A Leap of Faith: Journeying Toward Change With The Salvation Army

For Deana, the view from the receiving side of the food bank counter is a lifeline. Since 2019, she has been visiting The Salvation Army’s location in west Mississauga, relying on groceries to get over the monthly gap in her household’s food supply.

Alongside her common-law husband, Jonathan, Deana started to receive more than just food; the experience created a lasting connection with staff that grew stronger with each visit, resulting in a transformative change with the help of The Salvation Army.

Last summer, the 38-year-old Mississauga resident decided it was time for a change to support her family better financially, and after enrolling in the Community Service Worker program at Medix College, a 400-hour practicum was required to complete the program.

This time, Deana was on the giving side of a Salvation Army food bank counter to accomplish the required hours to successfully complete the post-secondary program.

“I took a leap of faith to get this practicum, and it really was a Godsend because the team at the food bank are a great group of people committed to making life easier for anyone reaching out for help,” Deana says.

Overcoming Obstacles to Achieve Goals

“I grew up with an alcoholic stepfather, and my own father was not part of my life. My mother was a single parent and my family faced significant financial struggles,” Deana says. “As a young adult, I found myself spiraling down a path of substance use.”

Those past traumas and the need to confront them served as the push she needed to inspire others facing their own challenges through a lens of hope, positivity, and encouragement.

“It is something special to help someone make a change in their own life and tell them that whatever they’ve been subjected to doesn’t have to be the reality,” Deana says. “You can be so much more, and you can break away from whatever has put you in a bad spot to make a better life for yourself.”

Ann Pugh, program and volunteer coordinator at The Salvation Army Mississauga Community Church, played a pivotal role in helping Deana make a better life for herself and her family. She attributes it to divine intervention.

“I didn’t know her, but from that conversation I knew God had sent her to us,” Ann says. “She fit in perfectly, and everyone loved her, and it was the best decision I could have made.”

This support from Ann and others was greatly appreciated as Deana continued to move forward while also expecting a child. While she needed to take public transportation a long distance to get back and forth from home and The Salvation Army for the three-month experience, she says it was worth it to make a difference by packing, sorting and distributing food to those in need.

Success Through Perseverance

That leap of faith Deana decided to take when she internally made the decision to change careers and connect with The Salvation Army resulted in achieving 90 per cent for the practicum component, but it also ignited a deep desire to work for the organization that continues to support her family each month.

“We only have one life to live. This experience proved to me that there are people out there who want to lift each other up. That’s what it’s all about. I enjoyed every moment at the food bank, and it was the best summer of my life.”

Whenever there is hardship, we’ll be there to assist people like Deana. To support our life-changing programs and services across Ontario or in your community, please donate at www.salvationarmy.ca or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.