Salvation Army Helps Client Find Stability

Reflecting on her journey, Tammy Fyvie never expected to be where she is today. A few years ago, an injury on the job left her unable to work for a long time. Of course, this caused some financial hardship. Fortunately, The Salvation Army in Winnipeg was there to support Tammy during a tough time.

A New Beginning

Tammy needed food assistance and came to The Salvation Army. She remembers feeling loved, accepted and not judged as soon as she walked in.

“Without The Salvation Army food bank, I would have not been able to survive,” Tammy says.

While on social assistance, Tammy was also referred to a Salvation Army program that could help improve her employment opportunities. Previously, she had worked as a truck driver and in construction. However, after the incident, Tammy realized these jobs were too physically demanding and needed to go in a different direction to make ends meet.

“Without The Salvation Army food bank, I would have not been able to survive.”

Tammy joined The Salvation Army’s workplace training program to get some skills that would increase the chances of landing a good job.

“What I wanted out of the program was resume writing because resumes have changed in the last 30 years. They also taught me Microsoft programs,” Tammy shares.

The program met five times a week. In addition to building their resumes, participants were encouraged to send out job applications daily. After a couple of months, Tammy found her ideal job as a driver recruiter at a transportation company.

“I am loving my new job. I am on cloud nine. It is exactly what I wanted,” she says.

“The manager that hired me said she had never seen a resume laid out like mine. She was impressed with the layout I learned from the workplace program.”

Additional Support

During a two-week gap between her last food bank appointment and the starting date of her job, Tammy had no income. Initially, she was worried, but the food bank’s staff was there to help.

“At my last food bank appointment, they hooked me up with what I needed until my first cheque. They gave me a little bit extra and made sure that I was taken care of,” Tammy adds.

“The manager that hired me said she had never seen a resume laid out like mine.”

Tammy believes that without the support of The Salvation Army, she would have had to make difficult sacrifices. She was considering selling her car and, with family living out of town, this would have made it much harder for her to visit them.

A few weeks into the new job, Tammy is in a situation she never anticipated a year ago. For the first time ever, she has a salaried position and is able to afford the needs of both her and her dog, who she has lived with for seven years.

Giving Back

“I want to give back to The Salvation Army since they helped me,” says Tammy. “I have already talked to the staff and told them I want to donate some items.”

By Juan Romero