Ottawa Booth Centre’s Community and Family Services Continues to Provide Essential Hope, Support During these Unprecedented Times
The Salvation Army Ottawa Booth Centre’s Community and Family Services is open and available to support those in need with food and clothing.
While the shelter is currently under quarantine protocols and not accepting new residents, the Community and Family Services supports never shut its doors, though no one other than staff is permitted into the building.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Community and Family Services hours of operation were adjusted to an appointment only Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. rather than the pre-pandemic Monday to Friday drop-in availability.
“We can schedule at least 24 families a day every 15 minutes. It is not possible to serve the same number of people with safety protocols in place,” says Diana Javier, Coordinator of Community and Family Services at the Ottawa Booth Centre.
All public health guidelines are being followed, with all staff and clients requiring mandatory mask use. In between client appointments, the distribution area in the parking lot where food and clothing is being distributed is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.
Prior to the pandemic, Community and Family Services was able to assist between 28 and 50 families per day, but that number was reduced to ensure the safety of clients and staff.
Similar to other community organizations, The Salvation Army had to pivot in how they provide help to our community’s most vulnerable. Because of reduced access and demand for assistance during the pandemic, new measures were put into place so clients could safely and easily access vital supports. They now have the option to pick up a meal and clothing once a month instead of every three months.
“Transitioning these supports in this way to help our community’s most vulnerable was vital,” says Javier. “The need for food and clothing continues to increase, and our mission is to give hope and support.”
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in March 2020, Javier explained that there was a lot of fear in the community, with people losing their jobs and many support agencies closing their doors.
“For a month and a half there were a lot of unknowns. Community and Family Services was averaging 80 calls a day, not including inquiries about our shelter services, with people wanting to know what we we’re offering and other available supports in the community. To help with this, we acted as an information hub at the time and researched what resources remained opened in the community,” Javier says.
Hours of availability at The Salvation Army’s Ottawa Booth Centre is reduced but the amount of available food and clothing to clients has not declined – in fact, the opposite is true.
During pre-COVID-19, clients would routinely leave with three bags of food; now they receive five bags of food, including fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs, milk, meat, baked goods and dessert. The demand for winter clothes such as jackets and boots has also increased and dedicated donors have responded to meet that need.
“I want to emphasize that without the support of frontline staff and their commitment, none of these services would be possible. My team is the heart of the service and I could not have done it without them,” said Javier.
Areas where help is needed and would be greatly appreciated are volunteering and financial donations. Because volunteers aren’t able to enter the building, the Ottawa Booth Centre staff is working hard to provide hope and support to everyone who needs it.
“We appreciate every donation of food and clothing however there is a need for volunteers in various capacities and additional financial support will go a long way in helping us deliver our services to the community’s most vulnerable,” Javier said.
To provide financial support to The Salvation Army, donations can be made online at www.salvationarmy.ca or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY, where donations can also be directed to a specific program or location.
By Chris McGregor
