Pathway of Hope: Building Stability, One Family at a Time

Every family's journey looks different, but at The Salvation Army, hope is the common thread.

Take Rachel. When her family faced a financial crisis, she didn't know where to turn.

"My life was nothing but transitions," she said. "I was sitting in the dark, saying, 'God, there's provision somewhere.' The Holy Spirit said, 'Get on Google.'"

Rachel's search led her to The Salvation Army's Pathway of Hope program. "I saw the word hope on the website and I said, 'That's what I need right now.'"

Through the Pathway of Hope program, families facing financial or personal challenges find the support they need to move from crisis to stability.

It was through this program that Rachel met Cassandra, a case manager who became part of her support circle. "She didn't treat me as another applicant. I was a person," Rachel said. With Cassandra's help, her family received both short-term assistance and long-term guidance to rebuild their confidence and stability. "God led me to the right place," she added.

Antonio, a single father raising two young daughters, found support through Pathway of Hope after the loss of his daughters' mother.

"Families need someone to cheer them on," said Tameka Patterson, Divisional Pathway of Hope Project Manager for Chicago. "The program is about more than resources. It's about connecting them with someone who listens, acknowledges, and supports them."

"One of my first goals was to get a car so I could get the girls to school and take them places," he shared. "I was starting to feel gloomy, but Pathway of Hope showed me love, held me accountable, and helped keep me afloat."

His daughters now enjoy activities at The Salvation Army community center, where they sing, dance, and dream big. "They enjoy being here," he said proudly.

Through case managers like Cassandra and dedicated leaders like Tameka, Pathway of Hope continues to change lives—one family at a time.

Watch Rachel and Antonio share their stories and see how The Salvation Army's Pathway of Hope is helping Chicago families find stability, purpose, and hope for the future.