“Restore Our Core” success for inner city neighbourhood

by jmifsud
Categories: Uncategorized
Share:

    WINNIPEG, MB – When Winnipeg Police Service Chief Devon Clunis speaks, people listen.

    And when he put out a call to action to the citizens of Winnipeg, asking them to come together and clean up the core area, the response was monumental.  

    "This spring, the Winnipeg Police Service is inviting the entire community to come out and help us Restore Our Core."

    And come out they did!  A tide of volunteers pitched in for the two-day cleanup – concerned citizens from various faith-based organizations, community groups and Winnipeg at large, alongside workers from city departments including the Winnipeg Police Service, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service and Public Works all lent a hand.

    The Salvation Army was also on hand to ensure that the toil-weary community workers were refreshed throughout the day.  Coffee, hot chocolate, bottled water, sandwiches and snacks were made available at no-charge.  Over the two days, volunteers and staff on our Community Response Unit vehicles served over 800 beverages and 300 meals of soup, sandwiches and snacks.

    On Saturday, while serving the volunteers, three young people stopped by and inquired why we were in the neighborhood.  After explaining the Army's involvement, the volunteer inside offered each of them the same meal being served to the community volunteers.  One of the youth was so touched by the sentiment of being offered a meal, she became emotional and explained that the trio had gotten up that morning hungry and unable to provide for themselves, and they were just establishing where they could steal their next meal from.  This sort of aid is just part of The Salvation Army’s philosophy as Major Margaret McLeod, Area Commander for The Salvation Army – Prairie Division (West) explains "Anyone that comes to us will receive assistance based on their need and our ability to help."

    Gardens planted, arson-damaged structures removed to make way for new ones, litter and waste removed, these are the tangible results of Restore Our Core.  The measure of respect and dignity returned to the area around Selkirk Avenue, that is the outcome.

    The Salvation Army are proud to support Chief Clunis' statement that "Working together we can and will create a culture of safety in Winnipeg."

    Featured image (l-r) Major Ray Harris – Volunteer, Salvation Army; Staff Sgt. Ron Johannson – Winnipeg Police Service, Wally Clarke – Volunteer, Salvation Army; Chief Devon Clunis – Winnipeg Police Service.

    CRU Beverages

    CRU 3