Making Time for Kindness

by SalvationArmy.ca
Categories: Feature, Mobile
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The backbone of many Salvation Army programs and ministries are the thousands of volunteers who give of their time and abilities. Through their support, the Army is able to help more than one million people each year. What motivates volunteers to serve? What types of tasks do they do?

Dr. Rod Overton—Fixing Joint Pain

The Centre of Hope in London, Ont., offers a food bank, spiritual care ministry, addiction services, housing support and Christmas programs. And since 2011, the centre has provided free chiropractic care to those who can’t afford it, thanks to a team of 12 chiropractors who offer their skills every Friday.

“We see about 60-80 people each week and it all takes place in the chapel,” says Dr. Rod Overton. “So it’s a hustling, bustling and interesting place to be working.”

Growing out of a desire to give back to the community, the team of chiropractors and other volunteers aims to improve the mobility and overall health of those who need it.

“A lot of these people don’t have as much access to many aspects of health care and a healthy diet,” he says. “While chiropractic care is inexpensive for some people, there is a certain portion of society that would never enter our clinics and would not receive any care.

“These are the people we wanted to target and deliver care to.”

Since opening the clinic, Dr. Overton says some patients have been able to return to work after being treated for ailments and some will volunteer to help keep the clinic running.

“My ultimate goal is to see other clinics open up in Salvation Army missions across the country.”

Larry and Doreen Slashinsky—Welcoming Newcomers

When new immigrants and refugees arrive at the Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre in Winnipeg, they often meet volunteers Larry and Doreen Slashinsky at the English café, a place where they can safely practise their listening and speaking skills.

The Slashinskys are former teachers who have been volunteering at the centre for two years. In addition to the English café, Doreen greets visitors at the front desk and helps unload and package goods for the centre’s food bank—which serves 60-80 families twice a month—while Larry assists with the drop-in service for youth aged 13-18.

“The centre has sports and activities for teens and young adults to keep them off the streets,” says Larry. “We’ve taught them employment and job search skills and they appreciate our advice.”

The Slashinskys began volunteering at the centre because it was located close by and they had always enjoyed meeting newcomers to Canada. For example, they once met a Bhutanese woman who lived in refugee camps in Nepal. She and her husband were in their early 20s and expecting their first child. Unaware of what was available or how to book appointments, they could have easily felt helpless in Canada.

“We were the contact persons to get them to the hospital and take them to appointments,” says Larry. “We ended up taking them to the hospital at 11 p.m. for a delivery and they were so thankful afterward and wanted to cook us lunch.

“We’ve had all kinds of experiences that have been really great and we just hope the people we’re helping are happy here and that life works out for them.”

By Melissa Yue Wallace

Photo: New immigrants who arrive at the Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre are often greeted with the friendly smiles of Doreen and Larry Slashinsky