The Salvation Army would like to thank The Golden Griddle Corporation, Eddy Rawdat and the Golden Griddle Restaurant located at 45 Carlton St, Toronto for their generous and continued support of the 2010 Red White and Blue Toy Ride. Once again, the Golden Griddle is the corporate sponsor for this event which helps raise toys for our Toy Mountain Christmas campaign. Last year the toy ride collected over 360 toys and over $8,000.

Visit www.goldengriddlecorp.com for a location nearest you.

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.

Midland, ON – June 24, 2010 – Following the touch-down of a tornado in Midland, Ontario, The Salvation Army arrived on scene within an hour at Smith Park Trailer Park, where approximately 100 trailers have been damaged or destroyed.

Major Neil Evenden, of The Salvation Army in Midland, arrived on scene, and immediately called in a Salvation Army canteen from Parry sound and support equipment from Midland to assist. Further Salvation Army Emergency and Disaster Services personnel and support personnel from the Toronto region have been dispatched and are on scene to assist where needed. A reception centre has been set-up to receive those who have been displaced.

“The Salvation Army is grateful to the generous support from our partners, Tim Horton’s, Wal-Mart and McDonald’s – Elmvale and Loblaws Superstore.” said Jeff Robertson, Spokesperson for The Salvation Army.

“We continue to do all we can to assist those who have been displaced. The Salvation Army has been on site around the clock and has served hundreds of meals and continues to provided care and compassion to the victims and first responders.” says Major Neil Evenden.

The Salvation Army will continue to monitor the situation and work in cooperation with local emergency personnel to determine the best action for response as time moves forward.

To donate to the Midland Tornado Relief effort you can call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or make a donation on-line at SalvationArmy.ca

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 121 countries around the world. The Salvation Army offers practical assistance for children and families, often tending to the basic necessities of life, providing 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.

News releases, articles and updated information can be found at SalvationArmy.ca.

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For more information please contact:
Jeff Robertson
Area Director, Public Relations
The Salvation Army
416-460-4441
jeff_robertson@can.salvationarmy.org

Captain John P. Murray, APR
Divisional Secretary for Public Relations and Development
The Salvation Army
416-998-0117
john_murray@can.salvationarmy.org

Neil W. Leduke
Director of Communications
The Salvation Army
416-578-7998
neil_leduke@can.salvationarmy.org

Major Neil Evenden
The Salvation Army, Midland
705-529-9347
neil_evenden@can.salvationarmy.org
Neil W. Leduke
Director of Communications
The Salvation Army – Ontario Central East Division
1645 Warden Avenue
Toronto ON M1R 5B3
t) 416-321-2654 x125
f) 416-321-6479

Midland, ON – June 23, 2010 – Following the touch-down of a reported tornado in Midland, Ontario, The Salvation Army arrived on scene within an hour at a trailer park, where 20-40 trailers have been destroyed.

Major Neil Evenden, of The Salvation Army, arrived on scene, and immediately called in a Salvation Army canteen from Parry Sound to assist. Further Salvation Army Emergency and Disaster Services personnel and support personnel from the Toronto region have been disbatched and are on scene to assist where needed. A reception centre has been set-up to receive those who have been displaced.

“We will do all we can to assist those who have been displaced. We will also provide hydration and nutrition to those involved in the disaster”, says Major Neil Evenden.

The Salvation Army will continue to monitor the situation and work in cooperation with local emergency personnel.

Further information will be provided as it becomes available.

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 121 countries around the world. The Salvation Army offers practical assistance for children and families, often tending to the basic necessities of life, providing 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.

News releases, articles and updated information can be found at SalvationArmy.ca.

-30-

For more information please contact:

Jeff Robertson
Area Director, Public Relations
The Salvation Army
416-460-4441
jeff_robertson@can.salvationarmy.org

Captain John P. Murray, APR
Divisional Secretary for Public Relations and Development
The Salvation Army
416-998-0117
john_murray@can.salvationarmy.org

Neil W. Leduke
Director of Communications
The Salvation Army
416-578-7998
neil_leduke@can.salvationarmy.org

Major Neil Evenden
The Salvation Army, Midland
705-529-9347
neil_evenden@can.salvationarmy.org

New Salvation Army centre aims to provide ‘out-of-the-box’ support programs

Colin Baxter knows his autism makes finding work in film production an added challenge. But an adult autism centre opening today aims to help the 27-year-old and others like him achieve their goals.

The Autism Centre on Main Street East is an “out-of-the-box” way of assisting adults with autism according to Lisa Schumph, program manager for The Salvation Army Lawson Ministries which built and operates the centre.

The centre, which could serve up to 140 people, will fill a niche since autistic adults don’t have structured activities the way children do and can become more isolated from their community.

Lawson Ministries, funded primarily by the province, is a Salvation Army agency supporting adults with developmental disabilities and autism.

The $2.5-million building will provide services tailored to the individual’s goal, be it getting a job or learning to make decisions. It’s modelled after the YM and YWCAs in that participants must be members first. Membership is free, but there are some associated fees for some programs. Schumph said funding is often available.

Baxter is high functioning, but says he “can always do better.” He’s a theatre arts graduate from McMaster University and more recently a broadcast television and film production grad from Niagara College. He and his Lawson Ministries case manager Mark Van Noord are co-producers of a small film company they formed called Airborne Films, tailored specifically to help Baxter work in his field.

“It’s a bit difficult. I’ve been applying for a year or two,” says Baxter about looking for work. “It can be a challenge getting a job in how to present myself, how to interact. It’s still a learning experience.”

Autistic adults must be referred to the centre by Contact Hamilton (a central access point for developmental services) and must have medically diagnosed autism. Membership allows staff to track participants’ programs and progress, Schumph said.

Once a referral is received, staff meet with the adults, go over their goals and “if it looks like we can provide help, we set up an individual program.”

If the goal is to work in a flower shop, staff devise a plan with all the steps to get there, including social skills development such as learning to make eye contact and small talk, which can be difficult for some autistic adults.

Steps may include on-the-job training. To help, the centre runs a cafe for the public in which its autistic members work.

The centre will also house Lawson Ministries’ Ontario Disability Support Program employment support office, open since 2004. Last year, despite the tough economy, it assisted 12 of roughly 24 autistic adults find paid employment.

“That’s a success for us,” Schumph said.

The centre can accommodate 30 to 35 people a day. It includes a therapeutic sensory room to help members calm down.

“Our goal is to have people with autism to be more involved in their community … many get very anxious in social situations,” Schumph said.

Staff will meet referred autistic adults over the summer so the centre can be fully operational by September.

Source: TheSpec.com

Environment Canada has confirmed an F1 tornado touched down in Essex County in southwestern Ontario early Sunday morning. Leamington, a town of approximately 30,000 residents, saw damage to barns, grain bins, corn silos, houses and mobile homes, as well as countless broken and uprooted trees. A state of emergency was declared by the municipality.

Salvation Army emergency disaster services personnel were on the ground shortly after the tornado, bringing food, hydration, and emotional and spiritual support to those affected. A new Salvation Army Community Response Unit from Hamilton arrived on Monday to prepare meals for the work crews and residents. Additonal trained personnel are expected from other Salvation Army units in the area.

Says Perron Goodyear, Emergency Disaster Services Director for the area: “People are saying that we are living up to our motto and bringing them hope.”

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