The Salvation Army Journey To Life Centre
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
The Salvation Army officially opened the new Journey to Life Centre with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
Gary Ferguson, Executive Director of the Journey to Life Centre, hosted the event which included remarks from Patty Hajdu, MP Elect (Thunder Bay – Superior North), Michael Gravelle, MPP (Thunder Bay – Superior North), Kevin Holland, TBDSSAB Board Member, Sue Prodaniuk,, NOHFC Board Member, Mayor Bill Mauro, Chief Peter Collins, Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum, Joe & Barbara McEachern (Capital Campaign Co-Chairs), and Janet Sillman (The Salvation Army Thunder Bay Social Services Community Council Chair).
“We are very grateful for our community partners who have helped make The Journey to Life Centre a reality,” said Gary Ferguson, Executive Director of the Journey to Life Centre. “This state-of-the-art centre will help our communities’ most vulnerable who are struggling with food insecurity, homelessness, addiction and unemployment.”
Lieut. Colonel Shawn Critch, The Salvation Army Ontario Divisional Commander, brought greetings on behalf of The Salvation Army. Major Lori Mitchell, Executive Director from 2015 – 2020, brought good wishes to the clients and staff whose lives will be impacted by the new facility.
During the ceremony, a time capsule was buried with instructions to open it 50 years from now in 2071. The residents and staff provided memoriabilia to include in the capsule. Three students from the St. Ignatius Common Bonds class - April Burridge, Amanda Pacholczak, and Veronica Pacholczak assisted with this part of the event. It is our hope that they will be present when the capsule is opened.
The ceremony concluded with the ribbon cutting by of the dignitaries present. After the ceremony, guided tours were available attendees.
This facility replaced the aging, former hotel that was home to our residential and community programs for 50 years. The 30,000 sq. ft. three story building doubled the size of the old
building and provides enhanced programing and a greater sense of privacy and dignity for the clients. The building has been designed by i4architecture and their team that includes TBT Engineering, Lisa Sandham Interior Designs, and Werner Schwar Landscape Architect. M Builds is the construction manager for the project.
Funding sources include The Salvation Army Territorial and Divisional Headquarters, CMHC – National Housing Co-Investment Fund, Province of Ontario’s Investment in Affordable Housing program through TBDSSAB, Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, and the City of Thunder Bay.
About The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory
The Salvation Army is an international faith-based organization that began its work in Canada in 1882 and has grown to become the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country. The Salvation Army gives hope and support to vulnerable people today and every day in over 400 communities across Canada and in 131 countries around the world. The Salvation Army offers practical assistance for children and families, often tending to the basic necessities of life, providing shelter for homeless people and rehabilitation for people who have lost control of their lives to an addiction. When you give to The Salvation Army, you are investing in the future of marginalized and overlooked people in your community.
