Cuts of Hope: The Power of Volunteering
At The Salvation Army Ridge Meadows Ministries in Maple Ridge, acts of volunteerism help bring dignity and renewal to those facing difficult times. Between meals, emotional support, and social reintegration, a simple gesture—like a haircut—can make all the difference.
Small gestures create a big impact at the housing facility. For Ellie Ollenberger, 22, a passionate hairstylist, cutting hair goes far beyond aesthetics—it is an act of dignity and care. With this mindset, she volunteered to offer free haircuts to the shelter’s clients. For many, this moment was not just about appearance but about regaining self-esteem and feeling valued.
“Being here today as a volunteer, for me, honestly, I think it’s super rewarding and an easy way to give back to the community. I grew up in Maple Ridge, I drive by The Salvation Army every day, and I know that haircuts may seem like a small thing, but they can change the way a person sees themselves. Seeing someone smile when they look in the mirror makes it all worthwhile.”
Among the clients served was 78-year-old Alan. For him, the feeling was one of gratitude and renewal. “It’s been a long time since I felt this way. This haircut gave me a sense of dignity. I’ve been at the shelter since last June, and I feel safe here. I’m grateful to Julie and everyone who works here for their care,” Alan highlights.
Another client, Tara, seemed a little nervous at first as new hands touched her hair. “I never knew that there were haircuts available until today. So, I’m taking the opportunity to use the resources they have here. I’m nervous because it’s a new person doing my hair. Last time, I did it myself—I can’t afford it; it’s expensive for me right now.”
When Ellie finished the cut, both were happy and proud of the result, Tara smiled with a renewed sense of self-esteem.
The Executive Director of Ridge Meadows Ministries, Julie Gilfillan, emphasizes the importance of initiatives like this, which go beyond the service provided and profoundly impact the lives of residents.
“We’re receiving a hairstylist from Bromley Hair Lounge today, and she’s doing incredibly important work with us. I think it breaks down a lot of barriers that, unfortunately, our population faces—maybe they can’t afford a haircut, maybe they don’t have access to a salon, or maybe they feel stigma when they go to get a haircut. There are so many barriers, and this allows them to access the services they need and want without feeling out of place.”
The Emergency Shelter
Located in Maple Ridge, the shelter provides 55 beds for individual adults (19+). It offers essential services to meet guests’ immediate needs, including accommodation, nutritious meals and basic hygiene. The shelter aims to restore dignity and create new opportunities for people in vulnerable situations.
Julie also reinforces the importance of volunteering with The Salvation Army. “We couldn’t do the work we do without volunteers. They help us with haircuts. We have people who help in the kitchen, preparing big lunches for school kids or for our clients. We also have volunteers in our food bank who help put together food hampers for people. We couldn’t run all of our programs and services without the volunteers we have.”
To learn more about the programs and services offered at the Ridge Meadows Ministries, and how you can get involved, visit RidgeMeadowsSA.ca