By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Shawna Logue with the Salvation Army explained how her work with Pathways of Hope helps get those in need back on their feet again.
"My role is kind of between the crisis and the thriving," Logue said. "I get them back to stable so that they are able to pay their bills and not stress and not have to go back to begging, basically."
A big key to that is helping those that can work get in position to get more training so they can make more money.
"We can look at budgeting, that kind of thing," Logue said. "I also look at certifications from, like Allied Health and the college. As far as other things, like legal matters, I don't touch that, because I'm not a lawyer, but I know who to refer them to and sometimes we like help pay for the lawyer or like expungements, if it's only a certain amount, we can help pay for those so that they can get on to a better path."
Logue said its important for those she serves to know that they need to continue to grow their income to become self-sufficient, even if it costs them something in the short run.
"There's like a $13 to $18 range per hour, when somebody's in there, that's where the cliff effect happens and they lose the benefits, but they're not really making enough to get past that point," Logue said. "A lot of times, one emergency and they are in trouble."
Logue said the expansion of her job to full-time has just helped her to serve more of the people who already needed help, she has filled up her intended caseload of 40 families already.