The Salvation Army Foothills Church & Community Ministries

When Ouafaa Eladmi and her family moved to Canada three years ago, she knew they were embarking on a transitional period that might require some sacrifices, one of them being the Christmas season.

Lara (not her real name) considers herself a workaholic. She used to juggle three jobs and did everything she could to earn enough to help her family live comfortably. That changed after the birth of her second child. With daycare costs rising and two children under three, Lara chose to put her family first and became a full-time mom, while her husband continued working. The decision allowed her to be present for her children, but it also brought financial challenges, especially with three little ones to support.

A few years ago, Nicole Ryder found herself in a difficult situation. Despite being fully employed, she was unable to find an affordable place to rent, which led her to live out of her car. At the same time, she was five months pregnant and felt the pressure to secure a safe shelter for her baby. Fortunately, with the assistance of The Salvation Army in High River, Alta., she not only found housing and food support but also a job opportunity.