Assia Said: A dedicated volunteer and friend of The Salvation Army
Assia is a loyal and dedicated volunteer to The Salvation Army
For the first 29 years that Assia Said lived in Canada, her impression of The Salvation Army was thrift stores and kettles. However, like many people, it was when she needed a helping hand that she learned more about the good the Army provides to those looking for a second chance.
“It’s a great organization,” Assia says. “Seeing how much it gives and how the community is helped. They accept you for who you are.”
Assia is a single mother of four, and in 2017 she found herself at the Win House women’s shelter after fleeing an unhealthy relationship. On her last day at the shelter, she was given a list of resources to help her get back on her feet. It was an extremely hard time in her life. The places she was turning to for help, made her feel unwelcomed.
After exhausting all her options, she turned to The Salvation Army and that’s when things started to look up for her. She contacted The Salvation Army’s Castledowns location and spoke to someone over the phone. They told her that they take walk-ins and there was no wait time. Excited about the news, she hopped on a bus and was there in 30 minutes. After sitting with a staff member and explaining her situation, Assia was given vouchers for The Salvation Army thrift store. This allowed her to get kitchen supplies, bedding, and clothes for herself and her children.
“They’re very understanding,” Assia explains. “You don’t have to feel ashamed that you need help.”
Transitioning from client to volunteer
Her relationship with The Salvation Army changed one day when she walked into the church and noticed a mural on the wall with a saying that was translated into several different languages. As someone who can speak seven languages, she saw an error in one of the translations. She quickly offered to fix it for the church. That was the beginning of her volunteering for the Army.
“When she first came to us, she came to us as a client, and now she would call us her family,” Major Carolyn Hale, Officer at Castledowns Church, explains. “That transformation has taken place where you came as an individual, but what she found here was a family.”
On a day-to-day basis, Assia helps at the food pantry at Castledowns. Her dedication to the Army does not stop there. She has dressed up as the Sally Ann mascot during Donut Day, through wildfire season she dedicated her time for the Emergency Disaster Services team by cooking meals and serving water to evacuees. She has given her time to events such as BRAVE; a course for young girls to build self-esteem and confidence. Her hard work does not go unnoticed. As a result, in March of 2023, she received a volunteer appreciation award for her commitment during the Christmas season. A total of 224 hours were worked on a kettle by Assia – the most, by far of any volunteer.
“It makes me feel like I have a purpose,” she explains.
How she creates connection
Every day there’s a new story with each food bank client that walks through the doors. A simple “how’s your day going?” can mean so much to someone just looking for a connection. She understands that a modest interaction can brighten someone’s day, and a friendly hug or giving an extra loaf of bread can create a lasting bond.
“I have family here now that looks after me like I’m one of them,” Assia said.
“Now she’s just a part of us. That’s the beautiful connection that we’ve seen made with her,” Major Carolynn said.
Her hard work and faithfulness is the reason we can continue to help those in our communities. We are extremely thankful for her willingness to give her time and help make lasting change in someone’s life. Thank you, Assia, for being a wonderful and committed volunteer to The Salvation Army.
