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.”
In the late 19th century, General William Booth, co-Founder of The Salvation Army, put forward a scheme to help aspiring British emigrants find new homes in Canada. By 1914, the Army had helped bring more than 100,000 people to Canada, a total that eventually rose to an estimated 250,000. Leaflets (above) advertising lectures by Salvation Army
Last fall, I visited Glace Bay, N.S., where The Salvation Army serves a homestyle meal for lunch every week, and met Robert. Stepping into any new situation for the first time can be difficult, but Robert embraced the challenge. He arrived one Thursday and found a warm welcome to a new community—a place of acceptance, a place where he was
For more than a decade, the S.O.UL. Dance program at Prince George Community Church, B.C., has been providing an accessible outlet for children and youth to express their souls, while learning about God and dance. “Dance is such a beautiful combination of physical and soul expression,” says Kessa Daniels, who leads the program. “When we’re able
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