{"id":2587,"date":"2022-12-23T20:18:16","date_gmt":"2022-12-23T20:18:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/salvationarmy.ca\/ontario\/salvation-army-in-north-york-surrounds-grandmother-raising-5-children-with-love-and-support\/"},"modified":"2025-05-27T10:26:22","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T10:26:22","slug":"salvation-army-in-north-york-surrounds-grandmother-raising-5-children-with-love-and-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/salvationarmy.ca\/ontario\/2022\/12\/salvation-army-in-north-york-surrounds-grandmother-raising-5-children-with-love-and-support\/","title":{"rendered":"Salvation Army in North York Surrounds Grandmother Raising 5 Children with Love and Support"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s just a few days before Christmas and Karen, who is raising her five grandchildren, knows there will be a Christmas turkey dinner with all the trimmings and gifts under the tree, because of the support from The Salvation Army.<\/p>\n

Karen worked for many years as an executive assistant until her daughter got very ill.\u00a0 She lost her daughter in 2015 to breast cancer, leaving Karen to raise her five grandchildren, aged 8, 9, 12, 14 and 19, on her own.\u00a0 Karen is now living with painful chronic medical conditions that keep her from being able to work.\u00a0 With an income of under $15,000 it\u2019s impossible to pay the rent and feed the family.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Ontario Disability Support Program doesn\u2019t even cover my rent. It\u2019s very difficult to provide basic things for the children like food and warm clothes,\u201d said Karen. \u201cThe Salvation Army has been amazing, and they have been so helpful in providing whatever we need.\u201d<\/p>\n

Salvation Army Yorkminster Citadel Community and Family Services Manager Liz Colley says she first met the family 2 years ago.\u00a0 Liz says Karen visits The Salvation Army Food Bank once a month.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere have been times when things are really tough and I say that if she needs to come more often, then do so, she\u2019s certainly appreciative of that. By the time she pays her rent and bills, it\u2019s pretty hard, and as the kids get older, the expenses increase,\u201d Liz says.<\/p>\n

Karen says she has been trying to give back by volunteering at a Christmas Kettle for short periods of time when she is able.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t like all the taking so I did the Christmas Kettle for 2 hours on Monday. I feel better giving back. I was always a giver,\u201d said Karen. \u201cIt\u2019s embarrassing asking for help, but I would do anything for these kids.\u201d<\/p>\n

She says the children now attend Salvation Army Church services, have joined the choir and the band as well as youth group on Sundays where they have friends and play games.<\/p>\n

Liz says two of the children attend the Citadel\u2019s Music Academy and performed this December with the Yorkminster Singing Company at The Salvation Army\u2019s Christmas gala concert at Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are no costs associated with any of the music lessons or programs. There is so much support there and the kids love going; it\u2019s not like I have to drag them. \u00a0Sometimes church is a place where I feel close to my daughter. The youngest will sometimes cry for mommy during the songs. It\u2019s a place where they can grieve.\u201d<\/p>\n

Three of the children also attended Salvation Army Summer Camp, where they got the full outdoor experience something she would not normally be able to afford. \u201cThey loved it and want to go back, it\u2019s a blessing and something to look forward to,\u201d said Karen.<\/p>\n

\u201cI praise everything they have done for us emotionally and spiritually. I feel like I have community and have somewhere to go. Just talking to people is wonderful. It\u2019s great to have someone to talk to,\u201d said Karen.<\/p>\n

To support The Salvation Army, you can donate to a red Christmas Kettles in shopping areas around the city until Saturday evening or online at www.salvationarmy.ca<\/a> or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.<\/strong><\/p>\n

By: Caroline Franks<\/p>\n