Salvation Army Outreach Program Responds to Needs Across Calgary
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced many businesses and services to shut down in 2020, The Salvation Army in Calgary recognized a gap that needed to be addressed. People experiencing homelessness were left without daily support. As a result, a new initiative was launched that continues to grow to this day.
“Our outreach program is relatively new to The Salvation Army,” says Hooria Ansari, program coordinator. “It started in response to a lot of services having to close their doors due to mandates. We realized that this move, while necessary, was leaving many folks living in encampments trying to survive, out in the lurch.”
The program started with two staff members and grew over time. What began as pandemic emergency support evolved into a multifaceted service.
Compassion Without Judgement
“We have several outreach initiatives we run throughout the year. We have a street outreach team that operates every day in the downtown core and a mobile encampment program in the Greater Forest Lawn area, led by co-coordinator Kevin Mack,” Hooria adds.
What sets this team apart is its approach. Staff and volunteers meet people without judgement, offering to walk alongside them.
“In Forest Lawn, our team spends a lot of time visiting encampments, connecting with people that live there, helping with basic needs and getting them on housing list referral programs. There is a lot of relationship building,” Kevin says.
Making these connections has been key to the program’s success.
“We get to know people’s individual names and their stories. Outreach serves as a bridge for us to connect them with other supports and services,” Hooria says.
Trust Built Through Presence
The constant presence of the outreach team has made them a welcome sight in the communities they visit. Many clients even refer to staff and volunteers as “red angels”, a connection to The Salvation Army’s name and colours.
“There is already a lot of trust built in our name, so our folks are receptive to letting us walk alongside them,” says Hooria.
In addition to street outreach, the program provides support during the city’s extreme weather conditions. In the summer, cooling tents are set up to offer water and shade. In the winter, mobile warming stations set up in different high-traffic areas serve as a vital refuge for those seeking to escape the harsh cold.
Drivers within the program transport clients to shelters and seasonal stations.
Understanding the bigger picture
Being part of the program gives volunteers and staff a close look at the current housing and economic situation. Kevin believes that if people learned more about this issue, they would better understand that hardship can unexpectedly and quickly push you into a critical situation.
“Everyone has a story. It would surprise many people, but many of us are one less paycheck away from being unhoused,” Kevin shares.
What began as a two-person operation has now grown to over 20 members. The outreach team continues to expand and its coordinators are constantly looking for new ways to provide support in the future.
By Juan Romero
