The Voice of The Salvation Army

Prince George Corps, B.C., Wins Environmental Award

Environmental leadership award reflects a number of “greening” efforts made by The Salvation Army this past year.

January 29, 2013 Leave a Comment


The Prince George Salvation Army wins an environmental leadership award

Prince George Community Church, B.C., has won the local Chamber of Commerce’s environmental leadership award for 2012. This is the first time The Salvation Army has received this award—one of 10 business excellence awards that the chamber gives to local businesses every year—confirming that the Army is now a major player in the green movement in the city. This award reflects a number of … [Read more...]

Planting Seeds at Mountainview

A Salvation Army summer camp in British Columbia gives kids confidence

July 26, 2012 by Andrew Hudson Leave a Comment


Canoeing

On Superhero Supper day, the kids at Mountainview summer camp in Houston, B.C., are loudly lining up for lunch wearing beach-towel capes. The girls’ and boys’ lines wriggle and bunch, quickly losing shape as one more camper runs up or shows off a superhero pose. “C’mon Bears, you can do it!” shouts camp director Erica Azak, clapping to cheer them on. The four cabins—Bears, … [Read more...]

Key to a Fresh Start

Vancouver’s Grace Mansion gives clients a place to call home.

May 30, 2012 by Ken Ramstead Leave a Comment


A beaming Robert Harris receives the key to his apartment from residential support worker Diane Macleod

Without Grace Mansion, I’d be dead in some back alley over there,” says Grace Edge, motioning down the street to Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. “The Salvation Army and Grace Mansion saved my life.” Filling a Need In 2006, The Salvation Army purchased an underused seniors’ facility to provide housing and support services for Vancouver’s at-risk and homeless population. Six months … [Read more...]

Games Night at Metrotown Citadel in Burnaby, B.C.

When the program launched, approximately 20 mothers and children came to the games night, which happens every Friday. Now, nearly 60 people attend each week.

May 15, 2012 by Kristin Fryer 1 Comment


Joy Zhang and her daughter, Lily, play games at the Metrotown Citadel games night

It’s important for mothers to form deep and lasting connections with their children, which is why The Salvation Army recognizes the need for programs that foster these relationships. Captains Paul and Lisa Trickett, corps officers at Metrotown Citadel in Burnaby, B.C., didn’t set out to create a program for single mothers, but when they started a games night for families last fall, that’s … [Read more...]

Community Potluck Helps Nanaimo Families

Monthly dinner program reaches out to low-income individuals and families

May 4, 2012 by Kristin Fryer Leave a Comment


nanaimo-potluck

Hot food, cheerful decorations and good company are the hallmarks of a new community potluck program that is helping low-income families in Nanaimo, B.C. This potluck dinner is held at Nanaimo Community Church on the third Friday of every month, a week before the B.C. government issues income and disability assistance cheques. The program is the result of a proposal made by a corps member at … [Read more...]

Gibsons Corps Celebrates Recovery

Recovery program helps people overcome their “hurts, habits and hang-ups”

April 12, 2012 by Kristin Fryer 1 Comment


“When my husband, Rob, and I moved to the Sunshine Coast, we found out that there was no Christian recovery program here,” says Jennifer Henson. “Living on the Coast, people are separated from Vancouver by a ferry and they can’t access resources. So to have a recovery program here was something that was really needed.” Jennifer and Rob Henson are the facilitators of Celebrate … [Read more...]

Fort St. John Children Learn About the Army

Students in the Grade 5/6 class at Baldonnel Elementary School in Fort St. John, B.C., supported The Salvation Army this past Christmas

February 7, 2012 Leave a Comment


Fort-St.-John-Children

Students in the Grade 5/6 class at Baldonnel Elementary School in Fort St. John, B.C., supported The Salvation Army this past Christmas. As part of their classroom studies, the children learned to make willow chairs, one of which was raffled off and a financial donation made to the Army from the proceeds. The school also collected food items for distribution through the Army. The students from … [Read more...]

Helping to Heal

Chiropractor Norm Detillieux uses his skills to help the less fortunate in Nanaimo, B.C. 

November 16, 2011 by Ken Ramstead Leave a Comment


DSC_0295

“It’s always been my dream to help the less fortunate,” says Norm Detillieux, a chiropractor in Nanaimo, B.C. “Now, with The Salvation Army’s help, I am putting my dream into practice, helping people help themselves. It’s a wonderful feeling.” Something to Offer Norm was born just outside of Prince Albert, Sask. “I’m a farm boy,” he smiles, “and growing up on a farm … [Read more...]

Mental Health Needs Being Met at Salvation Army Facility

A recently-hired psychiatric nurse at the Centre of Hope, Abbotsford, B.C., is helping clients, staff and the community

November 2, 2011 by Julia Hosking Leave a Comment


Christine Walker, psychiatric nurse for the Centre of Hope, meets with four to five clients per day to discuss their mental health concerns

Police in British Columbia recently noted that a third of their calls are classed as “nuisance calls,” disturbances often caused by people with mental health concerns. This is a figure particularly evident as a result of a major mental health hospital closing down several years ago. Observing the need in the community, The Salvation Army’s Centre of Hope, part of Cascade Community Church, … [Read more...]

Planting Seeds in Victoria

Meaningful connections in the community lead to growth at High Point Community Church

October 24, 2011 by Julia Hosking Leave a Comment


Lts Alison and Peter Lublink, COs, High Point Community Church, are passionate about connecting with their neighbourhood

The Salvation Army’s High Point Community Church in Victoria is a hive of activity. Saturdays are especially busy at their toy lending library. While children rummage through the collection of toys and test them in the playgroup area, parents socialize over coffee and volunteers clean and return the borrowed items. “From 9 a.m. to noon, the church is filled with laughter, friendly chatter … [Read more...]