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While Victoria, B.C., is on average the “warmest city in Canada”, these past weeks’ temperatures have not lived up to that title.   The city has experienced record-breaking low temperatures, and as a result, there’s concern for people experiencing homelessness, who are not accustomed to dealing with this type of extreme cold.   During days of extreme weather, the city of Victoria triggers the Emergency Weather Response, which allows The Salvation Army to temporarily expand the capacity of its emergency shelter at the Addictions and Rehabilitation Center, becoming an extreme weather shelter.   The Extreme Weather Shelter is open from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Clients who access the shelter are registered and offered a hot meal and a place to have a good night’s sleep.   The high demand brings logistical challenges for the staff at the shelter. Thankfully they have been able to deal with it so far. However, it is a reminder that they could use whatever support from the community that they can get.    

The Salvation Army is partnering with Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia, Inc. and Helms Career Education on a first-of-its kind endeavor in Macon, Georgia. The organizations are joining forces in their mission to lift individuals out of poverty and homelessness by breaking down systematic barriers to employment and opening access to meaningful work opportunities.   This program is the first of its kind across the country. It offers hands-on training and even job placements. This is also the first formal partnership that we know of between Goodwill and The Salvation Army.   Classes are offered free of charge to qualifying individuals, with specific programs focusing on administrative and office skills, forklift operation and safety, construction safety, customer service and sales, and more. These classes are both practical and vital for individuals to gain experience and proceed toward sustainable career options.   As with any Salvation Army initiative, the overarching focus is not only helping people succeed in practical terms but doing so while focusing on the soul-saving mission.   Learn more at southernusa.salvationarmy.org  

Toyota Motor North America stepped in for the 13th consecutive year to support a local Detroit community through its “Walk In My Boots” community outreach project. On Monday, January 15th, more than 125 family members from The Salvation Army received much needed new insulated winter boots and socks to help shield families from the cold and snow.   With the winter snowstorm that fell upon Michigan and the below-zero temperatures, the boots and socks came just in time.   It was a great afternoon as Toyota brought a ray of sunshine and warmth to the families. One family member said, “God is always right on time, and I am so grateful to Toyota for giving my family these boots. We had a major snowstorm. And now, my kids don’t have to walk to school in the cold without boots.”   With this project, in Detroit alone, Toyota has donated over 2,300 pairs of boots and socks to local families and contributed over $175,000 to The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division.   To learn more about The Salvation Army in Detroit, visit https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/

While facing incarceration in 2018, Spencer Kell decided to change his life and break free of a cycle of jail and addiction.   Spencer was granted bail to seek rehabilitation. He turned to The Salvation Army’s Booth Centre in Ottawa Canada and accessed the Stabilization addiction treatment program.   After getting clean, Spencer knew what direction he wanted to take. He was accepted into a community service worker program at a local college.   Spencer believes that if it wasn’t for The Salvation Army taking him in, he might not have had his freedom today.   Currently, he is preparing to open the Manie Daniels Rehab Centre in Maberly, Ont., which aims to provide addiction support to people awaiting trial. The center was named in honor of his close friend and former cellmate, Maine Daniels, who died of an overdose shortly after being released.   Spencer plans to incorporate lessons learned from his positive experience at the Booth Centre into his new initiative. Learn more at https://ontarioca.salvationarmy.org/

In January, The Salvation Army in Buffalo, N.Y., debuted a new location to help the community during winter’s coldest nights.   Space that had been set aside during preparations for a larger Salvation Army building project was turned into the Army’s Code Blue shelter. The facility, having had all its programs relocated, would be free for months. It was perfect timing.   The Army sent out the notice on social media about the new Code Blue location. Almost immediately, Amazon packages and donations of sheets, blankets, and bedding began arriving at The Salvation Army.   On the first night, ten individuals used the facility; the following night, the number had gone up to 50.   Two individuals came approached the local Salvation Army officer and expressed how thankful they were to be there. One of them said it was the first real sleep he had in a month.   To learn about Salvation Army programs and services near you, visit SALVATIONARMYUSA.ORG

Lauren Van Damme, a pilot for Southwest Airlines for 19 years, met The Salvation Army through the Angel Tree program in Columbia, South Carolina. She was so impressed with the Army’s mission and ministry that she became a faithful member of the advisory board.   Out of all of The Salvation Army’s programs, the Snack Pack program became near and dear to her heart.   The Snack Pack program supplies lunch bags with snack items for kids, high in protein and low in sugar. Attention is also given to avoiding products which may affect allergies in kids, such as peanuts.   What’s equally important to this nutritious program is the number of doors of opportunity opened to The Salvation Army.   In Charleston County, police patrol cars follow the Salvation Army canteen throughout low-income neighborhoods. While police officers build positive relationships with the kids, The Army distributes the Snack Packs, knowing that it might be the only nutritious food they will have that day.   Through this program, a monthly movie night, a local swimming program, and a mobile pharmacy have been developed. To learn about Salvation Army programs near you, visit SALVATIONARMYUSA.ORG  

On tomorrow’s episode of the Love Serve Disciple Podcast, Majors Matt and Jamie Satterlee had the opportunity to sit down with Monica Ancheta, a soldier at the Atlanta Temple Corps whose innovative daily prayer group has already shown incredible Kingdom results.   Over the past several years, Monica has been hosting virtual prayer meetings every morning with women from her church and beyond, praying with them and investing in those relationships in the presence of God.   Monica says that in those virtual meetings she recognized a deep need in people to be prayed over and a desire to pray for their families. When the group started, it was just three or four friends joining Monica for prayer, but now the meetings see 20-25 phones connected every morning, and there are always additional family members or co-workers in the background of the calls.   Check out this episode of the Love Serve Disciple podcast on your favorite podcast store or visit http://allforjesus.salvationarmysouth.org/  

This winter, The Salvation Army in Saskatoon Canada is providing an emergency overnight warming center so people experiencing homelessness can avoid the frigid temperatures.   The Army’s warming center is open from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., allowing residents of the street to have a place to spend the night whenever the temperatures are unbearably low.   Needing a bigger space, St. Mary’s Parish stepped up and offered their premises to The Salvation Army for the warming shelter. Guests that come are welcomed with snacks and water. While they are there, they spend time with other guests as well as Salvation Army staff.   The Salvation Army in Canada currently operates more than 50 emergency shelters across the country. Access to these during extreme weather conditions can sometimes be the difference between life and death for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte, a leader in providing solutions for families experiencing homelessness has received a $3.75 million dollar grant from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund. Grants from the fund are annually awarded to organizations doing compassionate, needle-moving work to help families experiencing homelessness secure housing and achieve stability.   The overarching goal of The Salvation Army in Greater Charlotte is that family homelessness should be rare, brief and non-recurring. This investment from the Day 1 Families Fund will allow The Salvation Army to expedite growth plans and impact even more families in need.   This one-time, uniquely flexible grant will support The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte in serving as a critical lifeline to families experiencing homelessness, who represent more than a quarter of the homeless population nationally. The plan is to use the grant to expand diversion and outreach programs, grow counseling and employment services, and create a flexible fund for short-term assistance. In addition, funds will help to renovate a recently purchased hotel now called Booth Commons.   To read the full story, visit SOUTHERNSPIRITONLINE.ORG  

Anti-human trafficking can be an uncomfortable topic. We’ve all seen trafficking situations in movies or on the news, but we tend to feel like it is something far away.   But unfortunately, that is simply not true. In fact, the United States is one of the top buyers within the trafficking industry.   The Prevention Project was created to start tackling this complicated issue through a demographic that can truly make an impact.   The program empowers youth to protect themselves and others through education and helps equip the next generation of leaders to build safer communities.   Sheena Evans, territorial services coordinator for anti-human trafficking, realized that through The Salvation Army, the Boys and Girls Clubs are a perfect place to begin this educational program.   The goal is to continue educating the youth in our communities through the Prevention Project and other well-vetted human trafficking awareness and education curricula.   Learn more at https://www.prevention-project.org/

In a heartwarming ceremony, The Salvation Army of Gainesville, Georgia reopened its shelter doors after a three-month renovation, marking a significant milestone in the community’s journey of compassion and support.   The Gainesville shelter, a haven for those in need that can house more than 50 people, is one of only a few shelters in the Gainesville-Hall County area. The thoughtful renovations and upgrades have transformed it into an even more welcoming space for those facing homelessness and adversity.   The goal of the renovations was not just to provide a safe place with a roof over people’s heads but to create a space that fosters dignity, warmth, and a sense of community.   The shelter is a hub for comprehensive support services as it provides counseling, job placement assistance, and educational programs, empowering individuals on their journey to self-sufficiency.   If you or a loved one is in need, visit SALVATIONARMYUSA.ORG to find a shelter near you or offer your support.  

The Salvation Army of Oak Creek Wisconsin hosted a Grand Opening for its new Senior Center on Monday, January 8th. The Salvation Army Senior Center, which will be located inside The Salvation Army of Oak Creek’s Church and Community Center, will be open to the public. “The new center will offer scheduled programming for the body, mind, and soul. Seniors will be able to participate in activities such as educational and financial lectures, health and nutrition workshops, arts and crafts, support groups, weekly hot lunches, and more. “The center is designed to meet the needs of our area’s aging population who may or may not have financial resources to participate in other programs,” “The main objective will be to enhance and enrich the lives of seniors in our community.”   The Senior Center will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.   To learn more about the center, visit https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/usc/