A Story of Hope and Transformation at The Salvation Army
At 17 years old, Isaac didn’t know where his life was headed. Like many young people facing instability, he was struggling with uncertainty, family hardship, and homelessness. But through faith, structure, and support, Isaac found something life-changing at The Salvation Army: hope.
“I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with my future,” Isaac shares. “But I could feel God’s presence around me and He moved me out of the situation I was in and put me here.”
Isaac’s teenage years were marked by instability, as his family experienced homelessness, often staying together in crowded spaces and relying on public transportation just to make it through each day. School became difficult to deal with and Isaac eventually dropped out, adding to the feeling of being disconnected from friends and family.
When Isaac’s mother entered a Salvation Army program, he made the decision to stay with her.
“I love my mom, so I came with her and stuck it out,” he says.
Life at The Salvation Army introduced Isaac to the consistency he had been missing. Early morning wake-ups, shared meals, accountability, and encouragement from staff and peers helped create a rhythm that began to change how he viewed himself and his future.
“What The Salvation Army taught me was that schedule — early mornings, breakfast, going out to look for work or school — helped me thrive.”
Even more than routines, it was the environment of faith and community that made the difference. Through conversations with staff and volunteers, Isaac was reminded that no one is ever too far gone.
“It’s all about hope,” he says. “You’re not lost. Coming here helped me fully trust in God—that He would make a way.”
After leaving to spend time in West Virginia, Isaac returned to North Carolina, where he was baptized and recommitted his life to God. That moment marked a clear turning point.
“The Lord decided to work in my life,” Isaac says. “Now I’m here sharing my testimony.”
The challenges he faced during his time in the program became lessons that strengthened his faith and self-awareness.
“The hard times taught me what I value and who I am,” he reflects. “Knowing you came from a hard place gives you strength to keep moving forward.”
Today, Isaac is employed in construction, working in painting and drywall and earning a steady income. He is surrounded by positive influences and is building confidence through responsibility and hard work.
But his goals don’t stop there.
Isaac is preparing to enter the military and plans to pursue college in the future, possibly in the healthcare field. He credits The Salvation Army for helping him develop the discipline and mindset needed to pursue those goals.
Now, Isaac hopes his story will encourage others who are struggling or feeling lost.
“If you’re going through a hard time and don’t know what to do, just have grit,” he says. “Trust in what God is doing in your life.”
He encourages young people to stay in school, lean on supportive communities, and trust those who have their best interests at heart.
“I didn’t have anything to show for my life,” Isaac says. “I just had determination and faith. And God used that.”
Isaac’s journey is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when compassion, faith, and structure come together. Through The Salvation Army’s programs, individuals like Isaac are given more than shelter—they are given the tools, encouragement, and hope needed to rebuild their lives.
“God has done something in me,” Isaac says. “And He’s going to keep doing something in me.”
Isaac’s story is a living testimony of what God can do through faithful compassion and Christ-centered support.
When you give, you are helping provide:
- Safe shelter and stability for families in crisis
- Christ-centered programs that restore dignity and purpose
- Faithful encouragement that points people back to God
Your generosity is more than a donation—it is a partnership in God’s redemptive work.
Together, we can continue to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
Together, we can help write the next testimony.