Meet Clara

Clara was a single mom with five children when she found her way to The Salvation Army.  Food had been a little short that month and having been there a few years before, she knew where she could turn.

Clara’s story began when she fifteen and left home after a strained relationship with her mother.  From that point on, Clara had essentially been alone.  In her twenties she started using drugs and alcohol to fill a void and carried on in her addiction until she was 41.  The loss of her mother and the birth of her youngest son became a catalyst forcing Clara to change her ways.

Clara decided to get clean and become the mom she knew she could be.  After years of missing school assemblies and opportunities to be involved in everyday life with her children, Clara devoted herself to her kids.  Although Clara enjoyed her role as mom, she still found something was missing.

In 2015, Clara came to The Salvation Army for some supplemental food to get her through the month.  The intake coordinator invited Clara to come volunteer in the food pantry.  She agreed since her children were now all in school and she didn’t have much else to do during that time.  Clara began volunteering multiple times a week.  Through her volunteer service Clara found a community that she had never known.

“People here look at everyone the same.  People care about me and my life.  They are welcoming and kind.”

Clara now volunteers two days a week in the food pantry, helps make dinner on Thursday nights for youth programs, and is a part of the homeless outreach ministry.  Clara says that The Salvation Army has given her friendship and equality like she has never experienced.

Each day, The Salvation Army of Santa Rosa works with people in our community desiring to feel at home somewhere.  When you donate to a red kettle or ring a bell for The Salvation Army this Christmas, you are helping to provide community, equality, and pride for people in our community.  You are part of the mission Behind the Bell.