Weblog | Salvation Army Community Centre

Salvation Army Week of Compassion for Haiti

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:47:00 +0000

Dear Friends,

The Salvation Army is embarking on a special fundraising event to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

From February 1-6, the Salvation Army kettles – normally seen during our annual Christmas campaigns – will be out at shopping malls and stores across Saskatoon.

We need volunteers to make this happen.

If you have wondered how to directly help the millions of people affected by the earthquake’s destruction, this is your chance. Volunteer for a kettle shift!

100% of donations go to The Salvation Army Haiti Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund. The fund provides medicine and medical treatment, food, purified drinking water, shelter, and much, much more.

More than 700 Salvation Army personnel are providing relief in Haiti right now, and many more will follow.

Please consider playing a role in The Salvation Army’s Haiti Disaster Relief. Call 242-6833, extension 239.

A few hours of your time goes a long way towards helping the people of Haiti right now.

Earthquake in Haiti

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:17:00 +0000

The Boston Globe’s Big Picture has a series of photos that captures some of the devastation in Haiti. If you want, you can securely donate to Salvation Army relief efforts here or you come by and do what many others in Saskatoon have and make a donation at the Centre. The Salvation Army also has a photoset which shows much of the devastation on the ground in Port au Prince.

The bells are ringing at Stonegate Shopping Centre this Christmas.

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:56:00 +0000

This was released this morning to media outlets in Saskatoon.

Wal-Mart and The Brick welcomed Salvation Army Christmas kettles into their Stonegate stores as of Thursday evening.

Both stores came on board after hearing that The Salvation Army’s kettle donations have been slower than expected this year.
“We want to thank our generous new partners for answering the call,” says Major Henri Regamey from The Salvation Army. “We also want to thank Tony Roma’s for being the first on board at Stonegate.”
Both Tony Roma locations have “counter kettles,” unmanned kettles that sit at checkout counters during the holiday season.
The Salvation Army is thrilled to welcome these new partners. With their help, we will continue to provide hope to the most vulnerable in Saskatoon at Christmas and throughout the year.
With two new kettle locations and a week to go until Christmas, bell ringers are urgently needed. Volunteers can call Carol at 242-6833.

For more information, please contact:

Jackie Kripki, Communications Specialist for Northern Saskatchewan , at (cell) 306-371-5402
OR
Captain Rhonda Smith at (office) 306-242-6833 or (cell) 306-270-1728
The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882 and has grown to become the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country. We give hope and support to vulnerable people today and everyday in 400 communities across Canada and 118 countries.
The Salvation Army Christmas Kettles provide families with Christmas hampers that include food for the holidays and toys for the children. The kettles also fund our many year-round support programs, such as counseling, rehabilitation, and family programming.

2009 Santa Claus Parade Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:16:00 +0000

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

The Salvation Army's entry in the 2009 Santa Claus Parade. Thanks to everyone who made the day a great success!

Salvation Army Annual Christmas Dinner Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:08:00 +0000

I know I am late posting these but thanks to everyone who made the 2009 Annual Salvation Army Community Christmas Dinner a big success. I did manage to take some photos and you can see the photoset here or check out the gallery below.

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Winter in Saskatoon

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:37:00 +0000

If you are in Saskatoon right now, you just survived a really cold snap and even though it has warmed up quite a bit, it is still cold outside.

Many people phone and e-mail and ask what do we do when it gets this cold. Well we do a bunch of things to make sure that no one is left out in the cold.

During the day we open our lounge up for clients so they can stay out of the cold. While normally we close down the place for cleaning during the day, when it is this cold, it stays open all day so guys do not have to go outside. As soon as the dorms and washrooms are cleaned, we open all of them back up for the men so they can have some more space to relax, catch up on some sleep, or read.
People naturally assume that we get a lot busier when it gets this cold but generally it is a little quieter (people tend to hunker down and stay put when it is this cold). If we do get busier, we would make available our entire building rather than refuse someone (we hate refusing anyone on the basis of space at the best of times but in the winter we make sure that no one is going to freeze). Years ago I took a tour of an old Soviet submarine. It had bunks on the engines and the torpedoes. While the Centre doesn't have torpedoes, we will put a mattress and a bunk anywhere if it means that no one is left out in the cold. If we do run out of room, we put clients up in local hotels.
We work with Larson House and the Saskatoon City Police to ensure people who are intoxicated or high are taken care of if they do wander into our place. Speaking of the Saskatoon City Police, officers do bring in people that do not have shelter or who have been found in shelter that isn't suitable for the weather outside. We warm them up, give them suitable winter gear, and give them a safe place to sleep. Outside of the city limits, the local RCMP does the same thing with hitchhikers. They bring them down and we help them out.
Our Clothing Cave is generally open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday but in cold weather we outfit people any time they need it. At both of our reception areas we have mitts, toques, scarves, socks, and thanks to the generous donations of the people of Saskatoon.
While this doesn't happen just because it is really cold out, once the temperature starts to dip a bit, the kitchen staff bring out the porridge and oat meal. Wilfred Brimley would be proud. When it is cold like this the kitchen tends to heap up the portions and serves bigger meals to compensate for the calories burned to stay warm.

Despite our best efforts, there are still people choosing to be outside this winter. We know many of them through their past stays with us or through our drop in programs during the day and on the weekend evenings. At every opportunity we invite them to come and stay with us or we work at finding other sleeping arrangements for them if we are not their best option. It’s an ongoing process but one we continue to ensure that those who are in the cold have safe and warm accommodations during our winter. Even for those who refuse our offers of warmth, we provide blankets, warm (or warmer) clothing and winter gear to help them keep warm.

If you are looking for a way to help, there are a couple things you can do to make a difference.

Donate. Whether it be a financial donation or if you have a warm winter jacket, socks, toques, gloves, men's underwear (and long underwear) or a scarf, it all helps out. You can drop off a donation at 339 Avenue C South anytime, day or night. When it is this cold we give out the stuff as soon as it comes in so whatever you can give, our clients appreciate tremendously.
Direct people panhandling or who are in need to us. At this temperature we do not turn anyone away and we work with the Ministry of Social Services to ensure all of their essential needs are met. A warm bed and three and a half meals a day are provided (we provide a filling snack at night as well). If the person needs a different agency or more help then we can offer, we keep them safe, warm, and comfortable while we arrange whatever help is needed.
Help spread the news about what we do. Despite being here for over 100 years, some people don't know that there is a men's hostel in town or that we help women in emergency need. We work hard at getting the word out but we can always use your help as well.

Under what circumstances is someone forbidden to stay at the Salvation Army?

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:08:00 +0000

We get this asked once in a while and this answer comes from our F.A.Q.

While we try our best at helping out the most amount of people possible, there are some people that we do not allow to reside or use services at the Salvation Army.
In the past some clients have become extremely violent towards staff or other clients or have endangered people who stay or work here in another way (drug dealing, starting fires, or extensive willful damage to the facility).
There are some clients who insist on abusing drugs, alcohol, or other substances which impact their ability to stay here. The Centre is full of clients who are working hard at staying clean and sober and for those who are not at that point, we are not always their best option. Also there are those that can not function within the rules of the Centre and become a danger to the staff and other people around them. In those cases other residential placements are better options.
In the vast majority of cases we will ban a client for a finite period of time and after that time is past, we welcome them back to the Centre and we will work well together at resolving the issues we have.
There are some clients however that because of consistent danger towards others, are not allowed to come back until those violence issues are dealt with.

While we are the only men’s hostel in town, there are other supported living spaces available. What we find is that there is a wide range of individuals that need emergency shelter and while we would like to be able to help everyone, this is the wrong kind of place for a small percentage of clients to be. When possible, we work with the Ministry of Social Services and other agencies to find better placements.

There are the occasional situation that we just have to refuse for the safety of staff, other residents, and the public we serve. It’s not a decision we make lightly and as a provider of emergency housing, having to refuse someone does go against who we are but there are times we have no other option and have to refuse services to them.

If you have any questions about how we handle these situations, feel free to contact the Centre at 244.6280 or email Jordon Cooper, our Residential Coordinator.

Brent and Penny’s Adopt a Family

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:18:00 +0000

Our friends over at Rawlco Radio are online with the information for this year’s Brent and Penny’s Adopt-a-Family

Long time Morning Team Brent Loucks and Penney Murphy created the Adopt A Family program in 1988- bringing businesses, communities, families and individuals together to help less fortunate Saskatoon and area families.

The growth of the program in twenty one years has been astounding! $5000 was raised in 1988 and over $100,000 in cash, food and gifts was raised in 2008. More than 400 families, including 1300 children, received gifts and a wonderful meal for Christmas. There are many incredible examples of children who received gifts through the Adopt A Family program, and were so emotionally impacted by the random act of kindness, that as adults have chosen to help another local family.

We are thankful for our partnership with Rawlco Radio through the Brent & Penny Adopt-a-Family and Rock 102’s Toy Soldier campaign as we work with the citizens of Saskatoon to ensure everyone has a Merry Christmas.

Online Christmas Hamper Applications

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:30:00 +0000

For those of you who know if a family who may need some help this Christmas, the Salvation Army Community Centre is accepting online applications for Christmas Hampers starting today. You can also register in person starting November 16th. If you have questions about what the Salvation Army is doing in Saskatoon over the Christmas season, our Christmas portal can be found at www.salvationarmysaskatoon.org/christmas/ which gives information on events, volunteer opportunities, and locations as they become available.

Nomadic Dwellings

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:07:00 +0000

This is being hosted by our neighbors at the aka gallery.

Folie/Culture presents: Nomadic Dwellings

Performances throughout Saskatoon:
October 20th to 23rd, 2009
Opening with artists in attendance:
October 23rd at 7pm
Quebec-based activist art group Folie/Culture, presents the architectural project Nomadic Dwellings in Saskatoon beginning October 20th, 2009. Began in 2007, the project calls on architects and artists to conceive nomadic dwellings for itinerants. The shelters had to be designed for one person, with materials that were easily found in Canada, inexpensive, and recyclable if possible. They also had to be reusable and easy to set up by one person alone.
Between October 20th and October 23rd, the artists involved will set up and display the works in several highly visible locations throughout the city. In the current climate of myopic boosterism for Saskatoon’s bourgeoning economy, this exhibition serves as a reminder of the social reality of itinerancy. As vacancy rates fall and rents increase, the most vulnerable among us fall through the cracks and are faced with the prospect of living without shelter.
While the project is not intended as a solution to the problem of homelessness, it does aim to increase awareness of the issue. Placing the architectural act in the everyday suggests a discomfiting social encounter that architects do not often rub up against. The paradoxical meeting of architecture and itinerancy reveals the degree of interconnectedness between these seemingly disparate sites within the social body.
Since 1984, Folie/Culture has facilitated contemporary art projects with a specific focus on awareness building in mental health. They encourage the work of artists who intervene in the field of social perceptions, engaging a public who may not otherwise encounter contemporary art.

H1N1 Virus and the Salvation Army Community Centre

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:27:00 +0000

We thought that we would let you know that the Salvation Army Community Centre does have a plan to deal with H1N1 if it hits Saskatchewan hard. We have a plan to minimize it’s affects on our residents and the general public. If we do have an outbreak of it at the Centre, we have plans to help those who are infected as well as keeping our other residents safe.

For more information on H1N1 in Saskatchewan, check out Fight Flu.ca or the Government of Saskatchewan’s Influenza website.

Technorati Tags: H1N1,Saskatoon,Salvation Army,Saskatchewan,Swine Flu,Influenza

Free Counselling at the Centre

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:42:00 +0000

Christian Counselling Services is offering free counselling for anyone who needs someone to talk to on Friday mornings at the Centre. If you are interested, please talk to the Front Desk staff for an appointment. The service is free, confidential, and is with a trained counsellor.

New Christmas Website is Now Live

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:03:00 +0000

If you are looking for information about Christmas at the Salvation Army Community Centre, it now can be found in one place at SalvationArmySaskatoon.org/Christmas. There you will find information on hampers, Christmas kettles, our Community Christmas meal and other Christmas events, and Christmas at the Centre.

It is also the place to find information on helping with kettles and once the locations are finalized, where to find locations to drop of toys for both Toy Soldier and Secret Santa.

If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to e-mail the Centre at hello@salvationarmysaskatoon.org.

Fall Supper at the Salvation Army Community Centre

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:57:00 +0000

The Salvation Army Community Centre is hosting a Fall Supper on October 17 at 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Cost: $10.00 per person which includes turkey, ham, and all the fixings.

The proceeds go to fund the Nutana Breakfast Program and the Afternoon Coffee House.

Tickets are available from Phyllis at Nutana Collegiate or Sylvia (sylvia.stevenson@salvationarmysaskatoon.org) at the Salvation Army Community Centre.

Information on this event and other events at the Salvation Army Community Centre can be found here.

New location for New Hope's website

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 01:46:00 +0000

Just a quick note to let you know that New Hope Community Church's website is now at www.salvationarmysaskatoon.org/newhope/

Thank You Sleep Country!

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:39:00 +0000

A special thanks to Sleep Country for the donation of school supplies to the Centre. The supplies were distributed to families who needed a little extra help in getting their children ready for back to school.

While Sleep Country has made a big difference in Saskatoon, this is a national campaign as well

From August 1-31, 2009, The Salvation is partnering with Sleep Country Canada in its annual Backpacks for Kids program. The program supports children in grades one through seven who can’t afford new school supplies.
Canadians are encouraged to drop off new backpacks filled with school supplies at local Sleep Country stores. Donations will be distributed to local children through The Salvation Army and KidsFest, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping young Canadians who live at or below the poverty line.
Since the Backpack for Kids program began in 2005, and with the generous support of the public, more than 20,000 backpacks filled with supplies have to given to children in need.

Canadian Red Cross, Salvation Army, and St. John Ambulance sign agreement with Saskatchewan government

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:26:00 +0000

From the Regina Leader-Post

Should an emergency situation arise or natural disaster occur, Saskatchewan has a new streamlined plan in place to handle it.
Donna Harpauer, minister of Social Services, announced Monday that the province has entered into formal agreements with the Canadian Red Cross, Salvation Army and St. John Ambulance to assist in providing emergency programs.
"I think it's very important to have a formal agreement with them to recognize them (and) to show respect for the services they do," said Harpauer.
The need to formalize things became apparent after last year's northern forest fires forced the evacuation of northern residents, she explained.
"It was the largest evacuation of the north that our province ever had -- and even though it was chaotic -- I toured the evacuation sites where we were housing the evacuees," said Harpauer. "All the organizations were very organized in looking after everything the people needed."

New public library in Riversdale

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:21:00 +0000

All of us at the Centre are excited that there is a new library in Riversdale. We got this report in an e-mail from city counselor Darren Hill.

I am writing with some exciting news about a great new facility on 20th Street. Yesterday I attended the grand opening of the new library at 20th Street and Avenue K South. This marks the first time in over 50 years that there has been a library in Riversdale.

The new library is wheelchair accessible, and features books in several languages, including Ukrainian, German, French, Vietnamese, Mandarin and Urdu. CD's and DVD's are also available for borrowing, and a Family Story Time each Thursday morning at 10:30 will be a wonderful feature of the ongoing programming.

You can get to the library on either the #1 or #2 bus routes. For more information on all the great things at the library, please call 975-7508. Even though the library opened officially today, people have been using it already and I hear that it is so popular that the librarians are already thinking it should have been bigger! Do drop in and check it out.

A report from our cadet…

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 16:03:00 +0000

Cadet Kristen Gray served in Saskatoon over the summer and posted a report on her time in Saskatoon on the Canadian Officers Training College website.

Funding Increase for Emergency After Hours

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:02:00 +0000

According to News Talk Radio

After-hours services at the Saskatoon Salvation Army are getting a shot in the arm.
The province is boosting their funding by 82-thousand dollars.
Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer says the money will the facility keep up with a growing demand for its services.
"They have had increases and they are looking at expansion, so this will help them to have more staff on at night."
The money will add full time staff at the shelter, including counselors.
Harpauer says the money should be a permanent addition to the Salvation Army's annual budget.

Re-Zoning Approved!

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:00:00 +0000

The Salvation Army got approval from Saskatoon’s City Council tonight to rezone 341 Avenue T South to zoning that allow a short term emergency women’s shelter to be opened there. This is a significant step for the Centre’s goals of having a safe place for women and children to go to when they are in crisis.

Thanks to all of the staff, officers, our realtor, city councilors, city employees, the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, and our architect Ken Wilson for getting us this far. After we get our building permits, we hope to be open by the time winter hits in 2009. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Captain Rhonda Smith at rhonda_smith@can.salvationarmy.org or the Residential Coordinator, Jordon Cooper jordon.cooper@salvationarmysaskatoon.org. Both can be reached via phone at 306.244.6833.

Backpacks For Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:37:00 +0000

Back Pack’s filled with school supplies are collected by Sleep Country and are made available for families who qualify.

Apply at 339 Avenue C South by August 21st. Packs can be picked up on September 2nd.

For more information, contact the Centre at 244.6883 or e-mail Laurie Gerein @ laurie.gerein@salvationarmysaskatoon.org

Due to school allowances, Social Services clients may not be eligible.

The 2009 Salvation Army Toy Run

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:16:00 +0000

All Motorcycles Welcome

Shiny bikes, revving motors and Santa…in September? Once again Saskatoon’s motorcycling community is working together to collect toys for The Salvation Army’s Christmas Toy Hampers. All interested motorcycle enthusiasts are invited to participate and help to make this the biggest and best Toy Run ever.

Participant Admission: A new, unwrapped toy for The Salvation Army Family Christmas Assistance Program, or monetary donation.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Where: Prairieland Park (rain or shine) at the Marquis Downs Cook Shack

Pancake Breakfast: 8:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Ride begins at 11:00 a.m. and leaves the cook shack and goes to the Saskatoon Inn.

Enjoy a BBQ at the Saskatoon Inn after the ride.

If you have any questions, talk to Major Henri at 242-6833 (office) or 260-9057 (cell). You can also contact him via email at henri_regamey@can.salvationarmy.org.

On the road again

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:17:00 +0000

The Salvation Army Breakfast Van is going mobile!

Starting on Monday, June 29th, the van is stopping at four locations each Monday | Wednesday | Friday

8:30 to 8:50 a.m. :: The Bridge on 20th
9:00 to 9:15 a.m. :: 525 Avenue I South
9:20 to 9:35 a.m. :: King George School
9:40 to 9:55 a.m. :: 401 Avenue E South

Women's Shelter Re-Zoning Meeting

noreply@blogger.com (Jordon Cooper) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:50:00 +0000

On June 16th, the Salvation Army, the City of Saskatoon, and the citizens of Pleasant Hill got together to discuss our desire for a zoning change to allow us to purchase and open an emergency shelter for women and children who are homeless in Saskatoon.

Along the way, there was a mis-communication between the City and Pleasant Hill School and the school was locked when everyone got there. Luckily it was a perfect evening to sit outside and talk so instead of using the school's auditorium, we used the front lawn. The result was we all got to enjoy the late spring weather and no one can accuse us of meeting behind closed doors!

If you missed the meeting or have any questions about the project, please don't hesitate to contact Captain Rhonda Smith at the Centre via phone (242.6833), e-mail, or in drop by in person.