Salvation Army Shares the Spirit of Christmas with Newcomers
Language barriers, lack of family support and making ends meet are among common challenges faced by newcomers to Canada.
The Salvation Army Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centres in Winnipeg and Calgary provide a wide range of services to vulnerable families and communities throughout the year. But during the Christmas Season, the Army makes an extra effort to bring hope, dignity and joy to the lives of families living in poverty.
“Our focus for the Christmas season is to provide special events for the whole family,” says Captain Corinne Cameron, Executive Director of the Winnipeg Centre. “Many of the families who are new to Canada are far away from their loved ones and the cost of special family activities is prohibitive.”
In addition to toy and Christmas hamper distributions, events such as movie nights, Christmas dinners and candlelight and carols evenings at The Salvation Army are providing families and individuals a fun and safe environment to celebrate Christmas.
A generous gift of $3 million from The W. Garfield Weston Foundation provided funding for capital improvements and expanded year-round programming in these Centres, which are named in memory of the late Barbara Mitchell, daughter of Garfield Weston. Mrs. Mitchell took particular pleasure in the company of small children and loved to laugh, sing and learn.
The Salvation Army is most grateful for the Foundation’s generous support that is enabling us to bring laughter, music and hope to children and their families this Christmas Season.
Second photo: Salvation Army Calgary Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre.
About The W. Garfield Weston Foundation:
The W. Garfield Weston Foundation is a private Canadian family foundation, established in the 1950’s by Willard Garfield Weston and his wife Reta. In 1924 Garfield inherited his father’s company and during his life established bakeries and other successful enterprises throughout Canada and in many parts of the world. Today, these businesses include the George Weston Limited and Loblaw Companies Limited, companies in food retailing, processing and distribution. The founders believed that as the funds are generated through the hard work and success of these Canadian companies, grants should be given in Canada for the benefit of Canadians. For three generations, The W. Garfield Weston Foundation has maintained a family tradition of supporting charitable organizations across Canada. Today the Foundation directs the majority of its funds to projects in the fields of neuroscience, land conservation, education, and science in Canada’s North.
