Weblog | Salvation Army Community Centre

Evacuating

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:04:00 +0000

As CBC reports, around 1100 people from Stony Rapids, Black Lake, Uranium City, Pelican Narrows and Sandy Bay are being forced to flee their homes with almost 700 people coming to Saskatoon. The Salvation Army Community Centre is assisting with evacuation efforts by helping house, feed, and offer up assistance in any way the residents need.

If you are interested in volunteering with relief efforts, please call the Centre at 242-6833 and talk to Crystal.

Technorati Tags: Salvation Army,Stony Rapids,Uranium City,Pelican Narrows,Sandy Bay,forest fires,Saskatoon

Housing Handbook

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:15:00 +0000

Here is a resource that many will find helpful, the City of Saskatoon has just released a new housing handbook (PDF) which can be downloaded for free from their website. It has up to date information for renters, home owners, and landlords all in one convenient place.

2008 Barbecue at Riverbend Institution

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:32:00 +0000

Earlier this week four staff from the Centre made the trip to Prince Albert to Riverbend Institution to put on a barbecue for the inmates and staff. Several hundred hot dogs and hamburgers (and a lot of smoke) later, everyone left feeling full and our van was a lot lighter going back to the Saskatoon than it was when we left.

Before the barbecue got going, I had a chance to take some quick photos of us getting started. All of the photos can be found here.

Crescent Shuttle Service has been canceled

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Fri, 30 May 2008 02:12:00 +0000

Saskatoon Transit’s Crescent Shuttle, a free service connecting Riversdale, Broadway and the Downtown, will be cancelled as of June 1, 2008 according to the City of Saskatoon website. Anyone looking for more information on Transit information can check out the City of Saskatoon's site.

Frontline Job Opening

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Tue, 27 May 2008 15:02:00 +0000

The Salvation Army Community Centre has a job opening for a full time night position. The pay is good and the benefits are excellent. The position is both working our front desk at night, assisting clients, and doing some Emergency After Hours support. Other nights it will be doing some janitorial work and just assisting on the front desk. If you are interested, there is more information posted at Sask Jobs.

Technorati Tags: help wanted,Saskatoon

Help Wanted

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Mon, 26 May 2008 16:49:00 +0000

Salvation Army Community Centre is hiring a full time cook. More information can be found online here.

Why thrift still thrives

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Fri, 23 May 2008 03:29:00 +0000

From Christian Week

And if it weren't for faith-based thrift stores, those second-hand shops run by various Christian ministries and scattered from one end of Canada to another, a lot of ministry in this country-and beyond-just wouldn't happen.
The words “faith-based thrift store” usually call to mind the ubiquitous “Sally-Annes” (Salvation Army Thrift Stores) across Canada. The Salvation Army's National Recycling operation runs between 120 and 130 thrift stores in urban centres, and local Salvation Army offices operate another 220 smaller stores. For more than 100 years these stores have been raising funds for the Christian charity that is today the largest non-governmental provider of social services in Canada.
Diane Van der Horden is director of public relations for The Salvation Army, Maritime Division. When discussing the role of the thrift store, she uses the term “national recycling operation.”
Nowadays, that is an essential part of the identity of the thrift store for The Salvation Army. Yes, the stores raise millions of dollars for Salvation Army projects, but their website, materials and spokespeople also focus on the environmental impact those stores have by saving vases, bicycles, trombones, clothes-you name it-from landfill sites.
“The Salvation Army may have been one of the agencies involved with recycling before it became one of the buzzwords of our culture,” says Diane. “The revenue is important, absolutely essential actually, but also the leadership The Salvation Army plays in diverting things from landfills. Local municipalities are amazed at the volume that The Salvation Army diverts.” Nationally run stores alone rescue more than 50 million lbs of merchandise from disposal each year.
The Salvation Army has also gotten savvy at marketing. You can now buy gift cards for shopping at their stores. They also sell on EBay. Thrift store shopping has gone mainstream, which is good for business-and great for ministry.

While there are two Salvation Army Thrift Stores in Saskatoon, we have the Clothes Cave and the Dock inside the Centre. They provide free clothes, furniture, and goods to people in need all across the city. For more information on when they are open or if you have goods to donate, contact the Centre.

Technorati Tags: Sally Ann,Salvation Army,Thrift Stores,Christian Week

Red Shield Appeal Continues

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Fri, 23 May 2008 03:25:00 +0000

From the Salvation Army website...

Halfway through the month, The Salvation Army’s May Red Shield Campaign, a fundraising appeal to raise money for programs and services available to the nearly 5 million Canadians living in poverty, is still in need of support.
“The month of May is critical as The Salvation Army continues to raise funds to sustain our programs that serve many living below or at the poverty line,” says Graham D. Moore, Territorial Secretary for Public Relations and Development. “We trust that Canadians will continue to be generous as we seek to help the vulnerable and marginalized.”
With a goal of $3 million, money raised during the Red Shield Campaign will go directly to support a vast array of social programs available to Canadian families that includes food banks, practical assistance, shelter, addictions services and street youth outreach.
In addition to this fundraising effort, Salvation Army officers, staff and volunteers will work to raise overall awareness regarding the problem of poverty in Canada. The child poverty rate remains at 11.7%; exactly the same as it was in 1989 and the average low income family survives on an annual income that is $9,000 to 11,000 below Statistics Canada’s before tax low income cut-off. A national Salvation Army advertising campaign will also highlight the problem of poverty in Canada this May, under the tagline “Poverty shouldn’t be a life sentence.”

Technorati Tags: Salvation Army,Red Shield,poverty

Homelessness Count 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Thu, 15 May 2008 02:31:00 +0000

The Community University Institute for Social Research needs your help!

On May 22, 2008, the Institute will be conducting a homeless count in specific areas of downtown Saskatoon. The results will passed along to policy-makers and outreach workers with the hope of augmenting services.

For more information or to volunteer, please e-mail: homelesscount2008@gmail.com

Technorati Tags: CUISR,Saskatoon,homelessness

Remembering Rod Anderson

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Thu, 15 May 2008 02:19:00 +0000

Today the Centre shut down over lunch time as most of the staff attended the funeral for Rod Anderson. Rod has been staff for just over two years at the Centre and will be much missed by the staff and residents. His obituary from the Star Phoenix is below.

Rodney Peter Anderson January 21st, 1972 May 8th, 2008 Rodney Anderson passed unexpectedly on Thursday, May 8th, 2008. He will be loved and remembered by his sister, Evelyn Anderson (Randy Hebb); brother, David Anderson; step father, David Hardie; uncles, Merle (Esther) Anderson, Mervin Anderson; aunts, Brenda Anderson and Yvonne (Irvin) Steiner and numerous cousins. Rodney was predeceased by his mother, Joanne; grandfather, Peter and grandmother, Emma.

2008 Camp Dates for Beaver Creek Camps

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Fri, 09 May 2008 03:10:00 +0000

Dates for Beaver Creek Camps in 2008

Mom & Tots: June 20-22
Teen Camp (Ages 12-16): July 1-4
Adventure Camp (Ages 7-12) August 4-8

Apply at the Family Services entrance of the Salvation Army Community Centre.

Cost is $25.00 each and you will need to provide a copy of the health card for each child that is attending camp.

For more information on Beaver Creek Camp, check out their website.

Technorati Tags: Beaver Creek Camp

2008 Red Shield Campaign

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Fri, 09 May 2008 03:03:00 +0000

From the Salvation Army website

Toronto, May 5, 2008 – The Salvation Army is launching the Red Shield Campaign, a fundraising appeal to raise money for programs and services available to the nearly 5 million Canadians living in poverty today.
“The month of May is a critical time for The Salvation Army,” said Graham D. Moore, Territorial Secretary for Public Relations and Development. “Many families across Canada live below the poverty line and the funds raised during this time will help sustain our programs as we continue to serve the marginalized in communities throughout the country”
With a goal of $3 million, money raised during the Red Shield Campaign will go directly to support a vast array of social programs available to Canadian families that includes food banks, practical assistance, shelter, addictions services and street youth outreach.
In addition to this fundraising effort, Salvation Army officers, staff and volunteers will work to raise overall awareness regarding the problem of poverty in Canada. The child poverty rate remains at 11.7%; exactly the same as it was in 1989 and the average low income family survives on an annual income that is $9,000 to 11,000 below Statistics Canada’s before tax low income cut-off. A national Salvation Army advertising campaign will also highlight the problem of poverty in Canada this May, under the tagline “Poverty shouldn’t be a life sentence.”
As the leading non-governmental direct provider of social services in Canada, each year, The Salvation Army:
Provides direct, compassionate, hands-on service to over 1.5 million people
Provides 6,370 shelter beds for the homeless each night, 1/3 of all the shelter beds in Canada
Provides practical assistance to over 900,000 family members
Serves 2.3 million meals to the hungry
The Salvation Army’s Red Shield fundraising Campaign is an annual fundraising event that is in its 89th year. It utilizes online, phone, direct mail and door-to-door appeals to solicit donations from generous Canadians. Giving to The Salvation Army offers an opportunity to invest in the future of marginalized and overlooked people in your community. Please visit www.SalvationArmy.ca or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY for more information and to donate.

You can also donate at the Salvation Army Community Centre. If you need more information, contact us at 306.242.6833

Technorati Tags: Salvation Army,Red Shield

The Salvation Army in Myanmar (Burma) responds to Cyclone Nargis

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Tue, 06 May 2008 23:49:00 +0000

The Salvation Army in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) is responding to the devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis, which is thought to have killed more than 20,000 people. Communications to Myanmar have been severely affected but news has been received that local Salvationists are helping victims in the Yangon area.

As is reported on the Salvation Army's international website

A Salvation Army assessment team from the region is en route to the affected area and will make plans for the most immediate needs to be met. There is no doubt that this tragedy has caused much suffering and that it will take a long time for Myanmar and the population to recover from the effects of this unexpected devastation.

Major Mike Caffull, Field Operations Officer of International Emergency Services, says: 'Early indications suggest that Salvationists in Myanmar are responding magnificently to the disaster that has hit their country, but it is also clear that there is going to be a great need for substantial financial support to enable an appropriate response to the damage and suffering that is already being experienced and which is likely to continue for some time.'

Click here to donate to international efforts of the Salvation Army.

Technorati Tags: Myanmar,Burma,Cyclone Nargis

Housing Trends in Saskatoon

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Tue, 06 May 2008 04:05:00 +0000

These slides came from a recent seminar by CMHC on housing in Saskatoon. We posted here some of the more interesting statistics detailing the cost and how hard it is to find shelter in Saskatoon. The second chart also mirror our own increase of usage at the Centre.

Technorati Tags: CHMC,housing trends

Mobilize 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:53:00 +0000

Several Centre staff along with Major Henri are in Calgary this week to take in Mobilize 2008, a conference on Emergency and Disaster Relief with the Salvation Army.

Seminars include emergency food handling, international emergency services, handing emergencies locally, and how to operate in the Incident Command System.

While we hope we will never be called upon to use what we have learned, if we are called, we will be prepared. An overview of what the Saskatoon Salvation Army Community Centre's Emergency Disaster Services can be found here.

If you are interested, we also found some time to tour other Emergency Disaster Vehicles while we were there. They are posted to our photo gallery and can be viewed here.

Technorati Tags: Mobilize 2008

Ministry Weekend | May 23-25, 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:48:00 +0000

Who: The Salvation Army Community Centre together with local churches.
What: Speakers, bands, and food.
When May 23-25th, 2008
Where: Salvation Army Community Centre Parking lot

For more information or to volunteer, please contact Crystal or Cindy at 242-6833

2007 by the numbers

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:16:00 +0000

Where did the donations go in 2007

Beaver Creek Camp: 458 campers

Bethany Home:

8 babies cared for
74 young women cared for
10 188 meals served
3396 total days of care
26 Pre & Post Natal Youth

Safe House for children ages 0-4yrs

81 Children housed
For a total of 2649 days
With a total of 6947 meals

Community Centre

113 Family Tracing Cases
13, 871 peoples assisted at Family Services
4205 families assisted at Christmas
4055 people served via the Nutana Breakfast Program
15 families helped with fire assistance
67, 417 meals provided
10, 368 beds provided

How can you help?

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:51:00 +0000

If you are wondering how you can get involved in serving at the Salvation Army Community Centre, there are several ways and places where you make a difference. If you are looking to volunteer, check out the web page and contact our volunteer coordinator, Crystal Genaille. If you are looking to give, our contact and giving information can be found here. If you are looking to donate some goods, please check out our wishlist.

Which ever way you choose to get involved, we are glad that we can partner in it together.

Thanks for your help!

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:45:00 +0000

A special thanks to everyone that baked for and purchased goods from our fundraising bake sale at the Mall at Lawson Heights over the weekend. The proceeds go to support family service programming out of the Centre which make a difference in the lives of many though out Saskatoon.

Technorati Tags: The Mall at Lawson Heights,bake sale

Garage Sale on Tuesday!

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 22:26:00 +0000

Our SAGE classroom is holding a garage sale on Tuesday, April 15th at the Centre. The selection will be HUGE and the prices will be low.

All the proceeds from the sale go to support SAGE and the work they do with high school students at the Centre (it also helps us clear out The Dock) We look forward to seeing you there!

Update: The Garage Sale will be held on Friday, May 2nd. Same time and same place.

Riversdale Local Area Plan

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 02:18:00 +0000

This is a Public Service Announcement from the City of Saskatoon that may be of interest to some of you.

The City of Saskatoon City Planning Branch is hosting an Open House to showcase the Riversdale Local Area Plan Final Draft Report with the community:

Tuesday, April 15
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Royal Canadian Legion 606 Spadina Crescent West

This is a drop-in event where the public is welcome anytime during the Open House.
The City of Saskatoon and the Riversdale Local Area Planning Committee (a committee of residents, property owners, business owners and other stakeholders) have been working on a comprehensive plan for Riversdale to help guide the growth and development of the neighbourhood.

Task Force on Affordable Housing

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 20:38:00 +0000

The Government of Saskatchewan is asking for input regarding affordable housing in Saskatchewan on their website. If you have any thoughts or opinions on the topic, the task force would love to hear them.

Technorati Tags: Task Force on Housing Affordability

Pancake Breakfast

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:29:00 +0000

Crocus Co-op is holding a pancake breakfast on May 8th from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. at 106 Avenue B South. They are recognizing Mental Health Week and everyone is welcome.

Also, for those of you who know our Budget Management worker, Sharon Brown, she is serving pancakes from 9:00 to 9:15 a.m. that Thursday so come on down and see Sharon during her 15 minutes of fame.

Search our website

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:04:00 +0000

With our domain name and site being pretty new, it took us a while for Google to find us. Now that they have, you can search our entire site here.

Job Openings

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:52:00 +0000

The Salvation Army Community Centre is hiring and has the following jobs available:

Follow the links for more information on the job and how to apply.

Technorati Tags: jobs,employment,Salvation Army,Saskatoon