Changing of the guard at Salvation Army of Manatee

Those familiar with the operation of the Salvation Army know that local leaders, called regional coordinators, are transferred frequently to other Army locations. In fact, three to five years in one place is typical.

So, when Maj. Dwayne Durham and his wife, Maj. Marion Durham, arrived in Manatee County as regional coordinators on June 20, 2012, one could have predicted that 2017 would be their last year locally.

And that’s exactly the way it worked out as the Durhams recently announced they have been transferred to the Salvation Army in Ocala. Their last day in Bradenton will be Sunday.

In a somewhat rare happening, the married couple the Durhams are replacing in Ocala, Maj. George and Maj. Holly Patterson, will be replacing them in Bradenton on Monday.

“The philosophy is just to get fresh viewpoints and ideas,” Maj. Dwayne Durham said of the frequent transfers. “Of course, skills and talents are also taken into consideration.”

The Durhams’ skills and talents have made significant impacts in Manatee, their associates said.

“I know that they have worked really hard to build up the services that we offer clients to make sure their needs are met,” Kelly French, the Army’s director of community relations and development in Manatee, said of the Durhams.

But if one just talks to Dwayne Durham, who is rather shy, the whole story doesn’t come out.

“I’ll toot the horn for him,” said his wife, who sticks up for her husband. “My husband has to be commended for the decision he made regarding the new Hope Life Skills Center.”

Dwayne Durham made a radical move after last Christmas, according to his wife. He researched the food pantries available in the area around the Salvation Army at 1204 14th St. W. in Bradenton and realized there were an abundance. So, he decided to close the Salvation Army’s food pantry and replace it with a life skills center.

“He took the risk to close it down and we usually don’t do that,” Marion Durham said, noting that the iconic evening meal was not altered. “We are known for food. But he thought, ‘No, we need to do something greater with the space we have.’ ”

The result of Dwayne Durham’s decision is Pathway of Hope Life Skills Center, which has its grand opening in the old food pantry space from 1-2 p.m. June 28, at 1204 14th St. W. in Bradenton, 10 days after the Durhams’ last day in Bradenton.

The life skill class list includes budgeting, creating meal plans and running a household, French said.

“Someone who is in our shelter will have the opportunity to go to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, or study for their GED exam on site will be so helpful compared to trying to commute across town,” French said.

The center may have some public access classes but is mostly for people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless and staying at the Salvation Army, the Durhams indicated.

Marion Durham’s greatest accomplishment while in Manatee County may also have a life-changing impact on people.

After refusing to cast a blind eye on what was happening along 14th Street West where she and her husband drove every day, Marion Durham created the Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition for the 12th Judicial Circuit, which serves Manatee, Sarasota and DeSoto counties.

“I began by praying and asking members of our Center of Worship and Service to come alongside and pray with me,” she said. “Then, I began to educate myself about human sex trafficking.”

She said that although the problem of children being ensnared in prostitution in still a serious one in Manatee County, the Coalition is getting a foothold.

“With the cooperation of law enforcement, agencies and local government, we have a greater understanding of what we are facing and we have really started working together,” Marion Durham said.

Pattersons following big footsteps

So, the Pattersons have some big shoes to fill. But French is sure it will work out.

“I have heard some really nice things about the Pattersons from our other staff members who have met them or worked with them in other areas,” French said. “The word is they are wonderful.”

The Pattersons are both 63, and Bradenton will be their 12th appointment. They spent seven years in Ocala.

“They are from Canada originally,” French added of the Pattersons. “I’m a hockey fan, so I am hoping they are hockey fans, too.”

Those interested in teaching at Pathway of Hope can call 941-748-5110.

This story was originally published June 15, 2017 at 3:00 PM with the headline "Changing of the guard at Salvation Army of Manatee."