What is The Salvation Army?

about us The Salvation Army is an international religious movement, founded in 1865. Its message is based on the Bible...its ministry is motivated by love of God and a practical concern for the needs of humanity.

We provide practical help and compassionate care without prejudice. All clients are helped with respect for dignity and worth, and with an understanding of physical, psychological, material, social and spiritual needs.

The Salvation Army Community & Family Services is dedicated to helping anyone, anywhere, at anytime. If we cannot directly provide assistance, we'll do our best to connect our clients with someone who can.

Our philosophy of ministry is holistic. We have programs that meet people's physical, emotional, spiritual, educational, and recreational needs. An individual who comes to us in need of food may sometimes have deeper needs that have led them to our centre. They may have need of employment or life skills counseling. We are prepared to help meet each of these needs. Our goal is not to just grant a request and send people on their way. We want to get to the real issues that are keeping them from becoming all that God wants them to be. We do not want to just give a hand-out, but also give a hand-up.

It's a Fact!

In the Greater Victoria area in 2007,

more than 30,000 individuals were assisted with food, clothing, shelter and/or transportation.
more than 3000 individuals received professional counselling.
1000 families received assistance at Christmas
6000 toys were distributed to needy children.

The Salvation Army is British Columbia's largest non-governmental provider of social services.