It was a festive occasion as donors and Salvation Army personnel gathered on May 20^th, 2010 for the 5^th annual Circle of Hope luncheon at the Delta Hotel Toronto on Kennedy Road.

This event gives recognition to donors who have pledged to remember The Salvation Army in their estate planning.  More than 60 people gathered to enjoy a delicious hot luncheon.  Captain Ron Farr from the Warehouse Mission gave an overview on the work in Cabbagetown.  Since it’s beginning in 2003, The Warehouse Mission has become a successful Corps serving in the margins for those in the margins.  Mr. Murray Bevan shared “From Spiritual Rags to Riches” a journey of personal blessing since his involvement with the Warehouse Mission.

A welcome was extended to new Circle of Hope members who received certificates and gifts in gratitude for their support.

We wish to express our gratitude to the following sponsors who supported our annual luncheon.

On May 1, 2010, the Heritage Brass will be taking part in a Tri-Band Festival at Scarborough Citadel featuring Jubilee Brass from London Ontario, the Legacy Brass from Ottawa and the Heritage Brass from Toronto. This is guaranteed to be an excellent evening of great Salvation Army music.

Tickets are available from Norm Ritson at 905-579-2468, cryotech@bellnet.ca, or any of the participating bandsmen.

The Salvation Army officially launched the Christmas season in the GTA with the 2nd annual Hope in the City Breakfast presented by Rogers. Herbie Kuhn a great friend and supporter of The Salvation Army and the “court-side voice” of the Toronto Raptors of the NBA was the Master of Ceremonies. Two-time Olympic Gold medalist, Catriona Le May Doan was the guest speaker. Once known as the “fastest woman on ice” Le May Doan challenged the capacity crowd to invest in the lives of people and their community because “success is definded by the legacy you leave.” Referencing her Olympics metals situated on a table close by, Le May Doan was quick to point out they simply “represent a race.”

Investing in the lives of people is something The Salvation Army does daily in more than 400 communities across Canada. The organization provides direct assistance to 1.5 million Canadians annually and according to Olympican Catriona Le MayDoan, ” this is truly making a life.” The Salvation Army thanks Breakfast and Speaker Sponsors – WIRELESS WAVE and Scotiabank for their continued support of the Toronto Hope in the City Breakfast. In his closing remarks, Divisional Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Floyd J. Tidd reminded attendees that thanks to the partnership of our sponsors and the 2000 Bell Ringers who will work at 400 Christmas Kettle lcations across the GTA “the public will be engaged, donations will be received and lives will continued to be invested in” and that is the legacy of The Salvation Army.

Left to right - Lieutenant-Colonel Floyd J. Tidd, MC Herbie Kugh, Olympian and guest speaker Catriona Le May Doan, Andrew Lennox, Toronto Advisory Board Chair

Left ro right - Herbie Kuhn, MC, David Trudel, of Rogers Presenting Sponsor, Olympian and guest speaker Catriona Le May Doan

Longtime Donor Baxter Freake of Carper One is seen with Olympian Catriona Le May Doan following the Toronto Hope in the City Breakfast

TORONTO, Sept. 11 /CNW/ – Toronto Grace Health Centre Foundation received
its largest donation in the over 100 year history of The Salvation Army
Toronto Grace Health Centre site. The $1.9 million donation will have a
profound impact on the Toronto Grace Health Centre’s 119 bed facility and the
medically complex patients it serves. Click here for full article.

It’s a long way from Charlton, Ontario, to the wet and dirty streets of downtown Toronto. I don’t even live in the town of 300 people; I come from a farm outside of the village. In my part of northern Ontario I didn’t see a lot of poverty, begging or homelessness … it sure is different here in the city. Read the full story

April 11, 2006 – The Salvation Army initially discovered that it was the victim of a significant fraud in December 2005. Since that time, we have been following a thorough process to investigate how this fraud occurred, to recover what had been taken and to cooperate fully with the authorities. Read the full story

A group of Toronto pastors gathered last night for a prayer rally aimed at striking down violence in the city.

Rev. Alvin Nichols led off the evening’s prayers at Queensway Cathedral, asking “that a door of hope can be opened for the GTA.”

So far this year there have been 15 homicides, eight of which have been gun-related. Last year at this time there were 14 killings, seven by firearms.

One of the city’s most outspoken pastors, Rev. Don Meredith, prayed for youth and education along with Maj. Geoff Ryan of the Salvation Army. Source: Toronto Star

(Read more)

The Salvation Army in Canada will host a North American Social Services at the Toronto Westin Harbour Castle, from Saturday March 25 to Wednesday March 29, 2006.

The Salvation Army Social Services Conference exists to celebrate, promote, shape and advance The Salvation Army’s expression of practical Christian response to human need. With over 700 delegates from across Canada and the United States, this conference of social service specialists, supervisors and administrators gather under the theme Passport to the Future: Moving People and Programs Beyond the Borders of the Past. Read the full story

Homeless young people will now have a place to stay with Monday’s opening of the new $1-million Sutton Youth Shelter in the former St. Bernadette elementary school on Dalton Road.

Funded by York Region, the Salvation Army will be the service providers. The shelter will be open 24/7 and experienced front-line staff members will be on hand to direct young people aged 16 to 26 who come through the door, according to director Kathy Aitken. It is the only shelter of its kind in York Region.

In addition to short-term emergency beds, youths can also apply for a long-term stay of up to one year, while they are upgrading their skills and finding suitable employment on their way to an independent life.

They’ll also have access to the adjoining Learning Centre for Georgina office and the town’s youth drop-in centre. Altogether, the facility will offer extensive programming ranging from personal counseling to upgrading academic credentials and enjoying the various recreational programs offered by Jericho Youth Centre.

A government employment resource centre is across the road.
The shelter has eight beds each for men and women seeking emergency shelter (from overnight up to four months) and 10 transitional beds available for up to a year, four for men, four for women and two optional spots, depending on need.
The long-term beds include private rooms with kitchenettes and there is also a central cafeteria-lounge and laundry room. Transitional clients will be expected to contribute to rent and buy their own food when they are able.

Rent geared-to-income subsidy is also provided for the 10 transitional units, the cost dependent on tenant incomes.
The Salvation Army has extensive experience in operating shelters across Canada, said public relations director Maj. Ken Percy said.

“This really is a frontline ministry,” Mr. Percy said.
“We’ve been instrumental in this kind of thing for many years, starting in Ontario in 1882. We are the largest independent social service provider. We’re open to anyone regardless of race, creed or sexual orientation,” he added.
“We believe in the old adage of giving someone a hand up rather than a hand out.”

While most shelters are only accessible by referral, “ours is a show-up-at-the-door,” Ms Aiken said.
“This will be first come, first served.” She is a former veteran high school teacher with extensive experience in dealing with young people.

Ms Aitken said most homeless youth in York Region are “invisible” who find shelter wherever they can.
“A lot of them are couch-surfing from place to place with friends,” she said, adding there are many more homeless youth than the public realizes.

They can include young men and women escaping an abusive situation at home, have been ordered to leave because of discipline issues, or chosen to stay when their family moves away.

“There are as many reasons as there are kids,” Ms Aitken said. “We’re expecting no shortage of clients,” she added. “We’ll find them the resources they will need.”

Extensive renovations on the building began last year, coinciding with a smilar project for the adjacent youth drop-in centre that is funded by the Town of Georgina.
Volunteer mentors and community members who can assist in teaching a skill are welcome to apply.

I had the plan. I knew the bridge where it would happen. I knew how I was going to do it – a little valium would give me the courage to take my final leap. But then the thought struck me: “What if it backfires? With my luck, I’ll fall backward off the bridge railing and end up passed out on the sidewalk.”

It was a month before my 40th birthday when I reached my lowest point. My life until then had been filled with misery and abuse. I slept on sewer grates in Toronto, walked around in the coldest of winters with canvas running shoes on my feet and ate in soup lines. Some days I couldn’t even panhandle enough money to buy a coffee.

During a “good” period, I was fortunate enough to find someone who would take me in – a family or a new boyfriend – and I dared to dream that all would be well. Unfortunately, I never settled in one place for more than four years. My life was filled with manic depression, drugs, alcohol and random sexual partners.

One boyfriend in particular made me fear for my life. The beating that he gave me knocked out my teeth, chipped a cheekbone and left me bruised and bloody. He refused to leave me alone for fear that I would run to the police. Ten days later I left him – just walked out onto the street, not knowing where I would end up.

I spent one night at a friend’s place before finding a bed at a women’s shelter. I was there for less than a week when they kicked me out. I had overextended my curfew by 20 minutes while trying to assist an inebriated resident. It was a Friday, June 20, the day before my birthday, and I was homeless. A bag lady on my 40th birthday! I spent yet another night on my friend’s couch and contacted other shelters.

“This time,” I told myself, “things would be different. I will save money and get a place of my own. No more thoughts of suicide! No more abusive boyfriends!” But I soon fell back into unhealthy habits and spent my money on drugs, alcohol and gambling.

I felt extremely lost and unhappy, until a friend took me to a Sunday night church service at the Salvation Army Harbour Light church in downtown Toronto. I was overwhelmed by the wonderful music and singing. I cried to hear the stories of people who had endured the same abuse that I had.

I found an apartment close to the church, but things were far from perfect. After a night of binge drinking, I began to wonder about my purpose in life. In my loneliness, I cried out to God: “Why can’t somebody love me?” I heard a whisper like a breeze fluttering by my ear: “Jesus loves you.”

My life did not miraculously change after that moment but, for the first time, I truly felt loved. I still tried to do things in my own will, but I learned to recognize my failures and slowly began changing my lifestyle. Eventually I found peace in the knowledge that all things are under God’s control.

With the help of people in the Army I turned my life around, and I eventually became a member of the Harbour Light church. I am now employed by the Harbour Light as a front-line worker with the breakfast ministry. Every morning I serve a hot meal to homeless people in downtown Toronto and share God’s love. I don’t believe that life on the street is what God had in mind when He created them.

Since I became a Christian, my life has been transformed. I started out wanting to die. Now I have hope and a purpose. I’m living life in the best way possible – with Jesus at my side.