On Tuesday, March 9, 2010, the W. Garfield Weston Foundation presented a donation of $1.5 million to The Salvation Army Homestead in Toronto, a residential recovery program for women who are struggling with substance abuse issues, for urgently needed building renovations.
The donation from the Foundation will provide much needed infrastructure renovations in the heating, plumbing and electrical systems, and the installation of an elevator will enable Homestead to support women with mobility restrictions.
“We greatly appreciate the generous support of The W. Garfield Weston Foundation,” says Major Elizabeth Price, Executive Director, Homestead. “The renovations will make our residential space cleaner, safer and brighter and will enable us to serve a broader population of women by offering new services as we give women new hope for recovery.”
The donation was made in honour of the late Miriam Burnett, who devoted 30 years of hard work as Chairman of the Foundation. Says Charles Burnett III, son of Miriam Burnett, “Over her lifetime, my mother dedicated herself to extending kindness and understanding to those in need.”
ABOUT THE HOMESTEAD
The Salvation Army Homestead, located in downtown Toronto and in Scarborough, is a residential, day and community-based program for women 18 and older who are dealing with substance abuse issues.
Treatment options are: a ten-week residential program that houses 18 clients at a time in downtown Toronto; a ten-week day treatment program at the downtown site; a ten- week day treatment program located in the heart of Scarborough.
Salvation Army programs are holistic and abstinence-based. The treatment model includes relapse prevention, life skills and twelve-step classes, group and individual counselling. Trained staff support women on their journey to recovery and self empowerment, in an atmosphere of warmth, acceptance and safety.
The Homestead also offers community-based programs for women who may not be participating in residential or day programs. They include relapse prevention, anger management and after care. It also offers a support and information groups for friends and families of its clients.
The Homestead was founded in 1955 in Toronto and was located in another building for a few years. In 1961, the present location at 78 Admiral Road, became available and has been helping women at this location since.




Laurie Williamson presents a cheque to Captain David Allen in Mississauga, Ont. Over the past five years, he’s donated $50,000 to the Army
With just a few days left until Christmas, Salvation Army kettles are only at 50% of their goal. “This last week of fundraising will be a true test for The Salvation Army,” says Andrew Burditt, Territorial Public Relations Director with The Salvation Army.
Salvation Army donations are a critical part of the organization’s survival and are used to fund various programs and services. Last year, more than 1.5 million people were helped by The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda.
From Monday, December 7, to Friday December 18, employees will drop unwrapped toys and/or non-perishable food items in barrels in the lobby of the national headquarters in Toronto. 



