Salvation Army couple find ways to connect with their community
When newly commissioned Salvation Army officers Rob and Jennifer Henson arrived in West Kelowna in July 2017, they spent a lot of time listening and connecting with their new community. While their official responsibilities are as pastors in the church, they also look for ways for the Salvation Army to partner in the community.
“We want to be good neighbours here,” said Jennifer. “This is our community. This is where our kids are kids growing up.”
The decision to become officers in the Salvation Army came relatively late in life for the couple.
Rob had known for years that he was called to serve as a pastor; however, Jennifer taught elementary school and stayed home with the couple’s children before she felt the call.
After undergoing the Salvation Army’s in-depth screening process, in 2015 they picked up their family and spent two years at ordination college for officer training in Winnipeg.
Upon graduation they were assigned to West Kelowna one year after the Community Life Centre opened.
They paid attention to the assets and resources already available, including the Boys and Girls Clubs, active service clubs, churches and strong indigenous leadership with Westbank First Nation.
“You look around and you ask, ‘How do I fit into that?’” said Jennifer, likening it to putting a puzzle together with resources and volunteers in the community.
Sometimes the Salvation Army isn’t the missing piece; however, the Hensons can see where other pieces fit, such as connecting the Lake Country Food Bank, which often has a surplus of food, with the Westside Community Outreach.
Since their arrival in West Kelowna, the Hensons have found more people needing support because of increasing food and housing costs, with some families having to choose between groceries and providing clothes for their kids.
Poverty can be hidden in Canada. “Sometimes when you’re 83 and still working it’s not because you really love being with people,” said Jennifer. “Maybe you do, but maybe it’s also because you can’t afford to otherwise.”
People can come to the supportive Salvation Army food bank up to six times a year if necessary after they have accessed the Central Okanagan Food Bank.
The Salvation Army can also provide furniture and in the case of losing a home to fire or setting up refugees, they can help outfit a home.
Rob wants to dispel the misconception that people need to be homeless or in financial crisis before they can access Salvation Army services.
Many people come into the food bank feeling like they shouldn’t be accepting help.
The Hensons want to break that stigma down.
The food and clothes are coming from our community, said Jennifer.
“Let the community stand with you in this moment of need and there will be a time in your life when things will be different and you’ll be the one making the donation and standing beside someone else in their time of need,” she added.
That feeling of support people get from knowing there are others out there who care is sometimes just as important as the material need, she said.
While they start with food, furniture and clothing, the Hensons want to address the holistic needs of people by creating opportunities for people to be together to reduce loneliness and social isolation.
One way for people to get involved in the community is through volunteering.
There are volunteer opportunities yearround at the Salvation Army, from working in the thrift store to emergency services and disaster response.
The Salvation Army can also connect volunteers with other organizations so people can volunteer where their passion and skills are and give back in a way that’s meaningful to them.
To volunteer, email volunteer@kelsa. ca or call 250-860-2329.