The Salvation Army opened a new Centre of Hope in Port Hardy, B.C., this past March, to serve the wider Mount Waddington community. Previously known as the Lighthouse Resource Centre, the centre offers free services and programs to the public with a focus on individuals facing unemployment, addictions, mental illness, homelessness and other personal barriers.

Built on the foundation of respect and a love of Jesus, the Centre of Hope’s mission is to offer a safe, nurturing environment to anybody in need. They operate on a philosophy of 'everyone is welcome' and vow to maintain an open-door policy, free of judgment. From Monday to Friday, the centre serves hot lunches and provides shower and laundry facilities, a computer resource room, prayer and spiritual care, and clothing, food and hygiene products. Other services are available throughout the week such as mental health support, nurse practitioners, legal consult and AA meetings. The centre also provides 12 shelter beds during cold months.

The Centre of Hope operates under the pillars of hope, love, dignity and respect. “I want to express my deep and heartfelt gratitude to The Salvation Army for investing in the Mount Waddington region,” says Michael Winter, community ministries supervisor at the Centre of Hope. “I pray that our ministry unit continues to be used by God—to love, to support, to encourage, to serve and, through it all, witness transformation.”

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