AURORA, Ill., July 20, 2020  — Joaquin and Gabriela Rangel have been named captains for the Salvation Army Aurora Corps.

The Rangels replace Capts. Rich and Linnea Forney who have been assigned as officers at the Salvation Army Elgin Corps.

The Rangels assume leadership roles in Aurora as the Salvation Army prepares to open a new community center at 550 Redwood Drive in Aurora in coming months.

“We are thrilled to be here,” said Capt. Gabriela Rangel. “As the Aurora Corps embarks on a new chapter later this summer, we are truly grateful and challenged to honor those who have preceded us, having literally and figuratively laid the foundation of our new community center.”

The Rangels will serve as pastors for Sunday worship services. Additionally, they will oversee administrative duties, programs, and services at the Aurora Corps. Included are social services, access to emergency assistance and a twice-weekly food pantry. The corps pantry is serving 580 persons weekly, more than double since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Rangels, they will continue to adapt programs. “Like the rest of the world, we are learning how to navigate our new normal,” said Joaquin. We are committed to following the authorities’ lead as we move forward in the way we render services and open programs again. The safety of our staff and clients is of most importance.”

The Rangels have served as Salvation Army officers for 14 years, most recently as corps officers at the Westport Corps in Kansas City. They developed deep roots in Chicagoland, having spent time at the LaVillita Corps Community Center before training at the Army’s College for Officer Training on Chicago’s North Side.

The couple’s three children–twins Daniel and David, 19; and Tanya, 28–were born in Chicago.

About the Salvation Army Chicago Metropolitan Division

One of the largest direct providers of social services, the Salvation Army operates 29 corps community centers and other facilities in neighborhoods across the Chicago Metropolitan Division, spanning from Rockford to Northwest Indiana.

In Aurora, the organization offers homelessness prevention, a food pantry, emergency assistance, disaster relief services, after-school programs, and more. For more information, visit: www.SalArmyAurora.org.

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Al Benson

Freelance Photo-Journalist

Al Benson is an Aurora-based freelance photo-journalist. He is currently an archives research specialist at Aurora University. His work has appeared in The Voice, The Daily Herald, The Beacon-News, and the Chicago Tribune.