“It’s been a miracle for me, to stay somewhere safe and affordable. I was desperate.”
“I would probably be dead or in jail without this place, for sure.”
These are statements from residents of Southwest Transitions, one of the recipients of funding from La Plata County Salvation Army, whose bellringers punctuate the holiday season throughout Durango and elswewhere. Your change goes in the kettle and change comes out in the form of support for parolees of La Plata County.
Prison ministry has long been an important mission of Salvation Army, and in Durango, we are fortunate to have Southwest Transitions, a Christian, nonprofit transitional house, which can help up to 12 men with housing, job placement, AA meetings and spiritual support.
In fact, a recent generous grant will fund a building addition for AA meetings, computer education and other support services.
Richard, 55, has been at Southwest Transitions for 10 months. When he first got out of prison, he stained and sanded the building in the Animas Valley. At first, he had a bike and rode to town but now owns a car and works six days a week. He was paroled-from-prison homeless. Prospects for success in these kinds of situations are grim. Often friends and family will help out, but triggers for relapse to drugs and alcohol are all around. Southwest Transitions has a zero-tolerance policy, and those who do not comply are asked to leave.
Steve, 35, who is not on parole or probation, has been at Southwest Transitions for a few weeks. He is awaiting placement in long-term rehab, and his family needs some breathing space. The staff drives him to AA meetings daily. He does concrete work during the day, paying $400 a month for a clean room in a supportive environment. “God is the only one who can restore my life. I have to give it over to him.” He hopes to reintegrate with his family and become a stable father for his two sons.
At the Boys & Girls Club summer program, there are field trips four days a week. In previous years, the staff was sad to see some kids never get to go. When other kids went on the field trips, too many would have to stay back, as they lacked funds to attend.
Last summer, with scholarship assistance from La Plata County Salvation Army, all that changed: “Being able to go zip-lining was an opportunity I wouldn’t have been able to do if it wasn’t for the donated field trips,” one Boys & Girls Club member said. “I had so much fun, and it was by far my favorite part of the summer.”
This young lady earned her trip by working as a leader-in-training alongside an adult. Other teens, who start coming to the Boys & Girls Club out of boredom, find that if they come three times, they can put their name in a drawing and get to pick a field trip of their choice. Rafting, rock climbing and mini-golf are some of the teens’ favorite activities.
Megan Farr, the club’s office manager, says that although scholarships are offered for the summer program, the more expensive field trips must be paid by parents. Many parents cannot afford these fees. As one single mom said, “Thanks to the generosity of others, my kids got to go roller skating, bowling – things I couldn’t afford on my own. They told me they had the best summer. I don’t know what we would do without the club.”
To all of you who ring the bell, put some change in the kettle or send a check in the mail, thank you for helping the men at Southwest Transitions have a chance for a new start in life and for transforming summer for kids who can now go swimming, roller skating, rock climbing, rafting, visit Trimble Hot Springs, play mini-golf or hop on the zip-line. Thank you for your donations.
Judy Duke is chairwoman of the La Plata County Salvation Army. The organization values the diversity of our community and respects each individual’s unique gifts. It prohibits unfair or discriminatory practices against anyone because of age, sex, race, religion, national origin, disability or sexual orientation. Reach the Salvation Army at (970) 422-4221.
