A Place to Call Home at The Salvation Army North Boroughs
Yvonne’s husband passed away in March 2021, leaving her with a broken heart and a mountain of grief.
In need of a new church and searching for a pastor who would be willing to take on a proper funeral service for her husband, Yvonne, 56, of Ohio Township, was referred to The Salvation Army North Boroughs Worship and Service Center.
“I walked in, and Lt. Tylar immediately gave me a hug, and from that point, I was home,” Yvonne said.
Lts. Tylar and Kelly Melfi, commanding officers at The Salvation Army North Boroughs, immediately began to work with Yvonne to create a memorable and heartfelt service for her husband. Surprised to learn that The Salvation Army was a church with weekly Sunday worship, she quickly became a regular every Sunday morning, seeking the word of God.
“Lt. Tylar made my husband’s service a pleasant event – as much as a funeral can be pleasant,” she said. “Lt. Kelly and Lt. Tylar are now best friends to me. If I ever need to talk, I go to them first; I don’t want to burden my family. They have helped me through so much and it has done me wonders.”
After taking a vacation with her daughter during the summer of 2021, she returned home, and life quieted. As the holidays approached, Yvonne began to feel more and more depressed, approaching her first Christmas without her husband by her side.
Lt. Kelly suggested she take a little time for herself, so Yvonne took two weeks off at her remote job and cleaned her house top to bottom. When that was done, she began to volunteer at The Salvation Army North Boroughs.
“I volunteered at The Salvation Army for the whole month and a half from just before Thanksgiving to December 24 – every day. Whatever they needed, I would do it,” she said. “I would end each day with Lt. Kelly and talk about whatever was on my mind. They are my family.”
As Yvonne went back to work, she knew she needed to make a change. Lt. Kelly suggested she pray on it.
“I went on interviews, got a new job, and called Lt. Kelly to tell her I got a new job that was so much better for me,” Yvonne said. “I feel complete. Now, I pray for my answers, and I don’t question my decisions. I pray, I get my answers, and I follow what I am supposed to be doing – I am supposed to be helping people. I still volunteer working full-time, and I will continue to do so. It means so much to my heart.”
As she continues to volunteer at The Salvation Army and attend weekly worship services, Yvonne says helping others has completely changed her outlook on life.
“You go to The Salvation Army for 8 hours – and you come home smiling,” she said.