Meeting the Spiritual and Nutritional Needs of Algonquin College Students

Exams can be a stressful time, and to ease the pressure, 14 volunteers with The Salvation Army Barrhaven Church brought some sweet relief to Algonquin College students in Ottawa recently. For 16 years now, Barrhaven Church volunteers have spent a day with Algonquin students, handed out delicious snacks, fruit, homemade baked goods, hot chocolate and coffee, provided by the church congregation.

“We fed about 500 to 600 students and there was ample opportunity to speak into their lives and their concerns as they write or prepare to write exams. The Spiritual Care Department was also on hand with free Bibles,” said Sharon Dean, Community Care Ministries Secretary at Barrhaven Church.

The Salvation Army is one of several churches invited by the College’s Spiritual Care Department to provide support to students during examination weeks in December and April.

Captain Laura Van Schaick, Corps Officer with The Salvation Army Barrhaven Church, said the need for assistance often goes beyond simply providing a quick snack to students.

“We not only care for their physical needs by giving them some food, but also meet their emotional spiritual needs. We’re providing holistic care, with an acknowledgement that we care for the whole person,” Captain Van Schaick says.

Many students attending class at Algonquin are new to Canada, and many stopped by to deliver prayers of thanks for the opportunity to be living in a safe and welcoming country, and the chance to get an education, something that is not possible in all countries.

Other students dropped a prayer request into a box that is followed up on by a member of Barrhaven’s spiritual care team, some of whom especially enjoy working with students and new Canadians. And some students even asked for a prayer right on the spot.

“We start a conversation and see where it goes. These students, these young adults, are branching out into the adult world and they need support too, especially during the high stress of writing exams. This is a really unique way to let them know that we care,” Captain Van Schaick says.

Barrhaven Church spiritual care teams will return to Algonquin College next April to provide more support for students during spring exam week.