As The Salvation Army in Yellowknife Reopens There are Still Some Challenges to Overcome
On September 14, The Salvation Army in Yellowknife reopened its doors for the first time since the city-wide evacuation due to wildfires in the region.
Most Salvation Army clients were evacuated to Calgary, where they continued to receive support from staff that travelled along with them.
Major Tony Brushett, who is the executive director of the Yellowknife Salvation Army, said that the plans to reopen were already underway as soon as they evacuated the city.
“From the moment we got our folks down to Alberta, we started the plan for a much more controlled and client-friendly approach in bringing people back,” Major Brushett shared.
A few days ahead of the reopening, several essential workers came back to Yellowknife to get the Army’s buildings ready. Fortunately, none of the premises sustained any fire damage.
The process of reopening has been done in stages. While some clients and staff are already back, others are still in Calgary.
Some are very excited to get back home to Yellowknife, while others plan to make Alberta their new home.
“When we came in to reopen the building, the first thing we had to do was throw out thousands of dollars worth of food that had spoiled.”
“We did have a very small percentage of people who decided to stay in Alberta. If they stay with one of The Salvation Army centers, the staff is going to work with them to give them the best experience they can, and to make sure that they are making an educated decision on staying in a larger city,” Major Brushett added.
Even though things are starting to get back on track, The Salvation Army in Yellowknife still needs community assistance. During the period of evacuation, the local thrift store sustained water damage, which forced it to close indefinitely and to lose many items in the process. In addition, some of the food bank’s food expired.
“Somehow, we got everybody down there and we got just about everybody back.”
“When we came in to reopen the building, the first thing we had to do was throw out thousands of dollars worth of food that had spoiled,” Major Brushett said.
As the full reopening remains an ongoing process, Major Brushett says work is still not 100 percent completed; however, he is extremely grateful for those who have contributed to the wildfire relief response.
“Somehow, we got everybody down there and we got just about everybody back. It’s been a great exercise and something we’re looking forward to debriefing with the government and seeing what we learned , so if this happens again, it becomes a much easier exercise,” Major Brushett said. “I moved from Newfoundland in June, but I already consider Yellowknife my home. We are so appreciative to the province of Alberta, as they took the bulk of our 20,000 people for more than three weeks.”
Click here to support the wildfire emergency relief.
By Juan Romero
