Camlin: When Faith Triumphs Over Fear
Life can change in the blink of an eye. For Camlin, a sudden rough divorce turned her world upside down, forcing her to leave her home in the Pacific Northwest. Seeking a fresh start, she moved to Monroe, Louisiana. But even as she clung to hope, life continued to test her. Her savings dwindled quickly, leaving her without a place to stay, and a health crisis landed her in the hospital. Alone and out of options, she faced an uncertain future.
After being discharged from the hospital, Camlin found herself on the front steps of The Salvation Army’s Center of Hope shelter, with only a small bag of belongings. "I was dropped off at the front steps of the shelter with literally the clothes on my back," she recalls. "Without any family or friends, this was the only place the hospital staff knew to bring me, where I could find any help."
At the Center of Hope, Camlin was greeted by Captain Jerome Casey, the local Salvation Army commander. Captain Casey's warm welcome provided not just a hot meal and a safe place to sleep, but something Camlin had been missing for a long time—spiritual guidance. The kindness and support she found there planted the seeds of hope and little by little, Camlin began to rebuild her life and faith.
“What impacted me the most was the spiritual aspect of The Salvation Army,” Camlin shares. “I loved attending their church. I have learned so much and grown in my faith.”
Now, Camlin is working full-time at a local hospital, regaining her independence and rebuilding her future. As she prepares to move into her apartment, she feels more hopeful than ever. "I love working for a faith-based hospital where I can openly express my faith and live a spiritual life," she says. "I couldn’t do that before, and now I can. The Salvation Army gave me my life back, and I am so grateful for their help."
Camlin’s story is a powerful reminder that no matter how dark life may seem, hope can still be found. Through the support and spiritual guidance she received, she not only found a path to recovery, but the experience also rekindled her faith—proving that when faith triumphs over fear, transformation is truly possible.