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AUSTRALIA—The Salvation Army in Bendigo (Victoria) is offering people a place to “Chill Out” on Saturday nights between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.
Operating in a small truck, Chill Out provides a safe place for nightclub clientele who are too drunk to go home. The Army’s goal is to reduce the effects of binge drinking, antisocial behavior, violence and potential harm.
The corps offers water, hot drinks, blankets, condoms and thong sandals. About 150-200 people visit the van each week.
“A nightclub owner said this was one of the best things to happen in Bendigo,” Corps Officer Captain Martyn Scrimshaw said.
Community benefits include reduced assaults, robberies and fights, as well as the removal of drunken patrons from the streets.
From onFire/Australia Southern Territory, March 26, 2011, issue
SCOTLAND—Operators of West Scotland’s divisional emergency services canteen were ready to go when asked by Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service to respond to a large fire in Glasgow. More than 60 firefighters were already present when The Salvation Army teams arrived.
Crews served police officers, fire crews and others working on the blaze. They also distributed refreshments to people who were evacuated from their homes.
From the Salvationist/UK,
March 12, 2001 issue
CANADA—The Grind—in Pembroke, Ontario—is a youth outreach where at-risk youth can listen to music, play on organized sports teams, and interact with their peers. The facility also offers mentorship and leadership programs.
The Grind operated without a permanent base for three years until this February when it finally settled at the Pembroke Corps.
“We are excited about this new avenue of ministry,” Captains Robert and Denise Spurrell, corps officers, said. “We believe God will direct our paths to minister to the needs of our youth.”
A stronger spiritual emphasis, with Christian praise and worship evenings, has begun and an online program based on accessing and using community resources is under development.
From Salvationist.ca, April 2011 issue
MYANMAR—The Salvation Army responded with emergency supplies after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit the east of the country on March 25. Although initial reports indicated little damage, further information revealed that at least 70 and perhaps as many as 150 people lost their lives.
Lt. Colonel Bob Lee, chief secretary for the Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar Territory, said he heard from the Thachileik Corps that there was “widespread damage to homes, property and even infrastructure such as roads.”
International Headquarters provided $5,000 to cover the initial costs of buying bottled drinking water, basic food, sleeping mats and blankets. A team of cadets and officers from the School for Officer Training in Yangon went to Thachileik to help with distribution and to offer spiritual and psychological support.
Information on donating to any of The Salvation Army’s relief efforts worldwide is available at salvationarmy.org.
From a Salvation Army emergency news report
