Devonte Thompson

Every summer for 10 years, Devonte Thompson couldn’t wait to get to Star Lake Camp. For a kid growing up in Harlem, The Salvation Army camp was heaven. While he first learned to play music at The Salvation Army’s Manhattan Citadel Corps Community Center, Devonte’s time at Star lake Camp enhanced his love for playing.

The Salvation Army’s Manhattan Citadel Community Center. “I feel like I’m giving back to what I was given,” Devonte says happily. “I’m just really grateful I was able to go into the program for free, and now I’m able to do the same thing in other children’s lives. I know what my leaders have done for me in my life. They’ve helped me through a lot of things,” he recalls. “I don’t know where I would be if I didn’t have those people in my life. I guess it means a lot to me that I can be one of those people for other children that were in my same position.” Devonte loves using music to help other boys and girls change their lives. Just as it changed his.