Salvation Army “Bridging the Gap” Program Graduates Local Teens

by Jonathan Weaver

A local Salvation Army program for at-risk teenagers continues to succeed after graduating nine more local teens Friday.

It was the fourth graduating class Program Director Gloria Carney has led. Classes meet annually in March and September Tuesday and Thursday for 12 weeks.

“This was the fourth, and we graduated 40 kids from the program,” Carney said. “They’re all different. They all have the same issues, but a lot of it has to do with their ages. Some of my groups that have graduated have been older – 16 and 17. These kids were all in middle school with the exception of one, but they were all dynamic.

“A lot of my kids are throw-away kids and they’ve proved society wrong. They’re good kids.”

During the past 12 weeks, the teens from a mix of hometowns – and sometimes court ordered or recommended by Armstrong County Children, Youth and Family Services and probation officers - have visited, among other businesses and public services, the Armstrong County Health Center in Kittanning, District Judge Gary DeComo’s office in Ford City and the Rural Valley post office, and have hosted speakers.

After reading an Old Testament Bible verse, Carney said the nine graduates all exhibited courage.

“These kids came in with a world of issues, and most of them were very willing to take a chance and step out of themselves and find their place in the faith of God and acknowledge some of these issues,” Carney said. “That’s huge to do as an adult, but to be 12, 13, 14 (or) 15 and tell each other your weaknesses, is tremendously hard – and they did it, and became friends and helped each other.”

Life Choices Director of Education Christy Pittman (who also talked to students during one of the weeks about abstinence and the power of love and emotions) congratulated the graduates and said they have come a long way while they learned how community engagement will enrich their lives and how to handle everyday situations.

Past Graduate Shayla Lloyd, a Biomedical Technology student at Lenape Tech in Manor Township, attended with her brother, Andrew. She said the sessions – including one led by Kittanning Borough Police Chief Bruce Mathews - have prepared her for obstacles, and knows other students who could benefit from the “Bridging the Gap” program.

“I knew about the topics, but sitting there in class and learning more about it was interesting, helpful,” Lloyd said.

A group of “Bridging the Gap” graduates also attended the graduation ceremony Friday.

Carney said the program is supported by Armstrong County Children, Youth and Family Services, Juvenile Probation and the local school district, among many other individuals, groups and churches. She was also aided weekly by Volunteer LaGiesha Stephens

Based on past results, Carney was confident most of the graduates would stay involved with other Salvation Army programs or in the community.

“They’ve helped me more than I’ve helped them. My kids have ultimately given me more than I could have ever give to them,” Carney said.

Lieutenant Amber Imhoff announced that Carney also was recently promoted as “Bridging the Gap” director in all of Western Pennsylvania – including in the Pittsburgh-Westside Salvation Army corps.

“This particular group showed me that they really could learn to work together despite their differences,” Lieutenant Imhoff said. “We’re blessed to have the ‘Bridging the Gap’ program at our corps, and the group is expanding into New Kensington in the next year – that’s pretty exciting.”

With no definite start or end date, Carney will meet with four local teens tomorrow and again later this week. About a dozen students or more are expected during the summer session.