It Takes a Village

Imagine struggling to provide food, clothing and other necessities like diapers and formula for your growing family. Sadly, this is the harsh reality for too many parents in our province. Last year alone 3.2 million Canadians were reported living at or below the poverty line, including 566,000 children.

It’s no secret that living in British Columbia is expensive, and if you’re a parent living on a single income, raising a child as a senior with custody or newly arrived immigrants, it can be incredibly difficult to provide for your family. Throw in the current COVID-19 pandemic and all its effects, and it is hard to imagine a family getting by without help. That’s where The Salvation Army and the people who support us come into play.

In 2009, a frontline worker at our Ridge Meadows Ministries recognized a desperate need in her community so she set out to help. Sonia Nickle began collecting donated items for babies and toddlers such as clothing, diapers and formula. She then distributed these to families she knew were in need. It didn’t take long for other community agencies to start working together, growing their resources and their reach, helping more people every year.

Sadly, Sonia passed away shortly after the program began to flourish. As a tribute to her kindness and generosity, Sonia’s Cradle was created. The program would honour her heart-warming legacy of helping families in need. Today, Sonia’s Cradle has grown into an essential program, and has made a difference for thousands of struggling families in the community.

“Sonia would be proud to see what her vision has grown into. Every single month, 30-35 families receive assistance from Sonia’s Cradle. And this number has more than doubled in size since COVID-19 began.” 
                                                             – Mark Stewart, Executive Director, Ridge Meadows Ministries

The people of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows continue to pull together to provide funding, and donations of formula, diapers and other essentials, because they were inspired by the efforts of Sonia Nickle. And while she may have been one person, the program has flourished because of the efforts of many – lending to the credence that “it takes a village.”

Because of the generosity and support of donors like you, programs like Sonia’s Cradle exist in communities across B.C. and they make a significant impact in the lives of many. Thank you.

To learn more about the work of The Salvation Army in British Columbia, click here.