New Salvation Army leaders begin work in Bowling Green
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WNKY) — Captains Joshua and Amanda Keaton are beginning their new roles with The Salvation Army in Bowling Green by getting to know the people and organizations already serving the community.
The couple met with community members Tuesday during a meet and greet, part of what they say will be an ongoing effort to understand where they can help most.
Getting to know Bowling Green
Joshua Keaton said building relationships is the starting point.
“I think it starts by making connections and meeting people, kind of like what we’re doing today,” he said. “With our meet and greet and just figuring out where we can best fit in.”
Those relationships extend to local businesses, churches, nonprofits and other organizations. The Keatons said partnerships are vital to the Salvation Army’s work and its ability to reach people who need help.
Housing among needs they are seeing
Families facing homelessness are already among the needs on their radar.
The Keatons said some families need direct help finding housing and jobs, while also trying to keep their children on track in school and address physical, mental and emotional needs.
For Joshua, the issue is personal.
“For me, growing up in it and seeing it, but also living in not so great circumstances, growing up, bouncing around with the unhoused and section eight as well,” he said. “Like, I understand what our people are dealing with and what they’re going through.”
Working with shelters and people experiencing homelessness is familiar territory for the couple. Their most recent assignment was in Mississippi, where they served as divisional youth secretaries overseeing youth work across Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.
In Bowling Green, they also want to maintain support for the Center of Hope. Its kitchen serves three meals a day to residents and provides lunch to the community.
Plans also include a future triplex that would provide housing for two families.
A first year built on relationships
When asked what would make their first year in Bowling Green feel successful, Joshua did not point to a number or a program.
“I think for me, my favorite thing is whenever you go somewhere and someone calls you by name, right?” he said. “So the fact that we know their name, they know ours. And so that means that we’re getting after that, we’re getting to know them personally because that’s what matters.”
For the Keatons, becoming part of Bowling Green starts there — knowing the people they serve, and being known in return.
