News

The movie “Sound of Freedom” is now playing in theatres around the world! This is a film about a former government agent who embarks on a mission to rescue children from sex traffickers in Colombia. The Salvation Army is deeply committed to fighting modern slavery and human trafficking. Modern slavery is an umbrella term including human trafficking for sex, labor or organs, exploitative labor practices, child labor and early and forced marriage. It involves not just individuals but also social and economic systems. The Salvation Army believes in the biblical principles of the inherent and equal value of all persons and the duty to care for one’s neighbor. The Salvation Army is opposed to the abuse of power against other human beings that is inherent in modern slavery and human trafficking. Everyone has the responsibility, both individuals and institutions, to work for the liberation of those who have been subjected to slavery and trafficking. Legal and social mechanisms to stop slavery and trafficking must be established and those involved held to account. Transformation and healing of hearts and minds of everyone involved in modern slavery and human trafficking is both necessary and possible. For more information or if you would like to donate to help support our efforts to end HT, please check out the links provided below! https://www.canada.ca/…/campaigns/human-trafficking.html https://salvationist.ca/human-trafficking/home/ https://donate.salvationarmy.ca/page/62773/donate/1?location=Williams%20Lake&_ga=2.254216207.662691538.1598281116-265608729.1590707901 If you suspect someone is a victim of HT, call the Canadian National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-833-900-1010.

The Salvation Army Williams Lake, BC MEDIA RELEASE: Local Charity Responding to Heat Warning Williams Lake, B.C. (July 28) — In response to the recent heat warning, Salvation Army centres across the province are prepared and ready to help vulnerable people, including the elderly and those living on the streets, by providing hydration items, shelter, and other cooling essentials. “With temperatures on the rise, many of our locations are taking action to ensure the health and safety of people in our communities,” Tamara Robinson, Community Ministry Director, “Many people living in crisis lack access to clean water, sun screen and other essentials. It is our responsibility to ensure that they stay safe.” Along with offering practical support and emotional and spiritual care year-round, The Salvation Army and their outreach teams are handing out water bottles, providing refuge from the sun, handing sunscreen and hats, dispatching street teams to assist those in need, and providing other relief efforts. “People living on the streets are vulnerable at the best of times,” Tamara Robinson, Community Ministry Director. “When temperatures reach extreme levels, and people are left without the proper devices to deal with it, their lives are literally put at risk.” If the public would like to help, they can provide support by donating the following items: Sunscreen Hats Bottled Water “We have a long-standing history of providing temporary relief during extreme weather conditions,” says Leland. “Along with our community partners, we work together to ensure needs are met in our communities during challenging times.” – 30 – The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882 and has grown to become one of the largest providers of social services in the country. Working in 400 communities across Canada and more than 128 countries around the world, we provide practical, compassionate support to meet basic human needs, while helping those living in crisis escape addiction and violence. By giving people hope, we transform lives of British Columbians today…and every day. SalvationArmy.ca Major Sergii Kachanov 250-292-2423 ext 210 sergii.kachanov@salvationarmy.ca

To all who volunteered their time and sponsored with their resources this Christmas season with The Salvation Army Christmas Cheer campaign by manning kettles, assembling toy hampers and cooking/serving the Christmas Dinner and by monetary donations. A heart felt thank-you also goes to everyone who donated so generously to the campaign. The kettles raised over sixty-nine thousand dollars and an additional eighty nine thousand dollars was brought directly into the office. The City of Williams Lake, The Williams Lake Tribune, Fire Department, local RCMP, schools, banks, businesses, stores, clubs, service groups, and many individuals helped to make this Christmas a better time for those needing assistance. 27 families were graciously sponsored this year through our “Adopt a Family” program by various local businesses and private families. Thank you to “the angels” in our community for purchasing gifts off our Christmas Angel tree, and thank you The Realm of Toys, Winners and Walmart for hosting them. Special thank you to our mayor Walt Cobb for his input, support and commitment during the year. With volunteers’ help and generous donations of goods and finances, the Salvation Army has served over 454 adults and 187children this Christmas season. Through the months of January to December 2020 our Community and Family Services has provided direct assistance to over 3,928 individuals through our Share Shelf, Emergency Relief, voucher and Drop In Programming. 15,157 meals were served through our kitchen, and over 1,514 families received regular monthly hampers through our Food Bank. The food bank shelves are always in need of supplies which will allow us to continue assisting those in need. It is only through the generosity of this community that we can accomplish this. We thank the Williams Lake community for helping us meet that need.

By Tamara Dina Robinson: We were given the opportunity to apply for a “Capacity Boost Grant” through Food Banks Canada, graciously funded by the Walmart Foundation. Our food bank has been struggling in recent times to have well-functioning means of transportation to and from our daily food pickup partners. We requested funding to purchase a new cargo van which would allow us to pick up food donations with ease. We were awarded $45,000.00 from the Walmart Foundation to purchase a 2019 Ford cargo van. This purchase has greatly improved the operations of our food bank, and the amount of foods we can receive. We would like to thank our local Ford Dealership for their help and support with navigating this large purchase. We would like to also thank The United Way Thomson Nicola Cariboo for stewarding funds from the Federal Government of Canada for the Emergency Community Support Fund. We received $16,000.00 to help us with the installation of the bulkhead, insulation and carrier refer unit. Schickworks Signs and Stiches did a wonderful job with applying our brand to the vehicle. We would like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to Food Banks Canada for facilitating the grant opportunity, and most importantly to Walmart Foundation for funding this project. As a not for profit, there are no funds to be able to purchase much needed equipment like this. Without Walmart Foundation, this vehicle would not have been a possibility.

We would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to Kera Lee and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, “Central Caribou Search and Rescue“, “Poppy Home” for organizing and executing this years’ BC Thanksgiving Food Drive! Without the generosity of the volunteers, and the response from the community of Williams Lake, this food drive would not have been possible. Thank you for helping us help others.

It is through your donations that we are able to reach and assist the vulnerable members in our community. We serve low income, marginalized and working poor members of our community without discrimination. Our Food Bank supports 770 individuals monthly of which 31% are children, 9% young adults, 35% adults and 24% seniors. Our soup kitchen operates five days a week, serving 23.000 meals (breakfast and lunch) annually to low income individuals. We operate a “Share Shelf”Monday to Friday in the afternoons where guests can access fresh bread and produce daily. Our “Share Shelf”has had over one thousand visits per month. To date we have served 9,853 prepared meals out of our dining hall with a value of $70,625.00. We have given out 1.333 hampers and 5.977 people have visited our “Share Shelf”. Thank you for graciously extending your help to us and enabling us to provide the help to others!

Meet Vijay! Vijay has volunteered with The Salvation Army for the past 6 years and continues to give back to his community every weekend. In an exclusive interview, we spoke with Vijay about the things he loved most about volunteering and what he gained from the experience. 1. Opportunity to help others This is the main reason I wanted to start volunteering. I knew I wanted to help others and to feel good about giving back. Throughout my time at The Salvation Army, I’ve been able to help dozens of people who are just down on their luck and in need of a listening ear. One of my most memorable volunteer experiences was with a client whom I served on a regular basis. We developed a trusting relationship; He told me about his situation and some of the struggles he was dealing with at the time. Later that evening, I recognized him playing cards at the casino. Shifting attention from my group of friends, I paid close attention to the amounts he was dealing away on each hand, which made me grow more concerned. On his way to the ATM machine, I intercepted and reasoned with him and bought enough time to call him a cab. The next day, I saw him at our regular meal service and he thanked me for keeping that money in his pocket. I then found out that he was on the verge of gambling his rent last night. I couldn’t help but feel like I saved him from being homeless and that the relationship we built had an impact on his life. 2. Learn New Skills One thing I didn’t consider when I started volunteering were all the new skills I learned. During my time in the kitchen, I used all kinds of utensils, tried new foods and brought home cool recipes to try myself. Another skill I learned while volunteering was patience. Before The Salvation Army, I was probably the most impatient person you’d ever meet. I quickly learned that to listen and to empathize means to be patient when it comes to others. 3. Job Opportunities At a time where my professional experience was slim to none, I added length to my resume by including all the volunteer initiatives I was a part of along with a list of references. When securing my first job in my late teens, the program coordinators and staff managers were more than willing to provide a recommendation. As I grew in my professional career, I believe volunteering helped broaden my level of understanding. The compassion I was able to demonstrate from a young age I believe helped me for the latter course of my life. 4. Meet new people Throughout my time at The Salvation Army I met some amazing people. I get to see familiar faces each week, hear about their progress, and offer them words of encouragement to get back on track. I also get to make lifelong friendships with people who I volunteer with on a regular basis. Overall, I am extremely grateful for the opportunities volunteering have provided me. 5. Keeps You Busy More than anything, volunteering was always a way for me to keep busy. Like a lot of teenagers, I complained of being bored and had nothing productive to do. My life became more eventful when I started volunteering. It would give me a reason to wake up when I otherwise would have slept in, and allowed me to look forward to something. I consider myself very blessed and I feel it is important to do something good for others. If you are thinking about volunteering, I say just do it. It’s different than just writing a cheque – it is the ability to interact, provide a positive influence and have a direct impact in the lives of people who need it most.

1. Support the people and causes that are important to you There isn’t a more wonderful feeling than making the choice to join alongside friends, family, and causes dear to your heart. Spending your life attributing meaning to everything you do is in itself a worthwhile experience and one that is sure to leave a lasting impact in the lives around you. By making these connections and establishing close relationships, you are leaving a lasting footprint with those that matter most. By supporting people and causes close to you, you are not only fulfilling your own needs, but also the needs of those you care for. 2. Reflect and decide what is most important in your life When you review your life’s journey, several ideas may come to mind: Did you grow and perhaps transform your life, make changes when you needed to, find your truth, inspire others, become a leader or influence others? Touching lives and exemplifying a truthful path is paramount to living a joyful and purposeful life. Your legacy will live on. 3. Share your blessings with others Now, consider all the blessings in your life; try practicing being mindful and sharing those riches with others. Think about the abundance you’ve received and consider sharing it as fate. Believe that your legacy is to give back this abundance to others. Everyone has blessings to share, even if it is a simple smile of acknowledgement.There are several ways to share your blessings with The Salvation Army. 4. Be a mentor to others A mentor by definition is a more experienced or more knowledgeable person with an area of expertise. Providing guidance, wisdom and connections with others can leave a significant mark to others less experienced in life. A mentor/mentee relationship involves support and harnessing personal development. This process is crucial to sustaining new mindsets and bringing about future and desirable change. These relationships can last a lifetime, and can result in the mentee influencing others down the road. 5. Pursue your passions Your passions are your legacy. Passion comes from an outpouring of the interests and ideas that make a difference in your life. Finding and pursuing your passion allows you to live your life whole heartedly and with full intent. Leaving a legacy is an important part of your life’s work. A legacy develops from a life dedicated to self-reflection and purpose. What will be revealed and what will endure is a truthful and value driven body of living.