On Friday June 25, 2010, The Salvation Army’s Toronto Grace Health Centre Irwin Rooftop Garden was officially opened by Commissioner William W. Francis, Territorial Commander of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda.

In October 2009 the Health Centre received its largest donation in the more than 100-year history of the hospital. A portion of the $1.9 million estate gift by the late John Irwin supported the renovation of a sixth floor rooftop into a beautiful garden space accessible to all. The garden allows patients, families, visitors and staff to enjoy green space in the middle of Toronto’s downtown core. From the fountain, breathtaking grounds, artwork and the patient’s own vegetable garden, it is a haven of peace to all who visit.

The Grace was home to both John and his wife Nora in the final years of their lives and they were deeply moved by the compassionate care provided to patients.

The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre Foundation Board of Trustees has decided to close the Foundation and centralize the funds and fundraising operations within the hospital’s existing administrative operations effective March 2, 2010.

“Accountability and integrity are the hallmarks of Salvation Army ministry” says, Captain John Murray, Foundation Chair. “We believe the best decision for those that we serve is to centralize fundraising operations within the existing hospital infrastructure thus ensuring all donations have maximum impact on patient services.”

“The Toronto Grace Health Centre is an extraordinary healthcare facility dedicated to serving the needs of our patients, their families, and our community” said Mildred Jarvis, TGHC President and CEO. “Our goal is to reduce administration costs and maximize all donations, and I support the decision of the Foundation Board of Trustees.”

The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre Foundation Board is committed to the long-term operation and viability of the hospital, and is sensitive to the impact of the Foundation’s closing. Salvation Army officials will be working with Foundation staff members to ensure a smooth transition and suitable career opportunities moving forward.

Appreciation is expressed to donors who may continue to support the hospital by making donations directly to the Toronto Grace Health Centre, 650 Church Street, Toronto, ON M4Y 2G5, marked to the attention of Ian Farmer, Director of Finance.

“The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre is an important and integral part of the healthcare network within the Toronto Central LHIN and The Salvation Army is pleased to share in this important announcement today with the Minister of Health and Long-Term care, the Honorable Deb Matthews.

The Salvation Army is pleased to confirm our commitment to own and operate The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre thanks to the commitment of Minister Matthews in announcing funding for the required infrastructure upgrades that are required for the safety and security of the patients, staff and volunteers of the Toronto Grace Health Centre.

The Governing Council of The Salvation Army is grateful to the Government of Ontario and the Toronto Centre LHIN under the leadership of CEO, Matt Anderson for their commitment to the excellent healthcare programs and services that the Toronto Grace Hospital provides.

This is an exciting day for The Salvation Army and our patients and their families as well as our staff and volunteers. The Salvation Army looks forward to working through the infrastructure upgrading process that has been announced today. We thank the community for their partnership and understanding as we work through the process in the months ahead.”

Presented by:
Commissioner William W. Francis
Territorial Commander
The Salvation Army Canada & Bermuda Territory
Toronto, Ontario

March 2, 2010

The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre Foundation Board of Trustees has decided to close the Foundation and centralize the funds and fundraising operations within the hospital’s existing administrative operations effective March 2, 2010.

“Accountability and integrity are the hallmarks of Salvation Army ministry” says, Captain John Murray, Foundation Chair. “We believe the best decision for those that we serve is to centralize fundraising operations within the existing hospital infrastructure thus ensuring all donations have maximum impact on patient services.”

“The Toronto Grace Health Centre is an extraordinary healthcare facility dedicated to serving the needs of our patients, their families, and our community” said Mildred Jarvis, TGHC President and CEO. “Our goal is to reduce administration costs and maximize all donations, and I support the decision of the Foundation Board of Trustees.”

The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre Foundation Board is committed to the long-term operation and viability of the hospital, and is sensitive to the impact of the Foundation’s closing. Salvation Army officials will be working with Foundation staff members to ensure a smooth transition and suitable career opportunities moving forward.

Appreciation is expressed to donors who may continue to support the hospital by making donations directly to the Toronto Grace Health Centre, 650 Church Street, Toronto, ON M4Y 2G5, marked to the attention of Ian Farmer, Director of Finance.

LINKS

Toronto Grace Health Centre Website

http://www.torontograce.org/index.aspx

100 Year’s of Celebration
http://www.torontograce.org/uploads/pubs/100_years_of_grace.pdf

In the News
http://www.torontograce.org/s08/01-02.aspx

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http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100204/toronto_gace_100204/20100204/?hub=TorontoNewHome

http://www.healthzone.ca/health/newsfeatures/article/760392–toronto-grace-hospital-saved-on-voting-day

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2010/02/03/tor-grace-hospital.html

http://topnews.net.nz/content/21963-historic-toronto-grace-hospital-re-embraced-salvation-army

The Salvation Army Celebrates Funding for the Toronto Grace Health Centre

For Immediate Release Toronto – February 3, 2010 - The Salvation Army celebrates the announcement made today by Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, the Honorable Deb Matthews, recognizing the long-term partnership between The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre, the Government of Ontario and the Toronto Central LHIN. The Government’s commitment today will allow The Salvation Army to plan for the needed infrastructure upgrades required for the safety and security of the patients, staff and volunteers.

This is an exciting day for The Salvation Army and our patients and their families as well as our staff and volunteers,” said Commissioner William W. Francis, Territorial Commander for The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda.

He adds, “The Salvation Army is grateful to the Government of Ontario and the Toronto Central LHIN for their commitment to the excellent health care programs and services that The Toronto Grace Health Centre provides.”

The Salvation Army is thankful to the support of the community, staff, volunteers, patients and their families during recent days. The collective effort of individual commitment to everything that is entrusted to us is what gives this health centre its renowned reputation.

The Toronto Grace Health Centre is a 119 bed palliative and complex continuing care facility that has been providing compassionate care in the heart of downtown Toronto for over 100 years. From its earliest days as a rescue home, to becoming a maternity hospital and now providing care to the most vulnerable, the facility continues to provide care where the need is greatest.

About the Salvation Army

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. The Salvation Army gives hope and support to vulnerable people today and everyday in 400 communities across Canada and 119 countries around the world. The Salvation Army offers practical assistance for children and families, often tending to the basic necessities of life, provides shelter for homeless people and rehabilitation for people who have lost control of their lives to an addiction.

When you give to The Salvation Army, you are investing in the future of marginalized and overlooked people in your community.

For more information contact:
Captain John P. Murray, APR Divisional Secretary for Public Relations and Development
c) 416-998-0117

Toronto – February 3, 2010, 2:00pm

“The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre is an important and integral part of the healthcare network within the Toronto Central LHIN and The Salvation Army is pleased to share in this important announcement today with the Minister of Health and Long-Term care, the Honorable Deb Matthews.

The Salvation Army is pleased to confirm our commitment to own and operate The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre thanks to the commitment of Minister Matthews in announcing funding for the required infrastructure upgrades that are required for the safety and security of the patients, staff and volunteers of the Toronto Grace Health Centre.

The Governing Council of The Salvation Army is grateful to the Government of Ontario and the Toronto Centre LHIN under the leadership of CEO, Matt Anderson for their commitment to the excellent healthcare programs and services that the Toronto Grace Hospital provides.

This is an exciting day for The Salvation Army and our patients and their families as well as our staff and volunteers. The Salvation Army looks forward to working through the infrastructure upgrading process that has been announced today. We thank the community for their partnership and understanding as we work through the process in the months ahead.”

Presented by:
Commissioner William W. Francis, Territorial Commander
The Salvation Army Canada & Bermuda Territory

About the Salvation Army 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. The Salvation Army gives hope and support to vulnerable people today and everyday in 400 communities across Canada and 119 countries around the world.

The Salvation Army offers practical assistance for children and families, often tending to the basic necessities of life, provides shelter for homeless people and rehabilitation for people who have lost control of their lives to an addiction.

When you give to The Salvation Army, you are investing in the future of marginalized and overlooked people in your community.

For more information contact:
Captain John P. Murray, APR Divisional Secretary for Public Relations and Development
c) 416-998-0117

Information Bulletin #2 – January 30, 2010 – Toronto, Ontario

The Salvation Army is committed to the patients, families, employees and volunteers of the Toronto Grace Health Centre. In response to Friday’s request from the Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long Term Care, to grant an extension to the Toronto Grace Health Centre Board of Trustees (to develop a proposal for the potential purchase of the hospital and land) The Salvation Army has called a special meeting of the Governing Council to review and adjudicate the request.

The Board of Trustees, under the chairmanship of Dr. Morley Lemon, were advised of The Salvation Army’s decision regarding the future ownership and governance of the Toronto Grace Health Centre in late summer 2009 subsequently a public announcement was made on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at the Toronto Grace Health Centre regarding The Salvation Army’s future plans in partnership with the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network.

The Governing Council of The Salvation Army is the legal governing body of The Salvation Army in Canada. The Governing Council is scheduled to meet next week to consider this issue. The Salvation Army is committed to the best possible outcome for the patients their families and employees and the related healthcare services that the Toronto Grace Health Centre provides.

Captain John P. Murray, APR Divisional Secretary for Public Relations and Development Spokesperson for The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre Cell: 416-998-0117 E-mail: John_Murray@can.salvationarmy.org

Information Bulletin #1 – January 27, 2010

By Colonel Donald J. Copple, Chief Secretary for The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory

“It is my task to share with you the plans of The Salvation Army in relation to the Toronto Grace Health Centre. Over the past several years The Salvation Army has been withdrawing from involvement in hospital ownership and governance across Canada. Now after much consideration The Salvation Amy has made a decision to withdraw from the governance and management of The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre.

There has been considerable discussion between The Governing Council of The Salvation Army, The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre Board of Trustees, the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network and the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care in relation to this decision.

As we withdraw from governance and management our primary concern is for the continued safety and security of patients and their families. Our goal is to ensure quality care and services for these persons and to mitigate the impact of these changes on the skilled and caring staff of the Toronto Grace.

In order to explore the options possible for patients, families, staff and the community the Toronto Central LHIN plans to issue a request for proposals to identify those who will wish to assume governance and management of the programs and services currently offered at the Grace.

It is our understanding that by spring 2010 a plan for the way forward will be established.

During these days of change and transition care and service delivery will continue as usual. As further details are known they will be shared with you.”

My association with The Salvation Army began the day I was born in 1958, on a cold winter night in a rooming house. I was premature, weighing just under four pounds, so my terrified mother brought me to the Toronto Grace Hospital Continue Reading

Oct 31 – TOR – As the Salvation Army band played Amazing Grace in a brisk wind, the church’s flag was lowered for the last time in front of The Scarborough Hospital’s Grace division on Wednesday, Oct. 29.

“Today, we honourably retire the Salvation Army flag of the Scarborough Grace hospital,” Major Barbara Champ, director of spiritual and religious care at The Scarborough Hospital, told dozens of hospital workers and church officials gathered for the ceremony. Read full article…

Source: InsideToronto.com

Riley Blake was a mess. Strung out and high on drugs, he was in no fit state when he answered the knock at the door one July evening in 2006. “I thought it was one of my dealers,” recounts Riley today. Instead, it was Salvation Army pastors Andrew and Darlene Morgan, who had made the house call after putting in a gruelling 12-hour day at Toronto’s Harbour Light, a community church and addictions treatment program. Continue Reading

“Imagine the dirtiest, smelliest bum you’ve ever seen. Now multiply that by 100. That was me in 2002,” says Anthony Schofield, 33.

Anthony grew up in a home with a stepfather who has since lost his life to crack cocaine and alcohol abuse. Anthony had low self-esteem, and his erratic behaviour led his parents to have him placed in special education classes, group homes and a mental health centre.

Anthony started selling and using drugs at a young age. His drug problem escalated when he was accepted into the Ontario College of Art. His $8,900 student assistance loan and the downtown school’s proximity to drug dealers proved to be too tempting of a combination.

In 1994, Anthony dropped out of school and started living on the streets. He was one of the first “squeegee kids”, cleaning drivers’ windshields for a donation. “When we first started doing this, drivers were sympathetic to us and quite generous. I was making about $60 an hour.” Yet, this newfound source of plentiful cash only made it easier to feed his crack addiction.

Living under an overpass, Anthony’s white skin turned black with grime. Hardly eating, he dropped to 100 pounds. His shoulder length hair matted into dreadlocks. His face was swollen. His feet were so bruised and raw, he could barely walk. Not bathing for months, he constantly smelled like urine. “Even other bums were repulsed by me. It’s a miracle that I’m alive today,” says Anthony.

Anthony found his miracle in the support he received at The Salvation Army Gateway in downtown Toronto. For four years, he popped into the Gateway on occasion to warm up, get a bite to eat, clean up, or sleep in a bed. “At the beginning, I was belligerent and foul-mouthed with them, and abused the place by smoking crack in their bathroom. And they’d kick me out because they didn’t allow that behaviour. Yet, every time I came back, I received unconditional forgiveness and support.

“One day while in the Gateway, I was really feeling hatred for myself. I started punching myself in the face, and blackened my own eye. The staff at the Gateway held me down so I couldn’t hurt myself any more. They hugged me and prayed for me until I settled down.”

“Over the years, they have listened to me and I’ve received counseling from everyone there, on my addictions, on managing my life, on self-awareness. They helped me make the decision to get off drugs. On the day I was going into detox, one staff member dropped everything to drive me to the hospital. The Gateway helped me to get into a recovery home. I lived there one year as a recovering addict, and the next year, they hired me to manage that home, which I did for a year. With the grace of God, I’ve stayed off drugs ever since, and continue to go to Narcotics Anonymous meetings. This past fall, I also found a job as a front-line worker at a group home.”

“Gateway staff helped me to get a $1,000 scholarship, which is being held for me to help pay for tuition, when I’m ready to go back to school.”

“The people at the Gateway gave me the strength to turn my life around. They have become my friends, and they never stopped believing in me. They taught me what it was like to have a healthy relationship with someone, and how to love.”

I’ve done a lot to get myself back on my feet, but they’ve supported me every step of the way and still do – I run all the big changes in my life past them.

“The people at the Gateway never turned their back on me. I owe them my life.”

The donating and transplanting of human organs and tissue can be an ethical minefield. Dr. James Read, Director of The Salvation Army Ethics Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Major Beverly Smith, MD, of the Toronto Scarborogh Hospital’s Grace Campus, discuss both the ethical and practical questions still concerning physicians, ethicists and society in general.

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The Salvation Army is the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in Canada and serves in 400 communities across the country. Below are brief descriptions of just some of the services that The Salvation Army provides.

Emergency Disaster Services

The service provided in the wake of the Boxing Day Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina are examples of The Salvation Army’s timely and effective work providing disaster relief. Ready to deploy its resources at very short notice, our disaster units immediately work to reduce physical harm and help victims regain control of their lives. The Salvation Army brings relief to people around the world through its emergency and disaster services. For additional information, please visit www.salvationarmy.ca/eds.

Community and Family Services

The Army cares for people at their crisis point. In keeping with the philosophy of our founder, William Booth, we work to restore hope and dignity to those who might otherwise remain invisible in society. Emergency assistance is provided in the form of clothing, food, accommodation, life skills training and counselling.

Family Tracing Services

The Family Tracing Services of The Salvation Army were started in 1885 in order to help locate missing family members. The Salvation Army, with a presence in 117 countries, is uniquely equipped to offer this service internationally. This service has proven particularly useful following major natural disasters, like Hurricane Katrina, in terms of reuniting separated families. For more on family tracing, or for information on how to initiate an inquiry, please visit www.Salvationist.ca.

Camps

Across Canada kids come alive at our summer camps. Last year 6,600 children from marginalized communities experienced life at its best and learned the values of friendship and caring through our various camp programs.

Street Youth Services

Canada’s growing population of street youth meet the Army on their own turf. Vans in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver deliver what may be the kids’ only meal of the day. A trust is built up with Army workers who can often provide other forms of help and counselling where appropriate.

Homeless Services

The Salvation Army provides 6,370 shelter beds, one-quarter of all the shelter beds in Canada, for the homeless each night through a national network of 52 shelters and hostels. For additional information on homelessness, please visit our Homelessness Fact Sheet.

Addictions Services

Each year, the Army assists close to 10,000 individuals with chronic addictions. In a proactive initiative, our non-residential prevention programs help to reach people before they lose control of their lives. In 2008, 2,000 people successfully completed Salvation Army addiction programs.

Safe Houses
Hundreds of thousands of women and children in Canada are victims of abuse within the family. Salvation Army facilities are a safe haven for many of them. Last year we helped thousands of people in our Women’s Shelters, Maternity homes, Post Psychiatric Care Centres and Day Nurseries. In a secure environment the healing begins and people receive the practical help they need to begin rebuilding their lives.

Palliative Care

Salvation Army Grace Hospitals and hospices provide care and counselling for patients with AIDS, cancer and other terminal illnesses. At the same time we give support and comfort to the patients’ families and loved ones.

Services for the Mentally and Physically Challenged

The Salvation Army has responded to government cutbacks in services to people with special needs with new programs for people who cannot care for themselves or who need extra support in order to live independent lives. Counselling, on-site job coaching, work adjustment training and other life skills programs are among the ways that we help. Our goal is to give each person the dignity that comes from making a contribution to society and being self-sufficient to the extent that they are able.

Corrections and Justice

Every day in Canada almost 34,000 people are behind bars and over 100,000 live under community supervision. The Salvation Army carries out an extensive corrections and justice service which has a positive impact on the lives of thousands of inmates and their families.

Young Parent Resource Centres

Young Parent Resource Centres provide housing, support, high school education, parenting programs (dads and moms), child care and other assistance for pregnant and parenting teenagers.

The Salvation Army’s programs are life-changing, and your continued support of them means that more lives are restored every year.