NILES —  When people step inside Patricia Akenberger’s office at the Niles Salvation Army, they are likely having a pretty tough day.

As the newest social services coordinator for the organization, Akenberger sees people who might be faced with an eviction notice, overdue utility bill or wonder how they will put food on their table, as the bills continue to pile up.

For Akenberger, her mission is to help those who visit her office leave with some hope and know that someone in their community cares for them.

“I want people to feel when they come here that no one is judging them and that it is a safe place,” Akenberger said. “This is a safe place to find resources, to help you where you are and maybe even make things better.”

Akenberger took over the social services role about three weeks ago, after replacing the former social services coordinator Ben Slocum. Akenberger moved from Ohio last year to Berrien Springs to be closer to her grandkids and other family. She said she is working to get to know residents across Berrien and Cass county.

As a social services coordinator, Akenberger will help residents in need who cannot make rental payments or may face other financial challenges. Her job also allows her to help people get connected with a variety of resources and register for services like food stamps. Spreading the message about the food pantry that the Niles Salvation Army offers and free lunch services are also part of her duties.

Typically, the Salvation Army also offers a utilities services program, but funds for that have temporarily dried up. Akenberger is expecting funding to be restored for this service in October or November.

In the weeks to come, Akenberger hopes to help the Niles Salvation Army extend its reach into Cass County. While the organization serves both counties, there is only one office location in Niles.

“The need for social service is huge there, because there are no resources in Cass County,” Akenberger said. “It’s an underserviced area and they want to be able to get in and say ‘hey, there is a presence here.’”

To help, Akenberger has been compiling a book of local resources for residents throughout both counties. That way, even if the Niles Salvation Army cannot help, she can connect them with other organizations, like United Way.

Akenberger said the Niles Salvation Army received a private donation to help Cass County residents who may be struggling to pay their rent. Akenberger said this has been one opportunity to help Cass County residents specifically.

Another goal Akenberger hopes to accomplish is to give tools to residents to conquer some challenges they may face. She is hoping to start a Pathway to Hope program in the next year, where she will teach residents how to evaluate their finances and job opportunities, among other things. Akenberger said she believes empowering residents with this knowledge may be a key to addressing some major struggles that people in the community may have.

“When we see that there is chronic need, part of our job is to find out why,” Akenberger said. “Let’s do budget planning and find out why there is a constant state of crisis. [Let’s] look at employment [and] see if we need to do some rehabilitation assessment so that we can get people on a positive path in their lives and feel a sense of accomplishment.”

Akenberger has a number of years in the social services industry and has served as a vocational rehabilitation for a health service in Ohio, a wellness center in South Dakota and Tri-County Head Start in Michigan. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toledo in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in counseling.

Akenberger brings to her role a compassion for the challenges her clients face, because she has been through a number of obstacles they face herself. Growing up, she said she was a foster child and faced other hurdles in her adult life.

“I’ve been there. I have had to live in low-income housing. I’ve had to live on food stamps,” Akenberger said. “I know what it is like to find your life topsy-turvy and think ‘what in the world am I going to do.’”

With this insight and her passion for residents across counties, Akenberger is looking forward to the opportunity to help residents get back on their feet and inspire them with her message.

“It does not matter how old you are. You can move forward,” Akenberger said.