{"id":1973,"date":"2013-05-22T15:54:02","date_gmt":"2013-05-22T15:54:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/salvationarmy.ca\/britishcolumbia\/55-of-salvation-army-programs-see-an-increase-in-need\/"},"modified":"2025-05-26T11:25:27","modified_gmt":"2025-05-26T11:25:27","slug":"55-of-salvation-army-programs-see-an-increase-in-need","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/salvationarmy.ca\/britishcolumbia\/2013\/05\/22\/55-of-salvation-army-programs-see-an-increase-in-need\/","title":{"rendered":"55% of Salvation Army Programs see an increase in need."},"content":{"rendered":"

A new report from The Salvation Army, released as part of Dignity Month, reveals that despite a rebounding economy, many Canadian families and young people are still struggling to make ends meet. \u201cYouth in Need: The Economic Challenges<\/strong><\/a>,\u201d revealed that since the recession began in 2008, 55 percent of Salvation Army youth programs in Canada saw an increase in demand for low-fee or free extracurricular programs and meals during those difficult times. Despite an increase in volunteerism and donations at some centres, other Salvation Army programs were forced to cut back, or discontinue services.<\/p>\n

Salvation Army facilities, including community centres, meal programs, camps, preschools, daycare, after-school programs, and other youth ministries have witnessed the growing need since 2008. More than 180 respondents from cities across the country, including Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Halifax, Windsor, London, Ottawa, Toronto and St. John\u2019s, provided input for the report on how services were impacted.<\/p>\n

“Children were affected just as much as adults during the recession. Jobs were lost and people struggled with their finances. This changed what activities they could afford and affected their ability to feed their families,\u201d said Major Keith Pike, Territorial Youth Secretary for The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda. \u00a0\u201cWe have seen families look to cut costs by visiting our services. By providing a sense of dignity and a safe space where kids can be kids, positive choices are made that often keep those kids out of harm\u2019s way.\u201d<\/p>\n

From music lessons to athletics and food programs, The Salvation Army has a wide range of programs for children and their families. According to The Salvation Army\u2019s most recent annual report, The Salvation Army assisted more than 1.8 million people in 2011, up from 1.7 in 2010. The Salvation Army continues to provide care and assistance to as many people as possible, despite increasing demand.<\/p>\n

The Salvation Army saw increases in support to meet the recession\u2019s challenges. Generous support from donors and volunteers has allowed 53 percent of Salvation Army youth facilities to expand services and meet the growing needs head on.<\/p>\n

Key findings from \u201cYouth in Need\u201d include:<\/p>\n

Demand:<\/strong><\/p>\n