Pathway of Hope Celebrates One-Year Anniversary in Alaska
This week, The Salvation Army celebrated the one-year anniversary of helping Alaskans overcome intergenerational poverty through the Pathway of Hope. The Pathway of Hope model works with community collaborators, tracks client progress, brings all of The Salvation Army’s internal resources to bear, uses hope as a measured outcome, and most importantly, focuses on the strengths of the client to build a self-sufficient and stable life. In January 2020, the Pathway of Hope model was introduced in Alaska and has helped several families achieve stable and sustainable housing and work.
Lisa Foster, Pathway of Hope Coordinator, spearheaded the model in Alaska. As a past social services program manager for the military, Foster has the experience and education to lead the growth of Pathway of Hope in Alaska.
“Pathway of Hope case management generally lasts from one to one and half years depending on the client’s needs,” said Foster (pictured left). “In the past year, we had three families leave our program because they reached their goals and no longer needed our support. We also had families leave the program for being noncompliant with expectations. We work with the applicants to ensure they are ready for our support and are motivated to work towards financial independence.”
Case manager, Vickie Casey works with Pathway of Hope clients to not only provide intensive case management and support, but help clients create an achievable plan with milestones.
“I tell everyone I can about Pathway of Hope because I see it works,” said Casey. “I see the changes it makes in people’s lives. Pathway of Hope is here in this community t make a difference. Not just for adults, but for the whole family for generations to come.”
Client Susan Brouillette (pictured left), originally from Juneau, spoke to the audience regarding her experience with the program having to have relocated to Anchorage to be close to her son who battled serious medical conditions. Burley was referred to The Salvation Army’s McKinnell House when her housing situation became unreliable. From there, she was introduced to the opportunity to work with Pathway of Hope.
“We secured stable housing for the past year and my managers want me to renew it because they don’t want me to leave [my job],” said Brouillette. “My daughter secured her first job this last summer. My brother passed away out of state from Covid, but I have been in contact with my family to keep me going. I’m eternally grateful to Lisa and Vickie for the help they’ve given me.”
“This past year, Lisa and Vicky have helped clients obtain and maintain stable housing, receive job training leading to stable employment and even save up to purchase a vehicle for reliable transportation,” said Major John Brackenbury, The Salvation Army’s divisional leader in Alaska. “Pathway of Hope in Alaska is taking a much larger step towards whole-family healing and putting an end to intergenerational poverty now and for generations to come.”
Learn more about Pathway of Hope here.