The Salvation Army Correctional & Justice Services in Winnipeg has been operating The Prostitution Diversion Program(PDP) in partnership with Manitoba Justice since 1998. The program gives those individuals, mainly women, the opportunity of resolving their prositution-related charge through an alternative “camp” program instead of through the traditional court system. This three day, two night program takes place out of the city and introduces the participants to relationships and resources that may assist them in transitioning out of prostitution, and also provides much needed care and rest.

The PDP, however, is constantly challenged by the lack of residential resources for the women when they decide to get off the street. Needed are facilities and related programming of both a short-term(a few weeks) and long-term (a few years) nature that support the women in their decision to reclaim their lives. It is recommended that a “Safe Place” or Safe House be established within the city of Winnipeg for those contemplating transitioning out of prostitution and then a long term transition home out of the city that would provide trauma therapy, counselling, skills training, and addiction recovery all in a home-like environment. Partnerships with other organizations (both government and non-government) are key to the success of these projects.

On Tuesday, September 7, 2010 The Salvation Army, CHVN 95.1 FM and World Financial Group are partnering to raise funds to provide a safe place for vulnerable women transitioning back into society. The Manitoba office of World Financial Group has initiated a friendly competition with World Financial Group offices Canada-wide to see who can raise the most money. The team that ends up raising the most will get to place their provincial flag at the summit of Mount Baldy in Kananaskis, Alberta. More importantly, all funds raised will go directly to the work of The Salvation Army.

For sponsorship and donations or for more information, please visit www.summitsofchange.ca

On July 19, The Salvation Army’s Multicultural Family Centre celebrated a new beginning. Officials from all three levels of government were on hand to officially turn the sod for the new building, which will open next year. Shelly Glover, Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface, gave a personal testimony to the effectiveness of the Centre within the community, recounting her time as a young single mother living across the street from the centre. Also present were Premier Greg Selinger, MLA Nancy Allen and City of Winnipeg Councillor Gord Steeves.

Wendi Park, Director of the Multicultural Family Centre, said, “The new centre will better facilitate the vision we are realizing to be an empowering presence in the community.  While many of our neighbours and participants experience multiple barriers, we are privileged to journey alongside, carry burdens together, and celebrate the gift of hope in our community.” Park added, “We want our newcomer, single parent, our under-employed adult, our youth, and our senior to know that they are not alone and that we are better together.”

The Salvation Army’s response teams are still onsite cleaning up after the town of Yorkton flooded last week.

Thanks to the generous support of the public, so far $14, 896.00 has been raised in support of the cleanup.

A temporary clothing depot and food bank have been set up in the town for those affected by the flood.

Financial donations can still be made by visiting www.SalvationArmy.ca/yorkton or phoning 1-800-SAL-ARMY

$17,460.00 has also been raised for the relief effort in the Maple Creek flood. Thank you to all who have supported us so far.

The Salvation Army sets up disaster relief initiatives in Yorkton.

The above link, from the Regina Leader-Post, tells one of many stories that have been coming out of Yorkton, SK, following a storm which dropped between 100 and 150 millimetres of rain on the city in less than 30 minutes.

Updates on the relief effort will continue to be provided.

To offer financial assistance to the cleanup effort:

visit www.salvationarmy.ca/yorkton
or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY
or visit your closest Salvation Army unit

 The people of Maple Creek are still cleaning up from their recent flood as well. If you would like to support that effort:

visit www.salvationarmy.ca/maplecreek
or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY
or visit your closest Salvation Army unit

For first responders, exposure to harassment, violence and tragedy is part of the job. To protect its officers from psychological and spiritual toll, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) instituted a chaplaincy program.

Four Salvation Army officers from Saskatchewan are proud to serve as volunteer chaplains. Major Peter Eason, corps officer in Meadow Lake, says it feels like a natural extension of role in the community. “The RCMP and The Salvation Army tend to have working partnerships. In this way, I get to know members in a very different light.”

Chaplains assist and counsel RCMP members and their families. They serve people of all faiths, in any situation. Major Mike Hoeft, corps officer in Melfort, served as a volunteer RCMP chaplain for eight years, and was just re-certified. “The RCMP always give,” he says, “and sometimes they need a little in return. It is a great opportunity to serve a group that is sometimes overlooked.”

Two more Saskatchewan-based Salvation Army officers, Captain Michael Ramsey of Swift Current and Captain Ed Dean of Maple Creek, have also been accredited. The accreditation process, including training, paperwork and security clearance, took more than a year. “It’s the same application that a recruit might go through,” explains Major Hoeft, “with intense security clearance.”

For many thousands of RCMP officers, having someone with whom to discuss personal and professional issues can be essential to spiritual and psychological well-being. The chaplain is, as Major Eason describes, their ‘go-to person.’

“This is a great privilege,” admits Major Eason. “I am praying for the strength to do best with it.”

The Salvation Army Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, held April 27 in Saskatoon, saw more than 200 volunteers and special guests gather for a light lunch and fellowship.

The annual event allows us to say a loud and appreciative “thank you” to the individuals and groups who give time, energy and compassion, and help The Salvation Army in Saskatoon bring hope and support to vulnerable people today and every day.

Each year, Salvation Army officers and staff nominate volunteers for three awards. This year’s honourees are:

Ray Sider, who received the Bell Ringer Award for his willingness to volunteer for a Christmas kettle shift every day through November and December, and during our special Week of Compassion for Haiti.

The Junior Bell Ringer Award was given to Susan Schacter & her violin players, a group of young musicians whose music helped attract the attention of passersby during the hectic Christmas season.

Ivor and Orca Thokle, a generous husband and wife team whose year-round contributions are too numerous to list, were named Volunteers of the Year.

Church groups, employee groups and individuals benefit from the joy of helping others through The Salvation Army Volunteer Program in Saskatoon. Opportunities for volunteering include:

• Assisting in the shelter kitchen, which serves over 70,000 meals per year
• Visiting with clients at the drop-in coffee house
• Sorting clothing and assisting clients in the Clothing Cave
• Knitting or sewing clothing, blankets, or other much-needed items
• Assisting with life skills programs and training, such as computer classes or teaching clients how to cook simple, nutritious meals
• Helping during Christmas events, such as ringing bells at the kettles, handing out Christmas hampers, and wrapping toys
• Volunteering for special events or emergency fundraising, such as our Week of Compassion for Haiti

If you have a skill to share or a passion to help, we can find an opportunity for you. Please Sylvia Stevenson at the Saskatoon Salvation Army Community Centre, 306-242-6833.

On June 7, please join us at St. Boniface Golf Course for Winnipeg’s annual Golf Tournament. This year, proceeds from the event will support the Winnipeg Booth Centre and the replacement of its windows. Your $150 registration fee includes your game, lunch and dinner. You can even try your hand at beating our “pro”, special guest Troy Westwood.

For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.salvationarmygolfclassic.com or phone 204-975-1033

Esraa Al-Tahan addresses the crowd during the ceremony

Fifteen new immigrants have just taken an important step in their new lives as they graduated from an employment training program at The Salvation Army’s Multicultural Family Centre. One is Esraa Al-Tahan, a 28-year old Iraqi woman who arrived in Canada with her husband and daughter two years ago. The family fled war torn Iraq and were one of thousands of Iraqi refuges who sought safety in Jordan before receiving sponsorship by the Canadian government to come to Canada as refugees.Esraa, who has a computer science degree from Iraq, is following her life-long passion to become an interior designer. And she said that it’s all thanks to The Salvation Army’s Life and Employability Enhancement Program (LEEP), from which she graduated on March 19th. Michelle Strain, Program Supervisor of The Salvation Army’s Life and Employability Enhancement Program says, “Esraa is a strong, intelligent woman who has overcome many struggles and is now taking the first steps toward reaching her dreams.” Strain adds, “I believe that with such unwavering determination she will find many successes along her way.”Fourteen other young men and women in Esraa’s class, from war-torn countries like Iraq, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Iran, Sudan, Burma, Ethiopia, and Eritrea will graduate alongside her.