The Salvation Army Stan Hagen Centre for Families now provides more personal-development and life-skills training for its clients, thanks in part to funding by the Victoria Foundation.
The Salvation Army provides hope and support to vulnerable people in more than 400 communities in Canada. In response to local needs, the Victoria branch of the charitable organization started the Learning Centre about 15 years ago.
The program, open to all ages, provides basic employment training skills to students of all ages and abilities, including computer proficiency, customer service training, workplace hazardous materials information system training, resume writing, job-search techniques, budgeting, communications skills, interview preparation, job referrals and life skills.
“It’s part of a continuum of care that the Salvation Army offers,” said Pat Humble, director of the Stan Hagen Centre for Families. “We offer counselling, help people gain confidence and provide the practicum so that students are ready for their employment interview.”
The recent funding by the Victoria Foundation, along with money from a legacy fund, has enabled the program to purchase 15 computers needed to teach various Microsoft programs (based on Microsoft Specialist Approved courseware) and new-course textbooks.
They have also expanded teaching facilities and added more classes.
“We have been able to create a new classroom and more than double the classes available,” said Humble.
He said that the funding has allowed the program to venture beyond just computer literacy classes. Enrolment is limited to 23 students and the program has a waiting list each month.
There is no minimum or maximum age limit. The mixed classes have resulted in a number of interactions where teens have learned from seniors, and vice versa.
The program’s success can be measured by the dozens of students that have been accepted into further education, thanks to the skills they have acquired. Others have realized greater employment opportunities.
“It’s a pathway to hope, created by the needs of the people,” said Humble.
For more information, go to sashcf.com.
