Café Connection in Whitby Provides a Haven for Salvation Army Friends

Café Connection happens every Wednesday. It is a place where friends of The Salvation Army in Whitby, Ont., have a chance to get together to enjoy meaningful conversation, connection, and a delicious cup of coffee.

The vision was to create a safe space where Majors Ken and Donette Percy, pastors, along with the church leadership team, could bring friends into the church, allowing them to temporarily set aside their daily challenges, connect and have a good time.

“Church can happen anywhere, and we’ve tried to expand on that with the idea of Café Connection. It’s all about connection and speaking Jesus into their lives over a cup of coffee or a game of pool,” Major Ken said.

Café Connection allows church members to meet and support new friends, understand their needs, build healthy relationships, and offer hope to others.

“We wanted to bridge the gap between our family services friends that come for food assistance and our church so that we can share Jesus with them and offer support,” Major Donette said.

“All I wanted to do was get some food and I walked out with a bunch of new friends.”

Café Connection has evolved into a multipurpose space. While some choose to get a coffee, tea or a snack while socializing, others choose to engage in friendly games of pool, foosball, or arcade basketball. There is something for everyone at Café Connection.

“There is always a great connection that takes place over a game of pool. We are grateful that this vision has become a reality. It is a team effort,” Major Ken shared. “I loved playing pool with a friend who  is homeless—seeing him smile and giving him that sense of hope. We had a great time. He even commented, ‘I don’t feel lonely anymore.’”

“It’s so fulfilling. It’s great to be able to just see the smiles on people’s faces and hear their laughter,” Major Donette added. 

Since the start of Café Connection last year, the group has been growing. Currently, they have just over 20 regulars, but new people come every week. The overall reception from the friends has been very positive.

“We want everyone to know that we are ’A Place of Hope’ and the doors are open all the time.”

“I was so scared of coming to the food bank for the first time. All I wanted to do was get some food and I walked out with a bunch of new friends. I feel so comfortable and will be back next week,” a guest that asked to remain anonymous said.

While the food bank opens Monday and Wednesday, Café Connection currently only takes place on Wednesdays. However, there are plans to offer it on Mondays as well.

“We want everyone to know that we are ’A Place of Hope’ and the doors are open all the time for people who want to come in and have a chat or sit at a table and have a coffee,” Majors Ken and Donette said.

For more information visit www.sawhitby.ca.

By Juan Romero