Family feels part of community thanks to The Salvation Army and now donates time to help out during Christmas Kettle Campaign

Natali Rios and her husband arrived in Canada in 2019. They left everything behind when they moved from Columbia and had to restart their lives.

“At that moment I wasn’t feeling good. I was feeling really bad because I left my home, my family, and my profession. My husband also left everything behind as well. And my English wasn’t good,” says Natali.

They first rented a basement apartment and the family who owned the house told them about some of the support services The Salvation Army offers. They visited The Salvation Army Scarborough Citadel Community Church, and right away felt part of the community. The first essential service the family relied on was the Food Bank.

“When I received the help, it really impacted my life. All the community and people at The Salvation Army helped me feel like I was part of a family and the opportunity to start again in my life in a new culture,” says Natali.

The Rios also received donated furniture and were part of a counselling program. The help they received impacted theirs lives so much that they wanted to start giving back right away. That first year, they were volunteers for The Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle Campaign and the year after they helped with CTV Toy Mountain.

“We are volunteers because it is the way to thank and help others who arrive in the same situation, who need love, trust and support,” says Natali.

Last year Natali gave birth to her first child, Alicia, and this year, she has signed up to participate in the CTV Toy Mountain program, so her daughter can receive a Christmas gift.

“Our hearts are always grateful for living in a safe country, surrounded by wonderful people and a community that serves and supports all of us who come looking for support, guidance and hope,” Natali says.