Gonzales, Louisiana — As a part of the emergency disaster services being provided by The Salvation Army to survivors of Hurricane Ida, distributions of various goods have occurred in parts of southern Louisiana, where power is still out for many. Joining in the distributions are employees, Michael, and Kenny, of The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) located in New Orleans. They provide a dose of hope as they help load the boxes in people’s cars. Mike and Kenny are truly enjoying the opportunity to give back to the community that helped them redeem themselves.
Employees of the ARC have been helping the Incident Command Team based in Gonzales, LA with mass distribution of items such as clean up kits, food boxes, baby supplies, hygiene kits, and more since shortly after the hurricane made landfall. They make the trek from New Orleans to Gonzales daily to assist with disaster relief services and have been a tremendous blessing to the team. With the Center in New Orleans temporarily closed because of Hurricane Ida, it allowed the ARC to loan additional manpower and equipment to help in the disaster response.
“I feel good at the end of the day knowing I put a smile on someone’s face. It is such a pleasure to serve,” says Kenny Ceasar, Assistant Residence Manager at The Salvation Army’s ARC in New Orleans and alumni of the program. It is Kenny’s first time to serve on the frontlines of disaster relief. Kenny goes on to say, “it’s the greatest thing I can ever do – to help others.”
Michael Discon is a graduate of the ARC in New Orleans where he is now a truck driver for the organization. He was a landscape architect prior to entering the Adult Rehabilitation Program in New Orleans and loves to sail. When asked what it meant to be serving others affected by Hurricane Ida, he stated “it’s a blessing to know we helped others with kindness and generosity.” Later, Michael said “I never thought a disaster could bring about so much good.”
From adult rehabilitation programs to social services to disaster relief services, The Salvation Army is committed to meeting the needs of those who come seeking hope.
