and it's been amazing to watch, really," he said. "She was out job hunting every day no matter what the weather. She has truly been an example of the kind of human spirit we value here."

Brown said she's just working toward the same goals everyone has.

"I want to be independent again," Brown said. "I want to be able to travel and see my children and grandchildren and I want to be able to put some money back. And, I want to be able to help other people."

In order for the Salvation Army to continue helping others in the area, donations are greatly needed. The TimesDaily-sponsored Empty Table Fund goes directly to the Salvation Army to help people such as Brown, and others, who need help either getting re-established in life or making ends meet. The fund, in its 34th year, also helps offset the costs associated with the Salvation Army's Christmas assistance programs. This year more than 1,800 children's names, representing needy families in the area, are on the Salvation Army's Angel Tree in Regency Square Mall. The families of those children also receive food for the holidays.

The fund has raised $1,200 so far towards its goal of $35,000. Contributions will be collected through the end of December.

To contribute to the Empty Table Fund, donations may be brought by the TimesDaily office at 219 W. Tennessee Street, Florence, or mailed to TimesDaily, P.O. Box 797, Florence, AL, 35631.

Contributions to the fund so far include the following: United Methodist Women of Rogersville United Methodist Church, $50; Beaconhill Ministries Inc., $350; James H. Barker, $100; Devon King, $50; Elizabeth and James Patton, $100; Presbyterian Women of First Presbyterian Church, Florence, $150; Mrs. L.C. Morgan, Jr., $100; Mary Ann Murphy, $25; anonymous, $100; anonymous, $50; Lee and Johnnie Butler, $100; Alice S. Landis, $25.

Lisa Singleton-Rickman can be reached at 740-5735 or lisa.singleton-rickman@TimesDaily.com.