LENISSA RIVERA, a Middletown resident and corps officer at The Salvation Army in Newport, has been promoted to captain. Rivera moved to Newport in July of 2019, following four years of service as an officer of the Meriden, Conn., corps. Rivera oversees The Salvation Army’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, providing support to more than 3,000 people in Newport County. She also guides implementation of the Pathway to Hope program in Newport, which is an initiative aimed at providing support to families that are struggling with intergenerational poverty.
What are your thoughts about being promoted to captain at The Salvation Army in Newport?
Being promoted to captain while serving here at The Salvation Army in Newport has special significance to me. As the child of Air Force veterans, the United States military holds an extra special place in my heart. I have been blessed to work alongside several of the officers stationed at the naval base, as they have generously donated food for our pantry and sponsored children through our Angel Tree program. I am humbled to serve as a captain alongside some of our country’s heroes, who, while training and keeping our country safe, are also serving as boots on the ground for our clients here in Newport County.
What inspires you to help those less fortunate and in need in the community?
I am inspired to help those who are less fortunate and in need because I was once where they are. As a young single mother of two daughters, I found myself in a situation where I was unemployed and desperately needed help. It was extremely humbling to have to ask for help from the one place where I now spend my life helping others. It just showed me how quickly others can fall into that same situation. I want to be that beacon of hope where at times it seems like there is none.
How has the coronavirus impacted your life personally and professionally?
The coronavirus has put my life at a standstill. All our energies and focus have been to help those who are dealing with hardships as a result of the pandemic. My immediate family, including one of my daughters, [is] in three different states and it has been impossible to see them. My graduate classes were put on hold, as well. This season of life has been difficult, but I realize that there are many others who are in far more-difficult situations.
What role does music play in your life, and how has it gone hand in hand with your career in the U.S. Army?
As a shy and anxious teenager, I taught myself how to play piano by eating lunch in the music practice rooms instead of the lunchroom. I have also had the opportunity to sing at various sporting events, like the former Hartford Whalers and Pawtucket Red Sox games – and even at the world-renowned Apollo Music Theater at the age of 19. However, I knew in my heart that God had a different plan for my life. Now, I focus on teaching music to the next generation and participating in select music groups with The Salvation Army.
