ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ
希望
Foi 尊嚴 Espérer 신앙 Glauben
ਉਮ
존엄 Würde 기대 Esperanza Dignité Espérer 信仰 Hope Foi pag-asa Faith 신앙 Dignidad Würde pananampalataya Hope ਉਮੀਦ Glau 信仰 Esperanza Dignidad pag-asa ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ 希望 ਮਾਣ Dignity 신앙 Espére
ਮਾਣ
IMPACT Your Support in Action
Because of your generosity and support, we can continue to provide people like Tracy a new outlook on life. Tracy then moved to Victoria for two years where she enrolled in self-help courses and received counselling. But the loneliness never went away. She moved back to Vernon to be with her grandchildren who always brightened her life. One day, at the end of her rope, Tracy walked into The Salvation Army, depressed, anxious and suicidal, seeking help.
The Family I Never Had When Tracy arrived in Vernon, B.C., she couldn’t see past her pain and just wanted it to stop. In her mind, suicide seemed to be the only way out. Overwhelmed by hopelessness, she needed people who cared about her. Little did she know that would be The Salvation Army. In 2015, Tracy left her marriage. “Living in an unhealthy marriage was difficult and I wanted to find happiness again,” says Tracy. She moved to Vernon where family could support her while she sorted out her emotions. “Living in an unhealthy marriage was difficult and I wanted to find happiness again.” After only three months, Tracy felt that living with family was causing too much stress and anxiety so she removed herself from the situation. She didn’t know where she would go or what she would do, but she knew her situation had to change or suicide was inevitable. She had no choice but to sell everything she owned from her previous three-bedroom home. When she could no longer afford to buy food or keep her vehicle, she sold her car to help survive. For the next seven months, Tracy lived out of a suitcase and stayed with other family and friends ― wherever she could land for a while. “When I came to The Salvation Army I felt connected.” “It was very depressing to not have a home or the support I so desperately needed,” says Tracy.
At The Salvation Army Tracy received counselling and was directed to housing support services. Before long she began to volunteer with the Army’s meal program and food bank. It was through volunteering that she learned of the Breakthrough Program. “Women who attend the program are dealing with feelings of isolation and lack of support,” says Jenn Thompson, Program Coordinator. “We provide a safe environment where participants build relationships, learn life skills and improve their self-esteem.” Breakthrough sessions include forgiveness, healthy boundaries and relationships, self-esteem and conflict resolution. Participants engage in activities such as art days, cooking and movie days. The goal is that women find a place of belonging, friendship and support. “The Salvation Army is the family I never had.” “When I came to The Salvation Army I felt connected,” says Tracy. “The Salvation Army is the family I never had, the one I always wished for.” Fast forward to today, Tracy works for The Salvation Army Thrift Store as a cashier, helping with the organization of the store, as well as customer service. She has her own apartment and volunteers to help others in need when she is able. Without the generosity of donors like you, Tracy, and others like her, would not have access to life changing programs like The Breakthrough Program. Thank you for giving hope today ... and every day.
salvationarmy.ca | Fall 2019
YOUR IMPACT New Inclusive Shelter Opens in Richmond “The flex beds are used often by those needing a little extra privacy for a number of reasons, including people new to homelessness, somebody with chronic or short-term illness, or members of the LGBTQ2+ community who may not feel comfortable in a gender specific dorm”. All of the new living space was designed intentionally, featuring separate areas for men and women in addition to a co-ed space and expansive private backyard with plenty of greenspace. Pets are welcome too, allowing people to access services without making the difficult decision to give up their animal in order to access services.
July 10th marked the opening of the new Salvation Army Richmond House, a 36-bed Emergency Shelter designed to replace the outdated facility on Shell Road, which was only able to accommodate a small number of men. In addition to providing shelter for 36 guests, Richmond House offers three meals daily and access to critical support services, such as case management and referrals to community resources. This new space allows for 20 men and 10 women, in addition to six flex beds which can be used to accommodate those who need extra privacy. According to Shelter Manager David Burgess, occupancy rates have been higher than expected from day one. “We really weren’t expecting to fill all of the additional beds immediately, but we’ve been at capacity basically since we opened”.
“Overall the transition has been very well received by guests and staff. It’s wonderful having a new facility that can meet the needs of our diverse and growing community.” – Major Kathie Chui, Executive Director, Richmond House There are plans being worked on to operate a winter shelter during the cold months, which will hopefully see an additional 20 temporary mat spaces available for the most vulnerable during extreme weather periods. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and community partners, the new Richmond House is an essential addition to men and women needing assistance. Visit salvationarmy.ca for more information, and learn how you can help support essential services like Richmond House in your community.
15 Years of Impact This year marked the 15th anniversary of The Salvation Army Belkin House. Check out some of the great initiatives taking place at this location. Watch video: youtube.com/user/SallyAnnBC
David explains that the semi-private flex beds can be used in a variety of circumstances for guests who may be more vulnerable.
salvationarmy.ca | Fall 2019
CORPORATE CORNER Walmart Canada
Hope in the City Breakfast The Hope in the City Breakfast is a special Christmas tradition in our community. This event brings together thought leaders from the business community, as well as politics, sports and entertainment. It is an opportunity to come together, ring in the holiday season and recognize and celebrate the importance and impact of philanthropy in our communities. For ticket/table sales, visit hopeinthecity.ca/vancouver
Welcome to our Corporate Corner, a place where you can get to know some of our corporate partners a little better. In this issue we highlight the involvement of Walmart Canada. Walmart Canada is joining forces with The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services (EDS), leading to a significant impact in communities across this province. When Walmart Canada came to us wanting to know how they could make the largest impact with their donation it seemed the perfect fit and opportunity to purchase an EDS Community Response Unit. This vehicle is equipped with cooking abilities, can feed up to 1,000 people per hour, and is ready to be dispatched to areas in crisis when emergency or natural disasters strike. Since 2007 Walmart Canada has been a significant partner, donating over $1.6 million to various projects and now an essential EDS Community Response Unit. This includes pioneering a matching gift program with our Christmas Kettles across Canada, matching dollar for dollar up to $100,000 annually. With more than 400 stores nationwide, serving over 1.2 million customers every day, and retaining over 85,000 employees, Walmart Canada is a significant stakeholder in every community. Being one of Canada’s largest employers they encourage all their employees to be engaged within their community. With the generosity of partners like Walmart Canada we are able to continue to feed, clothe and shelter those in need, while helping others escape violence and addiction. Thank you Walmart for helping to give HOPE today … and every day.
Upcoming Events Hope in the City Luncheon (Victoria) – Tuesday, November 19 Celebrity Kettle Kickoff – Thursday, November 28 Hope in the City Breakfast – Wednesday, December 4 Toy Mountain – December 5 - December 6 Santa Shuffle – Saturday, December 7
Thanks to you we continue to provide Hope today ... and every day. Go to salvationarmy.ca/donations to continue making a difference. salvationarmy.ca | Fall 2019
Our Mission The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world. The Standards Program Trustmark is a mark of Imagine Canada used under licence by The Salvation Army Charitable #: 107951618 RR0001
Contact Us: 604.299.3908 salvationarmy.ca/britishcolumbia salarmybc salvationarmybc thesalvationarmybcdivision thesalvationarmybcheadquarters