18 minute read
“A Place of Refuge”
Love in Any Language The Booth Centre offers temporary housing, three meals a day, private rooms and the support of intervention workers
The Salvation Army helps Canadians in need succeed. But the help goes both ways, as Richard and Fleurette can attest.
by Ursula Leonowicz
Today, The Salvation Army provides 5,500 beds each night for men, women, youth and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Last year, 2.8 million free meals were served at the Army’s shelters and food service programs, including the Booth Centre in Montreal.
The Booth Centre offers temporary housing, three meals a day, private rooms and the support of intervention workers for men 18 and over who are experiencing housing difficulties and problems such as alcoholism, substanceuse disorders or mental illness. It serves as a valuable example of The Salvation Army’s work, supporting vulnerable communities across Canada, and their army of givers who make it possible.
But while the Army provides hope for those in need, this is not limited to those entering its doors. Here are just two examples of how individuals with different life experiences have been helped:
The Client Richard has been staying at The Salvation Army’s Booth Centre in Montreal for the past three months. With three more to go before mov-
ing on to transitional housing, the 47-year-old Indigenous man from Red Bank, N.B., can already speak to its impact on his life.
“I found a place of refuge,” he says. “I feel really welcomed here.
“What you put into it is what you get out of it,” Richard goes on to say about his days at the Booth Centre, which include chores, workshops and spiritual care. “Everyone has a different story and you can’t judge anyone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.”
Now surrounded by a supportive network at The Salvation Army, he’s saving money for an apartment, a better future, and to help his friends.
The Volunteer Fleurette, who volunteers in the kitchen at the Booth Centre, knows it doesn’t take an abundance of time or money to help a person in need, simply the desire to spread hope and provide mutual aid, which is what The Salvation Army is founded on.
Fleurette helps prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner for those on their path to recovery.
She encountered The Salvation Army in the early ’90s, when she moved to Montreal from Haiti.
“I started volunteering with seniors while I was looking for a full-time job,” she says. “It was a good way for me to get to know the city and help other people.”
She has continued to volunteer for various roles within the organization because she believes in being of service to others. Speaking with those at the Booth Centre, she can tell her work is making a difference.
“They always stop me on my way in and out to chat and thank me for my help,” she says. “It warms my heart.”
Through their compassionate care, volunteers like Fleurette help those who may need a little extra support, like Richard. The power of a helping hand, a healthy meal or even a warm smile on a challenging day cannot be underestimated. Such acts can make a real difference in someone’s life, and the foundation of The Salvation Army’s army of givers, which includes donors, sponsors and volunteers, help Canadians in need succeed.
Coffee and Compassion Fleurette volunteers in the kitchen at The Salvation Army’s Booth Centre in Montreal This story was created by Content Works, Postmedia’s commercial content division, on behalf of The Salvation Army.
Reprinted from National Post, November 19, 2021.
Illustration: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Red Alert It’s hard enough being a teen in Toronto, but Meilin “Mei” Lee has a special problem most don’t
It Runs in the Family
IN TURNING RED, OUR HERO MUST LEARN TO CONFRONT HER NEWLY DISCOVERED SUPERPOWER. by Diane Stark
Streaming on Disney+, Turning Red is a computer-animated fantasy/comedy that tells the unusual coming-of-age story of Meilin “Mei” Lee (Rosalie Chiang), a 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian living in Toronto. Mei is a typical teen who loves fashion, her friends and boy bands. When Mei wakes up one morning as a giant red panda, she is mortified, but her parents aren’t even surprised.
“Our ancestors had a mystical connection with red pandas, so this
Illustration: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
little quirk runs in our family,” her mother (Sandra Oh) matter-of-factly explains.
As it turns out, this “quirk” causes Mei to poof into a giant red panda whenever she experiences any strong emotion. She changes back into herself only after she calms down, and the sole remnant of the panda is that her hair has permanently changed from black to bright red.
Mei tries desperately to control her emotions to hide her secret and keep the panda at bay. But when the class bully teases her during dodge ball, Mei gets angry and poof, a cloud of pink smoke appears and Mei transforms into the panda. The same thing happens when Mei’s mother embarrasses her by showing up unexpectedly at school.
Mei has always tried to be a perfect, obedient daughter, but thanks to the panda, her life has become a chaotic mess. Can Mei learn to control her emotions and keep the panda in check? Or will she decide to embrace this new version of herself?
Her Secret Identity Will Mei embrace her alter ego or will she keep her emotions—and inner panda—in check?
Flipping the Script Like Mei, we all have “quirks” in our family trees. We probably don’t poof into pandas, but nearly all of us have something we wish didn’t run in our family. It could be a physical or mental illness, addiction, or dysfunctional relationships. Since no family is perfect, we all have something we wish we could change in our family trees.
We can’t change the past, but we can break negative patterns, even if they have run in our families for generations. We can make healthier choices and avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. Ending these destructive cycles depends at least partly on learning to manage our emotions.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with having strong emotions. Feeling angry isn’t a sin. Even Jesus got
DIANE STARK
angry. Remember when He overturned the money changers’ tables in the temple (see Matthew 21:1213)? Anger doesn’t have to be a destructive emotion; it’s how we handle it that determines its impact on our lives and our relationships.
If we’ve always witnessed anger handled in detrimental ways, like holding a grudge, shouting, or even physical or emotional abuse, it can be hard to find better ways to deal with it. Ephesians 4:26 says, “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” Challenges in our relationships can be like riding an emotional rollercoaster, but God will help us let go of anger and even offer forgiveness to those who’ve hurt us. Because none of us is perfect, having healthy relationships is impossible unless we learn to forgive.
God can even use our anger for good. How many non-profit organizations have been founded because somebody saw an injustice that made them angry, and they decided to do something to change it? When we get angry about a situation that breaks God’s heart, our anger is justified. If it spurs us to take action to change things, our anger was worthwhile.
God gave us our emotions when He created us. Our thoughts and feelings make us who we are. Learning to manage them in healthy ways benefits everyone we encounter throughout the day. When we show love and forgiveness to someone who we think doesn’t deserve it, it points that person to God and reminds us of the love and forgiveness He’s offered us.
(left) Diane Stark is a wife, mother of five and freelance writer from rural Indiana. She loves to write about the important things in life: her family and her faith.
Photo: Washie Nadjiwan Full-Court Press Cheryl Jones (right) and her coworker, Marie Keeshig, work hard to provide care and support for the Neyaashiinigmiing First Nation
Filling a Need
CHERYL JONES’ POT OF SOUP LEADS TO MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEYAASHIINIGMIING RESIDENTS IN ONTARIO. by Melissa Yue Wallace
EACH WEEK, CHERYL JONES
and a small team of staff and volunteers diligently prepare customized food packages for community members who come to the Nawash Food Bank on Tuesday afternoons. In partnership with The Salvation Army Wiarton Community Church in Ontario, the food bank serves the Neyaashiinigmiing First Nation, a community located approximately 20-25 kilometres northeast of Wiarton with limited job opportunities and amenities such as a grocery store.
“Each package typically provides for a family for one month, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, that didn’t always last and they would need packages twice a month,” says Cheryl, who has worked as the Army’s senior program services worker (First Nations) for five years. Each package might include: canned goods, pasta, bread, bottled water, meat, vegetables, milk, eggs, toilet paper, tissue, cleaning supplies and even pet food. “We hope the packages bring life and energy to their lives and will be an encouragement and a blessing.”
Hope From Hopelessness Cheryl, who lives on the Neyaashiinigmiing reserve, understands the needs of the community and the challenges of seclusion.
Welcome Assistance Cheryl hands a gift card and voucher to Margaret Jones, a client who was grateful for the help
“There are a lot of tourists in the summer, so the camping park contributes funds but, aside from that, people fish for their livelihoods and hunt game that we survive on,” explains Cheryl. “The winter is the most difficult time for the community with bad weather, seasonal work and supply shortages.
“The Salvation Army has been helping our community from the very beginning and we’re thankful for their support.”
Before the Nawash Food Bank existed, Neyaashiinigmiing residents were travelling some distance to the Wiarton Food Bank to get food.
“They would get somebody to drive them for $20—a lot of money in 1994—to get $20 worth of food,” says Major Mary Millar, who joined The Salvation Army in November 1994. “Seventy percent of people in the community live in poverty, and the cost to get to a doctor’s appointment or other things was prohibitive.” After finding a space within the community and approaching the band, Major Mary helped launch the Nawash Food Bank in April 1995.
“It’s been a joy for me to see lives changed,” she says. “There is spring to the step and hope where there was hopelessness. I see this every day.”
Soup’s On Years before Cheryl became part of the staff at The Salvation Army, she was working part-time in a clerical position at her church and would occasionally visit the food bank with her elderly mother.
“They would sometimes offer special services to seniors so I would take her there or pick something up for her.”
On her visits to the food bank,
she noticed that many from the community would show up around lunch and that whenever staff opened a package of cookies or snacks, the snacks would disappear quickly because people were so hungry.
“I offered to do a soup kitchen, you know, like a pot of soup each time they did the food bank, and the Army welcomed that idea,” she says. “I saw there was a need, and that this was a way I could give back to my community.”
Cheryl ended up joining The Salvation Army on staff and played a role in helping services expand to community meals, clothing and household items.
“She’s a joy to work with,” says Marie Keeshig, who has worked with Cheryl at the Nawash Food Bank since March 2019. “She has dedicated years of commitment, has the heart and goes the extra mile to provide the best for the community.”
Giving Hope Cheryl stands in front of Christmas packages at the Wiarton Salvation Army
Photos: Washie Nadjiwan
CHERYL JONES
Photo: Washie Nadjiwan United in Helping Cheryl and Major Mary Millar in front of the Chippewas of Nawash Community Centre where the Nawash Food Bank is located. Major Mary helped launch the Nawash Food Bank in April 1995
Cheryl’s dream, however, is to help the Army secure its own building for a food bank. Prior to the pandemic, the food bank was located in a small room. Given the demands during COVID-19, the food bank is now located in the community centre, the largest building in the area, which has meant other activities cannot share the same space.
“During the pandemic, it’s been very difficult to do anything else other than provide food,” says Cheryl, who says they provided for 332 families in one month alone. “Once we start to downscale, we hope to work with the community on other programs such as the Pathway of Hope.” That program provides individualized support for participants to achieve short- and long-term goals, thereby addressing the root causes of poverty.
A New Purpose Co-ordinating volunteers, filing paperwork, preparing food items, continually seeking and applying for funding, and answering daily calls from the community can be tiring work, but Cheryl’s faith in God gives her strength.
Growing up in her parents’ church, Cheryl followed the rituals of going to services, but didn’t accept their faith as her own. When she was 12 years old, her father died.
CHERYL JONES
“I was sexually abused as a child and had rough teenage years,” she recalls. “There wasn’t a lot of protection and that’s when I started to get in trouble.” At 21, she got pregnant and had a son.
“I didn’t want to raise my son on my own in a life like I had, and I began to go back to church,” she continues. Cheryl attended several churches and finally found a home at a Pentecostal church. “I went to church my whole life, but it wasn’t until I started going to that church that I accepted the Lord as my Saviour. Then my life changed around.”
Cheryl finds purpose in her work, providing for and serving people with dignity. “When I came to The Salvation Army, I thought it was so perfect because we could pray at work, and prayer is such a huge part of my life.” Her 37-year-old son, Carmen, is also a believer and leads a community group called Nawash House of Prayer.
“When I look back and think of all we’ve been through, I’m so thankful,” says Cheryl. “I just pray I can continue to do God’s work however long I’m here because I do it all for Him.”
(left) Melissa Yue Wallace is a journalism graduate and freelance writer who is passionate about helping people in need and encouraging the organizations that work tirelessly to care for them. Melissa lives in Richmond Hill, Ont., with her husband and twin children.
Happy Family Nathan and Diane Stark. “If God doesn’t hold our past against us, we need to let go of it, too,” Diane told her son
Living Like We’re Forgiven
MY SON’S ACTIONS REMINDED ME HOW GOD’S ACTIONS AT EASTER SET US BOTH FREE. by Diane Stark
“Ijust went into your room to put away some laundry,” I said to my 12-year-old son, Nathan.
His facial expression changed immediately. “I’m sorry, Mom. I was going to clean my room this morning, but I forgot.”
“I understand that, but the problem is that I asked you to clean it yesterday. Last night, when I saw you playing your video game, I asked you about it and you said you were finished. You weren’t honest with me.”
He hung his head. “I’m sorry. I started working on it, but I got bored and took a break to play my game. When you asked me if it was done, I didn’t want to stop playing, so I just said yes. I thought I could finish it this morning before you found out.”
“You lied to me, and that’s not acceptable,” I went on. “You need to finish your room right now. And as a punishment, you won’t be playing video games for the rest of the week.”
Nathan nodded, his eyes filling with tears. “I’m really sorry, Mom. Will you forgive me?”
I put my arm around him. He was such a good kid and rarely had behaviour problems. He was also very sensitive, and I needed to be careful with his feelings while correcting that behaviour.
“Yes, of course, I forgive you,” I said. “I love you, and I always will. But lying to me for any reason is not
OK.”
“I know. I won’t do it again.” He gave me a hug, wiped his eyes, and then went to finish the job he should’ve done yesterday.
Grateful for Forgiveness Later that day, I went into the kitchen and found Nathan sweeping the floor, a rare occurrence without being asked.
“I unloaded the dishwasher, too,” he said earnestly.
I thanked him for his help, grabbed a glass of water and then headed back to my computer to work. An hour later, Nathan brought me a sandwich and some potato chips.
“I thought you might be hungry,” he said.
I smiled and thanked him.
“I’m going to take the dogs for a walk, and then dust the living room. What can I do for you after that?”
I studied his face for a moment. “I’m glad you’re being so helpful, but I’m not mad at you for what happened earlier. I feel like you’re trying to make up with me, but you don’t need to. I meant it when I said I forgave you.”
“I know,” he said. “But at church, my youth leader said that we need to live like we’re forgiven. That means being thankful for it and showing love to others like Jesus would.”
“So you aren’t doing these things because you feel guilty?”
He shook his head. “They said at church that it’s not about guilt. It’s about gratitude.”
Important Verse I mulled over his words, remembering the many times in my life that I’d held on to a past sin, reliving it in my mind and beating myself up over it. My guilty feelings had no power to change what I’d done, but I often gave them the power to weigh me down, as if they were a burden I’d always carry with me. I felt like they were a permanent stain on who I am today. It was a trap I didn’t want my son to fall into.
“Tell me what else you learned about God’s forgiveness,” I said.
“Jesus lived a perfect life, and He didn’t deserve to die,” Nathan replied. “But He loved us so much that He died to save us from our sins. When He died on the cross, Jesus paid the price for every bad thing we would ever do. When we
Award-Winner Nathan was one of three tenors chosen to be in his church’s choir. “He has a great voice— no idea where he got that from!” smiles his mother, Diane
accept Jesus’ sacrifice, it’s like God erases our sin—all of them, even the really bad ones, like lying to your mom.” He smiled and continued, “If our sin is gone, there’s no reason to feel guilty about it.”
I nodded. “If God doesn’t hold our past against us, we need to let go of it, too.”
Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, no sin can leave a permanent stain, I reminded myself. The Bible says that if you belong to Christ, you are a new creation (see 2 Corinthians 5:17).
“I know that verse,” Nathan said. “It says our old life is gone and a brand-new one is starting. God doesn’t want us to feel guilty for our old life. We should just be thankful for the new life we get because of God’s forgiveness.” A New Life I smiled, amazed at his wisdom. “You’re right. Living like we’re forgiven means that we’re free from guilt. We should always be grateful for that, and our gratitude should show in the way we treat others.”
He nodded. “My youth leader also said that after we’re forgiven, we need to try to do better. God knows that we’ll never be perfect, but we shouldn’t keep sinning on purpose just because we know He’ll forgive us.” He smiled. “I won’t lie anymore, even though I know you’d forgive me if I did.”
I hugged him, grateful for God’s love and the forgiveness that set both of us free, erasing the stain of sin and granting us a new life in Christ.
