Salvationists, donors, leaders and community members were on hand to help The Salvation Army officially break ground at the new Centre of Hope in St. John’s, N.L., in March.

Along with Commissioner Susan McMillan, territorial commander, there were a number of special guests participating in the milestone, including Seamus O’Regan, member of Parliament, St. John’s South—Mount Pearl, Premier Dwight Ball, Mayor Danny Breen and Barry Perry, president and chief executive officer of Fortis Inc.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, Major Rene Loveless, divisional secretary for public relations and development, Newfoundland and Labrador Division, said, “Today our hearts are bursting with gratitude as we reflect on the hard work, dreams and perseverance of our organization, our partners and stakeholders that will now transform the Centre of Hope from a concept into a reality.”

A large crowd gathered at the site of the new Centre of Hope

The Centre of Hope will be a much-needed resource that will help combat the effects of poverty, drug addiction and homelessness in Newfoundland and Labrador. The complex will provide housing for the homeless, a health clinic, a food bank, emergency disaster services, mental health services and drug addictions programs for the most vulnerable in our society.

“This is a day of celebration and excitement for The Salvation Army in our province,” says Lt-Colonel Eddie Vincent, divisional commander, Newfoundland and Labrador Division. “The outpouring of support from our community, business and government partners moves us to this stage of realizing our vision for supporting the ongoing needs of our people. We now look forward to the construction phase and eagerly anticipate our move in date, when hope will indeed find a place to call home.”

“If the strength of a community can be judged on the degree to which it cares for its most vulnerable people, then ours is a very strong community indeed,” says Dean Brinton, capital campaign Chair. “The Centre of Hope would not have been possible without the many private and public sector supporters whose generosity has ensured that the centre will continue providing programs and services on Springdale Street, where The Salvation Army has been for more than 100 years.”

To see more photos and to watch a video of the groundbreaking ceremony, visit The Salvation Army Newfoundland and Labrador's Facebook page.