Harbour Light reaches out to community

Thanks again to Major Judy Regamey, Arthur and Keenan from Salvation Army Harbour Light.  Major Judy is an ordained minister and has been with the Salvation Army for 34 years (11 in Saskatoon, before coming to Vancouver).  The Harbour Light facility first opened in 1953 with modest beginnings (small food line--soup, soap and salvation).

 

Harbour Light has grown over the years to become an important community service provider and valued neighbour in the Downtown east side.  The facility now sleeps about 300, the kitchen provides 1,500 meals per day, and the staff and volunteers provide a continuum of care to allow clients to address their individual needs and to move forward in their lives.  Other services and programs include: Anchor Drop In and Outreach Centre, shelter beds, detox beds, and transitional and permanent housing.  There are a total of 349 beds and 193 staff.  Challenges include more homeless seniors.

 

Arthur is a program graduate and he shared with us his very positive experience at Harbour Light, where he now volunteers.  His wife, Keenan (a shelter worker) also joined us.  Arthur said that the key is to deal with the loneliness and sense of isolation.