The Centre of Hope in London, Ont., offers a food bank, spiritual care ministry, addiction services, housing support and Christmas programs. And since 2011, the centre has provided free chiropractic care to those who can't afford it, thanks to a team of 12 chiropractors who offer their skills every Friday.
“We see about 60-80 people each week and it all takes place in the chapel,” says Dr. Rod Overton. “So it's a hustling, bustling and interesting place to be working.”
Growing out of a desire to give back to the community, the team of chiropractors and other volunteers aims to improve the mobility and overall health of those who need it.
“A lot of these people don't have as much access to many aspects of health care and a healthy diet,” he says. “While chiropractic care is inexpensive for some people, there is a certain portion of society that would never enter our clinics and would not receive any care.
“These are the people we wanted to target and deliver care to.”
Since opening the clinic, Dr. Overton says some patients have been able to return to work after being treated for ailments and some will volunteer to help keep the clinic running.
“My ultimate goal is to see other clinics open up in Salvation Army missions across the country.”
For nearly three years, Alison has been a familiar face at the thrift store, volunteering three times a week. Her main role consists of taking care of the book donations. For this reason, she is affectionately known as the “Book Lady” by fellow staff members and customers.
In 21st-century Canada, the church is no longer a central part of society and has been pushed instead to the periphery. We are now post-Christian, grappling with declining church membership and wondering how to engage the next generation. What is God saying to us at this moment in history? How is the Holy Spirit speaking to generation Z and young millennial Christ-followers, and are we as boomers and gen-Xers seriously listening to his voice through them?
Although we are all equal in God’s eyes, the lived experienceof many women officers shows that the work of gender equityremains important. There is still much to be done as the Canadaand Bermuda Territory honours its commitment to equitableleadership development and opportunities for female and maleofficers to flourish. Let’s bust some myths to clarify why workingtoward gender equity is still necessary.
The chiropractic team and other volunteers at the Centre of Hope in London, Ont. (Photo: Studio Kuefner Photography)
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