Portage la Prairie | Grace Connection

Tue, Sep 8, 2009

The Salvation Army in Portage La Prairie has partnered with the courts through the Fine Options and Community Service programs. This has proven to be a way of meeting people in our community and an opportunity to influence the lives of others. Through these programs we have the opportunity to interact with people who have been mandated by the courts to either serve time in prison or to pay a fine for breaking the law. Instead of these two options, teenagers and adults come to The Salvation Army to perform work hours.

This is a great opportunity God has provided so that we can show his love to all who enter our doors, as we listen in and interact in non-judgmental ways. We seek to show Christ’s compassion and to love those who have caused pain and suffering to people in the community. We are not here to condemn, but to live out the gospel, showing others the love that Christ has shown us and witnessing for Christ.

For the offender it is an opportunity to recompense the community for their wrong doing. Some participate by helping in the food bank, stocking shelves and fillings bags. Others help by cleaning or doing other odd jobs around the corps. One of the girls doing hours asked, “Are you guys a church?” This opened the doors to a conversation that had her asking about having her baby presented to the Lord through a thanksgiving service. While she has not yet made a decision, it just goes to show the connections that can be made through this program. Think about it, this young lady probably would have never walked in from the street seeking answers to these questions.

What an awesome opportunity for The Salvation Army to continue to GIVE HOPE TODAY! The Corps also has awesome support from Community Volunteers for their programs. Pictured here is one of the great volunteers, Lillian.