December • 2021
globalheroes.com
How The Salvation Army
ADVERTORIAL
GIVES THE GIFT OF HOPE
Celebrating around the holiday season is a time of happiness and tradition with family and friends. As the holiday season approaches, often we’re focused on finding that perfect gift, making time for another get-together, and decorating the house just right. The busyness of the season means we sometimes forget that not everyone can afford that perfect gift or tree, food for a large meal, or even have a home in which to stay warm. The Salvation Army in Ontario is committed to making the holiday season brighter for people experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, unemployment, and addiction. In 2020, The Salvation Army supported more than 1.1 million families and individuals in 150 communities in Ontario by helping them find a hopeful path back to self-sufficiency. Due to a range of social and economic factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of families and individuals reaching out for support in overcoming their personal life struggles is unfortunately increasing. The Salvation Army’s iconic Christmas Kettle campaign is our single largest yearly fundraiser, with a goal of $12 million this year, making it incredibly important for those accessing vital and lifesaving programs and services. A FOUNDATION OF HOPE
The Journey to Life Centre in Thunder Bay recently recognized its official grand opening, an opportunity for expanded support programs and shelter beds for the most vulnerable members of the northern Ontario community. “This building is built upon a foundation of hope, with every brick representing a change in individual’s lives,” says Journey to Life Executive Director Gary Ferguson. “The walls are built with trust and the roof helps us to shelter those who enter from the elements, as well as the negative influences that rain down from the outside.” Richard Andruchow is one of
between the two services, and one would not exist without the other. “A lot of people don’t realize that buying a shirt in our store is actually helping people. Yes, they are getting a good deal but that money supports having a food bank in this town that help individuals and families who are struggling to put food on their table,” says Kelly Bula, a community care clerk at the store.
© ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF SALVATION ARMY
those who received shelter from the outside when he entered the Windsor Centre of Hope following a fire in his apartment building. Richard regained his self-worth from spiritual care, housing, community and family services, counselling, and emergency shelter programs. “I was helped from the moment I stepped into the facility, and I will always be grateful for all the support because it helped me to move forward.” Donations to The Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle Campaign give hope to individuals like Richard and many more struggling. As you see The Christmas Kettles across your community, remember all donated funds remain local and go towards the needs of your community’s most vulnerable. Receiving help and hope from The Salvation Army can be a multi-pronged, long-lasting
approach for many—a social en- as normal society,” Leif says. terprise that benefits many people Because of the hope The in the community. Salvation Army provided him, he knows that no matter what happens FINDING A WAY BACK in life, he always has a place where he is loved and supported and can Gateway Linens and Disposal come back as needed. Services in Toronto is a commercial “It’s about providing opportuniindustrial laundry, and employment ty. People are so capable, and they retaining program staffed by have so much to offer, and yet they Salvation Army clients, many of are trapped in their circumstances them shelter residents, who clean of homelessness. It’s trying to supand fold linens, towels, and blankets port them so they can break down for shelters in the area. those barriers that are holding Providing clean sheets and them trapped,” says Stewart King, blankets gives shelter residents Manager of Gateway Linens and some comfort and normalcy in Disposable Services. their lives. Leif Michaels is one of the Gateway Linens and Disposal PROVIDING HELP Services team members, followAT HOME ing his four years of homelessness and unemployment. At Salvation Army Thrift Stores “The challenges of homeless- in smaller communities across the ness are food, shelter, and safety province, the need for assistance because you never know what is is just as common but no less going to happen when you are lay- important. At the combined Thrift ing outside. Another challenge is Store and Food Bank in Ingersoll, coming back into what is classified there is a genuine connection
“We are able to give people hope by cutting down the cost they are spending on food, and in turn, they can afford accommodations, healthcare, or other essential personal items.” Mara Hennesey discovered her positive life direction through participation in the Trades Start Program offered by Wiarton Community Church. The program helps students like Mara to learn a trade while earning credits toward a high school diploma. Mara was so successful in completing a college-level foodservice worker program that she was recently hired to work at The Salvation Army Thrift Store in Wiarton. “The Trades Start Program helped me feel confident and I am very thankful for the opportunity with The Salvation Army,” she says. These are just a handful of the thousands of individuals who receive help every month because of your generous donations during our Christmas Kettle Campaign. Donations remain local to help clients stay in their hometown to receive help, hope, and confidence in life. As demand for assistance increases across all facets of life, The Salvation Army’s programs and services are as important as they have ever been—for the community, for clients, and for society. Join our Army of Givers and give hope today. To learn more, visit SalvationArmy.ca or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
