"This is not a job, this is a ministry. We just continue to serve."

- Captain Karen Holness

Three African American women and one African American boy stand behind a rustic wood serving counter. A Red Shield logo is attached to the front of the counter and can be seen on a white banner behind the counter. The woman second from left wears a Salvation Army officer uniform. The others wear casual clothing.A Favor
Captain Patricia Williams

It was the love and kindness bestowed upon her brother and her husband through the Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) in Kansas City, MO, that led Captain Patricia Williams to The Salvation Army.

Patricia was a nursing and physical therapy assistant for twenty-five years before working with the children at the Kansas City (Eastside), MO corps community center. She worked with the children and then met their parents when she began teaching Bible study to the adults. Majors Dale and Becky Simmons encouraged her to think of officership, but she would not consider leaving her family.

However, when the new corps officer, Major Charles Williams, asked a simple favor, “If God opens a door, will you go through it?” When she replied with yes, the doors began to open.  She attended the College for Officer Training and was commissioned in 2015.

Captain Patricia’s first appointment brought her back to the ARC ministry, where she served as the women’s associate to a ninety-one-bed women’s ARC in Kansas City.  Soon after, she went to the Milwaukee (Citadel), WI, corps serving an impoverished community.

The first African American Salvation Army officer in Milwaukee, she works to establish trust and uplift the community. She wants to provide a place for children to see strong leadership and to develop that leadership. The dynamic programs offered to the youth have brought in 316 children of all ages. The Home League boasts twelve members, and every Sunday, sees about twenty-five people, including the ARC clients.

The door God provided for Captain Patricia is the same door she hopes to leave open for the people of Milwaukee.

Hygiene Kit
2021 

Each corps put together hygiene kits to give away to those in need. The case seen here, compiled by the Milwaukee (Citadel), WI Corps, includes a washcloth, a bar of soap, a comb, a nail file, a toothbrush, and toothpaste. Unfortunately, the receiver of this type of kit usually lacks these essential items for good hygiene.

Gift of Milwaukee (Citadel), WI Corps

A hygiene kit with white wash cloth, white toothbrush, toothpaste, black comb, bar of soap, and nail file. The items are housed in a white vinyl envelope which closes with a snap.
A Native American woman with a touch of grey in her hair wears a red plaid flannel shirt and stands in front of a rock fireplace or wall.Terryl Wheelock
Soldier

Since she was a young girl, Terryl Wheelock has been a member of The Salvation Army in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Early in her youth, Terryl was recognized as a teacher and leader. She taught Sunday school to children ranging in age from nursery school through middle school, and later the adults. In addition, she volunteered for all the youth programs the corps offered, as well as emergency disaster services.

Today Terryl, who is Native American, is a leader in the diversity, inclusion, and equity field. She and a co-creator developed a workshop called Our Cultural Lens as a tool to recognize and empathize with the diversity of our world. She encourages leaders from all backgrounds and professions, including the Salvation Army, to dive deep and learn about the complexities of culture.

Camp in a Box
2020

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Youth Program Specialist Caryle Wheelock developed a creative alternative camp program for the children who attend Army Lake Camp. Using a STEM curriculum, she engaged the children in learning about nature while staying safe at home.

Gift of The Salvation Army Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Division

A smiling Native American woman sits at a desk with a purple binder open in front of her. She has shoulder length brown hair and wears a blue half-zip sweatshirtCarlyle Wheelock
Youth Program Specialist

Caryle Wheelock, one of the few Native Americans in The Salvation Army, became a part of the organization after the Methodist church she and her family attended closed. Her cousins attended Salvation Army meetings and urged them to attend. As a result, she and her sister Terryl became sunbeams and went to Sunday school at The Milwaukee (Citadel), WI corps.

Caryle has been a part of Salvation Army camp at Army Lake Camp in Troy, WI., for most of her life. She started as a sunbeam and now serves as the Youth Program Specialist at Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Division.  She promotes the character building that helped shape her life by creating creative programming.

A middle aged African American woman with shoulder length center parted hair wearing a white button down shirt with blue Soldier epaulets.Sylvia Williams
Corps Sergeant-Major (CSM)

 

Sylvia Williams, corps sergeant-major of the Milwaukee (Citadel), WI Corps, is a powerhouse in the community she serves. She leads Women’s Ministries, Sunday worship, Bible study, and focuses on uplifting the community. 

 

She loves the soup, soap and salvation mission of The Salvation Army, but she also understands that ministering to people in survival mode can be challenging. Therefore, Sylvia approaches her ministry with food and love, saying, “Food is the Key!”