Journey to Life Centre in Thunder Bay Celebrates its Official Grand Opening

The Salvation Army Journey to Life Centre in Thunder Bay is more than just a building. It is a place for our communities’ most vulnerable to seek shelter, a place for them looking for someone to talk to, or anyone in need of a warm and safe place to stay.

Recently, the Journey to Life Centre on Cumberland Street celebrated its grand opening – a culmination of the $15.5 million construction project for the three-storey, 30,000 sq. ft. building, double the size of the former 50-year-old structure.

“This building was built on the foundation of hope, with every brick representing a change in people’s lives,” said Gary Ferguson, Executive Director of the Journey to Life Centre.

“The walls are built with trust and the roof helps us to shelter people from the elements as well as the negative influences that rain down from outside. Our clients deserve a beautiful building.”

The Journey to Life Centre includes an emergency shelter for men, with five rooms that can accommodate four individuals with private showers and a laundry room. The Homes for the Special Care program offers permanent housing in private rooms for 16 men who require mental health support. Eight beds are available for men on early release from the federal justice system where they are helped with the transition back into community life.

Lieut.-Colonel Shawn Critch, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army Ontario Division, said the community of Thunder Bay was built upon a foundation of humility, courage, wisdom and honesty,

“The Salvation Army has been a significant part of your journey here in Thunder Bay for over 100 years through our various spiritual and social programs, and today we continue to shape the future of this land and the future of this community, creating a sacred space where hope is extended and hope is embraced,” said Lieut.-Colonel Critch.

“It’s a journey of hope and opportunity, giving the folks who are struggling in the mainstream an opportunity to lift their spirits up and make sure they’re not forgotten about,” said Fort William First Nation Chief Peter Collins. “They are part of our community. They are important to our community and they’re great assets in our community.”

Chief Collins was joined at the ceremony by Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, who encouraged people to volunteer their time to The Salvation Army.

“Once we have someone that has that passion and works with it and commits to it, so much can happen. Thank you to those that shared in that vision,” she said.

Liberal MP for Thunder Bay – Superior North Patty Hajdu, was also in attendance and said vulnerable individuals need access to essential supports to help them get back on their feet.

“These are life and death moments for people if they can’t find safe shelter,” she said. “What’s great about this project is that it does provide people an opportunity to move from a crisis phase into a more transitional space and take the time to understand what they need to do in order to move forward in their own recovery.”

Other dignitaries who attended and provided greetings where Michael Gravelle, provincial MP for Thunder Bay – Superior North, Kevin Holland, Board Member with the District Thunder of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board, Sue Prodaniuk, Board Member for the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, City of Thunder Bay Mayor Bill Mauro, Joe and Barbara McEachern, Capital Campaign co-chairs and blessing and purification of the land was conducted by Indigenous Elder Kerry McLaughlin.

The Centre’s namesake Journey to Life transitional program addresses barriers to living successfully in the community and has 20 studio apartments. Participants journey along the program and learn everything from cooking and cleaning to building positive relationships and how to be a good employee or neighbour.

“This is not just a building, this is a place of caring and compassion and I believe that many lives will be transformed over the coming years,” said Major Lori Mitchell, The Salvation Army’s Area Commander and Journey to Life Project Coordinator.

A time capsule was buried with instructions to open in 50 years in 2071. Centre residents and staff provided memorabilia to include in the capsule. Three students from St. Ignatius High School – April Burridge, Amanda Pacholczak and Veronica Pacholczak – assisted with burying the capsule.

Funding sources for the Journey to Life Centre include The Salvation Army Territorial and Divisional Headquarters, CMHC – National Housing Co-Investment Fund, Province of Ontario’s Investment in Affordable Housing program, Northern Ontario Heritage Fund and the City of Thunder Bay.