Girl ‘saw things no child should have to see’
Written by Craig Dirkes, Salvation Army Northern Division writer/photographer
Anna Steinhofer had it rough growing up in Fergus Falls, Minn. Her mother abused drugs and alcohol, and her father was in prison for most of her childhood.
“I saw things no child should have to see,” recalled Anna (pictured), now 20. “I hated my home life so much that I wanted to live at school.”
Thankfully, she didn’t have to go directly home from school every day. Instead, she attended youth programs at the Fergus Falls Salvation Army, five days a week.
“I loved it,” Anna said. “There wasn’t any negativity there. I could work on my homework in silence. There were supportive people around.”
Anna attended the program from age 8 until she graduated from high school, during which time she and her brother bounced in and out of foster homes due to their mother’s instability. She also attended church at the Fergus Falls Salvation Army – and still does.
Throughout Anna’s strenuous childhood, she relied on youth program leader Lynne Verhaagh (pictured) for daily support.
“Lynne let me take home leftover food to feed my brother and mom, and she’d also give me supplies – trash bags, toilet paper, dish soap,” Anna said.
Sometimes Anna and Lynne went out to eat so that Anna could vent about her family problems. Other times, Lynne drove Anna to visit her mom whenever she wound up in a hospital. On several occasions, Lynne even offered to be a sponsor for Anna’s mother.
“Lynne was like a second mother to me – a role model,” Anna said. “I can’t even explain how much I love her.”
Lynne encouraged Anna to be positive, work hard, and stay close to God, no matter how hard life got.
“As I grew to know Anna and the struggles of her family life, I knew God had sent her to us,” Lynne said. “Through our program and Bible studies, Anna developed her individuality and personal strengths while gaining confidence and social skills.”
By the time Anna was 16, she was working two jobs to help support herself and her family. She loved school, and four times was nominated as one of her school’s most outstanding students – an honor given to just three kids per year.
“The Salvation Army helped shape who I am,” Anna said proudly.
Focused on the future
Despite her tumultuous upbringing, Anna has managed to stay the course and become a successful young woman. She is now a full-time college student and works part-time as a geriatrics assistant. She is leaning toward a career in law enforcement, with dreams to work for the FBI.
“Seeing so many bad things in my life has made me want to help others get rid of the bad things,” Anna said.
She continues to do all she can to help her mother and other family members who are struggling.
“I love them,” Anna said. “But I’ve learned not to dwell. Dwelling doesn’t fix anything.”
The Salvation Army operates after-school and summer youth programs similar to those in Fergus Falls at our locations across Minnesota and North Dakota. Most Salvation Army locations that do not offer these programs offer youth ministry programs at least once a week.
All of these programs are a blessing to hundreds of children, some of whom are growing up in challenging home environments similar to what Anna overcame.
“Kids in those situations need a break,” Anna said. “At The Salvation Army, they don’t have to look over their shoulder to see something that shouldn’t be happening. They can relax and know someone is supporting them.”
Please join The Salvation Army by volunteering or making a donation to support your local community.