Photo courtesy of the Salvation Army Captains Angelica and Gene Spence have assumed the leadership of the local Salvation Army. They take over for Majors Shane and Dorothy Budd, who were assigned to a post in Beaver County.

A change in leadership at the Warren Salvation Army brings a focus on “youth engagement.”

Captains Gene and Angelica Spence took the lead here on June 26. They take over for Majors Shane and Dorothy Budd who are now leading the Salvation Army’s efforts in Beaver County.

The Spence family comes to Warren after eight years of service in Salem, Ohio, a ministry impacted over the last 18 months by the train derailment in East Palestine.

“Our specialty is youth engagement,” Gene said.

Citing the Cobham Summer Day Camp as a program already in place here for youth, Angelica said that “some of our skills and gifs (are) working with the future generations.”

Learning about a community is like drinking from a firehose.

She said they’re learning about the resources already in place and don’t know where any gaps might be yet but stressed their home to come “along with the community to enhance our youth to equip them for the future.”

Gene said that will include partnering with existing programs in the community while Angelical outlined that there are Salvation Army programs for youth not currently offered in Warren, especially in the music and the arts.

She said those programs are typically offered for free or at low cost.

“That way everyone is able to participate,” she said.

How might the work of the Salvation Army look different under their leadership?

“I think that we as an organization need to make sure awareness of our programs is there,” Angelica said. “A lot of people know Cobham. We have our food pantry, feeding program. The fact that we have different types of donations.”

She said that they may also add some classes “to just see where we can really fit in (to) allow people to have a safe space to flourish.”

Gene is an archery and rifle instructor so there’s a chance that an archery program might be brought back.

Angelica said they are also considering creating some family events.

The goal?

“Strengthen the community together,” she said.