More than Shelter

Kaitlyn is safe at a Salvation Army shelter in Winnipeg
by SalvationArmy.ca
Categories: Articles, Feature, Mobile, Newswire
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Kaitlyn, a 23-year-old single parent, lived with her sister. When the landlord discovered Kaitlyn had a two-week-old baby, he asked her to leave. With no place to go, she arrived at The Salvation Army’s Family Shelter in Winnipeg. Here she found a safe place and assistance in pursuing a stable environment.  

“I had no one else to reach out to,” says Kaitlyn. “The Salvation Army kept me positive, level-headed and focused on what I had to do. And that was to find a permanent and affordable place to live.”

SonRise Village Family Shelter is part of The Salvation Army’s Booth Centre Ministries that offers short and long-term accommodations and meals. Families come feeling scared and alone, each with their own story. We give them the support and tools they need to achieve self-sufficiency.

“Families experiencing homelessness have limited options and are under considerable stress,” says Mark Stewart, Residential Program Manager. “They move frequently, live in overcrowded apartments with relatives or friends or sleep in cars. When they walk through our doors we show them we care. That means we listen, respect, offer a clean, safe place to stay, advocate on their behalf and link them to community supports.”

The family shelter serves a broad spectrum of people in crisis. From survivors of domestic violence to sponsorship breakdown and new immigrants, vulnerable people are finding hope in the midst of adversity.  

“Nobody wants to call The Salvation Army home,” says Mark. “Most people come to The Salvation Army looking for a hand up, not a hand out. Everyone deserves safe, affordable housing and a quality life. That’s a mindset we embrace.”