Captain Neil and Major Sherrelee Gray (centre) with their team at Palmerston Bunnings at the store's recent Father’s Day celebration. Image: Facebook BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE Leaders at a corps in the Northern Territory have taken a creative approach to fundraising and community engagement through a thriving partnership with Bunnings. The Palmerston Corps, located south-east of the Darwin CBD, has built a strong, mutually beneficial pastoral relationship with the Palmerston Bunnings home improvement store. Corps Officers Captain Neil Gray and his wife, Major Sherrelee Gray, have booked their team for more than 40 Bunnings barbecues this year, with most scheduled for Fridays. The team benefits greatly from this partnership, with the funds from the barbecues covering all the team’s ministry needs. But it isn’t just about the financial aspect. With Fridays being less busy than weekends, there is an additional benefit. “They afford a much more relaxed approach to being able to talk with people over their sausage sizzle purchase,” Neil said. “We now have regular people from the general public who will swing by on a Friday to see if we’re there.” Previously, the schedule was even more hectic, with every Friday dedicated to cooking sausages. Sherrelee insisted the team take a break one Friday a month to avoid burnout. With this plan in place, the routine allows for strategic engagement with Bunnings staff and patrons. “A lot of them [the barbecues] come at really opportune times,” Neil said. “Last year, we did three days before Christmas and three days after, which gave us a huge presence in the community at a time when we were talking about Jesus. “We continue to be really blessed by that whole arrangement where we have such a warm, healthy connection with Bunnings, and they’re really happy to have us there.” But it wasn’t just about chatting. The food on offer was important too. Neil said the team had “professionalised the barbecue side of things”. Read more: Meet the Officer – Captain Neil Gray “We are consistently providing a really good sausage sandwich for people, which is really important when you’re there so often,” Neil said. “We’ve got this reputation now of cooking a really good barbecue [and] being available for a chat and a conversation.” Neil said they had also established a staff discount, allowing Bunnings staff to purchase at half price. “That’s become a real positive thing for the staff,” Neil said. “They’re really appreciative of that, and the amount of connections we’ve been able to make that have led to referrals to services or just a pastoral chat where we can offer some insight or reflection on a situation [is huge].” The team has also given out “probably half a dozen” Bibles. “We’ll have staff come down and ask if they can get a Bible from us,” he said. “So the next time we’re wandering in to do a barbecue, we’re taking a Bible with us and awkwardly looking for that staff member before the day gets too busy. “Things we would never have dreamed would come of it, they’ve really become the important aspects of it.” Patricia*, a Bunnings employee, said the Palmerston Salvos had been “incredibly supportive in many ways”. She said that, at her granddaughter’s request, Neil and Sherrelee bought her granddaughter a beautiful leather-bound Bible, which is now being read “religiously”. She said the pair also provided information about local youth services and offered to assist the family with any additional needs. “They’ve been quite helpful,” she said. “They’ve been there to have a chat with me when needed.” Nicole Currey, another employee at the store, said Neil and Sherrelee's team were a “warm, welcoming, and friendly” presence at the store, always happy to see everyone. She said she had bought them each a Bunnings bear as a way to give something back. The Palmerston Salvos team at Bunnings during the 2026 Red Shield Appeal. Image: Facebook “They’re just so nice,” she said. “I’ve never seen them have a bad word to anybody. They’re just lovely, and they remember people. I just really reckon they’re awesome.” She said that when she started at the store last year, she felt very nervous, but felt reassured that with Neil and Sherrelee around, there was always somebody who would be happy to see her. “They just always made me feel welcome, so that made my start there easier,” Nicole said. She also said they had “the best sausage sizzle”. “I’m a bit of a connoisseur with sausage sizzles now!” she said. ‘Community of Faith’ gathering As a follow-up to the connections the team makes at Bunnings and elsewhere in town, they have also established a Community of Faith gathering on a Tuesday evening. Neil said, as a matter of coincidence, that it now falls into the same category as a recovery church model. Through collaboration with TSA’s Sunrise Centre Drug and Alcohol program, the team became aware that there was little in the way of a bridge back to either homelessness services or independent living after clients had completed the program. “Even though that wasn't our intent, and I think we really just wanted to launch a community of faith activity that just honoured connection and relationship and was really easy to access for people who didn't have a church history, that came about largely as our collaboration with alcohol and other drugs and homelessness increased,” Neil said. “There was a bit of a cliff face for [clients], and there was no real continuity of engagement.” “So that brought us to thinking about what that would look like, and from that we came up with this concept of a Community of Faith meeting that was held over a meal. [We’re] certainly not breaking any new ground, but just working on a model that we put into practice when we were at St Kilda many moons ago, running a chapel outreach there. And yeah, basically, we just launched that model here.” The Community of Faith meetings now attract an average of about 25 attendees each week, and through the Bunnings roster, the team can fully fund this venture from the proceeds. This means the team doesn’t need to take up an offering at church services, and attendees can simply participate without any expectation. “With our Bunnings collaboration, we have found that we can be pretty much whatever we set our hearts to or whatever God’s placing on our hearts. It’s been the rarest of occasions where we’ve looked in the bank and found that we can’t do it because of money.” “The capacity that we’ve got through Bunnings to support and fund a lot of our ministry ideas has been amazing.” *Not her real name

Ballarat Corps Officer Major Zane Haupt (right) with Ballarat Christian College teacher Trent Loader, Christine Barlow (Education Support Staff) and school students. BY ANDREA REDFORD The Salvation Army in Ballarat, Victoria, is partnering with a local school to serve the community and to develop students’ workplace skills and compassion. The initiative, called ‘A Place at the Table’, involves a weekly community breakfast run by students from Ballarat Christian College. The breakfast is held at the corps, with students supported by college staff and by Major Zane and Captain Marika Haupt, Corps Officers at The Salvation Army Ballarat Community Church. “On Friday mornings, VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) students prepare and serve nutritious breakfasts, pack take-home lunches and welcome guests into a friendly cafe setting,” explained teacher Dr Trent Loader, who, alongside Zane and Marika, created the program. “They also participate in planning, teamwork and reflection, and consider the community needs being addressed and how the program could improve.” The idea for the program emerged from Trent’s desire to connect meaningful learning with a practical community need: “We wanted our VCE VM students to take responsibility for a community project where their contribution would make a difference.” Trent met with the Haupts to discuss what might be possible, and the trio quickly found common ground. “When we first began exploring whether this initiative was possible, we were pleasantly surprised by how closely the values of Ballarat Christian College aligned with those of The Salvation Army,” said Marika. “We committed those thoughts and dreams to prayer and, gradually, A Place at the Table began to take shape. “From there, Zane and I spent time at the College, meeting and getting to know the students who would be involved. This gave us the opportunity to introduce them to The Salvation Army, both nationally and in the context of our local Ballarat community, and to help them understand the work they would be part of.” A Ballarat Christian College student serves community members who have come in for breakfast. Since launching in July this year, the students have embraced the opportunities offered by A Place at the Table. Isabella, a student who serves meals each week, knows the program’s benefits extend far beyond learning to prepare and serve food. “The best thing is being able to see the impact on the community members,” she said. “Being able to be a part of a larger cause and serving others is a huge reward for every student.” Marika has been impressed by the students’ willingness to serve others and to try something new. “It’s been incredibly rewarding to see them discover what they are capable of and recognise the difference they can make in the lives of others,” she said. “In a small way, I think our guests also feel they are giving something back to the students, making it a genuinely rewarding experience for everyone involved.” Students in the kitchen preparing the breakfasts. Beyond developing workplace skills, Trent said the students’ personal development is central. “Students develop confidence, communication, teamwork and a stronger sense of responsibility because other people are relying on their contribution,” he said. “There is something powerful about a young person recognising, ‘I have something valuable to contribute.’ They are learning through being useful, building relationships and participating in their community.” A Place at the Table reflects Ballarat Christian College and The Salvation Army’s shared commitment to hospitality, as expressed in Romans 12:13, “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” “Ultimately, A Place at the Table is about more than serving a meal,” said Marika. “It’s about building relationships, creating a sense of belonging and helping young people discover the joy and value of serving their community. “When organisations share a common heart for people, wonderful things can happen.” Pamphlets onThe Salvation Army’s work are available as part of the breakfast morning. And the breakfast menu with a selection of meals. The Salvation Army-Ballarat Christian College breakfast team after another successful morning.

COMCAB members: (back row from left): Karl Westwood, Commissioner Yusak Tampai, Lieut-Colonel Nigel Cross, Major Amy Reardon, Envoy Bill Ury, Commissioner Jenine Main. Front row (left to right): Colonel Bishow Samhika, Lieutenant Emily Betts, Commissioner Geoff Webb, Colonel Dean Pallant, Major Juanita Wright, Commissioner Henrik Andersen. Online (not pictured): Commissioner Evie Diaz. What does it mean to belong to The Salvation Army? How can we encourage people to grow as faithful followers of Jesus? These questions are at the heart of the work of the Commission on Membership, Covenant and Belonging (COMCAB), recently convened at Sunbury Court, near London, for its second in-person meeting. Appointed by General Lyndon Buckingham in July 2026, the commission is examining The Salvation Army’s membership structures in relation to its doctrine, Orders and Regulations and other official publications. A shared faith and purpose As both an international movement and part of the wider Christian Church, The Salvation Army is considering fundamental questions about what membership, covenant and belonging mean for its people. Central to the commission’s discussions is the importance of discipleship; not simply belonging to an organisation, but growing in faith, living out the Army’s commitment to holiness and becoming more like Christ. The four-day gathering earlier this month provided an opportunity for focused discussions, alongside worship, prayer and reflection, as members explored the theological foundations of membership and the role of covenant in our relationship with God and The Salvation Army. Listening to voices across the world The commission continues to meet regularly online and work in smaller groups, supported by a wider network of corresponding members. An important next stage will involve listening to a range of voices from across the international Salvation Army, including children and young people, leaders of Salvation Army territories and representatives from International Headquarters. While its work continues, commission members have expressed gratitude for the prayers and encouragement already received. United in faith and purpose, they remain focused on a shared aspiration: that everyone who belongs to The Salvation Army might grow as a faithful and fruitful disciple of Jesus. READ MORE: General appoints new commission

The Territorial Commander, Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, warmly welcomes the following officers as they recommence their officership within the Australia Territory. We rejoice in their reacceptance and look forward to the leadership, experience, and ministry they will bring as they continue to serve God and others. Effective 5 October 2026 Major Marty Lees Effective 13 January 2027 Major Fouzia Mubarik Major Oleksandr (Alex) Nikolaichuk To view the latest appointment changes, click here

The Salvation Army’s Nigel Johnston, left, (Procurement Business Partner) and Ian Girvan (General Manager of Strategic Sourcing and Procurement) with Shieldy at the forum. BY MATT ALLENSBY From supply chain transparency and modern slavery to textile recovery and the transition to a greener future, our suppliers were challenged to think differently about where the goods and services they provide come from during The Salvation Army’s annual Supplier Forum on Thursday 3 September. Hosted by the Procurement team and MC’d by Procurement Officer Kaiyah Atreides, the forum brought together over 100 representatives from across The Salvation Army and our supplier network to connect, share ideas and explore how organisations can work together to create more responsible, transparent and sustainable supply chains. The annual forum provides an opportunity for both Salvation Army representatives and suppliers to strengthen their understanding of responsible sourcing practices, while considering the role collaboration can play in identifying modern slavery risks and creating positive change. Strong partnerships start with transparency Following an Acknowledgment of Country led by Reconciliation Action Plan & Projects Manager Sue Hodges, Secretary for Business Support Major Marco Lupis and General Manager Strategic Sourcing and Procurement Ian Girvan welcomed attendees and reflected on the importance of strong supplier partnerships. The Salvation Army’s Major Marco Lupis (left) and Leanne Carty. Leading why responsible sourcing matters, Procurement Manager Leanne Carty and Responsible Sourcing Manager Robyn Ormerod from the Procurement team highlighted the value of collaboration and greater visibility across supply chains, including how openly sharing information and working towards common goals can help organisations better understand where products come from and the conditions under which they are produced. That theme carried into the first panel of the day, with General Manager Transformational Gifts Joanne Bishop joined by Kate Betts, Head of the NAB Foundation, and Natalie Driessen, Community Engagement Manager, Corporate Affairs at Bunnings discussing the importance of holistic partnerships. The theme was also echoed by Gabby Ashworth from the Office of the Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner as she shared updates of the Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner’s Strategic Plan. In the following session, Sue Hodges welcomed yarning and ideas shared from Jessica Lakey (Supply Nation) and Jason Thompson (Connecting Brands) on how we can increase Indigenous supplier diversity to support improved economic and social outcomes aligned with TSA’s Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan. Hearing the human impact One of the day’s most powerful moments came from Mamutjan, who joined the forum via video link to share his lived experience of forced labour. Speaking through interpreter Ramila Chanisheff, President of the Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women’s Association, Mamutjan reflected on the profound and lasting impact forced labour has had on his life and the challenges he faced seeking safety. His testimony brought the human impact behind why responsible sourcing is essential into sharp focus, with attendees visibly moved by his story. “Lived experience stories like Mamutjan’s are powerful lessons, teaching us the vital importance of ensuring supply chain transparency,” said The Salvation Army’s Responsible Sourcing Manager Robyn Ormerod. Looking beyond modern slavery Focus on the textiles sector opened the next session with a presentation from TSA’s Sarah Furnell on the recently established TSA Textile Recovery Facility in Queensland, highlighting the importance that we can do more than recycling. The conversation continued with a panel led by Robyn, featuring representatives from our valued clothing and textile suppliers and support organisation from the textiles sector including Leanne Corcoran (Workwear Group), Angela Bell (Ethical Clothing Australia), Andrew Rankin (Accommodation Linen and Nguyet Nguyen Timber, Furnishing & Textiles Union – TFTU), which explored why responsible sourcing extends beyond identifying modern slavery risks and looking a little further for risks. Panellists discussed the importance of visibility throughout supply chains, including the role of announced and unannounced audits. Importantly, they also highlighted that responsible sourcing starts with listening to workers themselves – understanding their experiences and working to ensure their rights and wellbeing are protected. Working together for an ethical and greener future The forum concluded with Robyn joined by valued TSA suppliers Lisa Forsyth (Custom Fleet), Tim Su (AGL), and subject experts Fiona David (Fair Futures), and Ramila Chanisheff (AUTWA) for a discussion about the intersection between modern slavery and environmental sustainability. Solar energy was one example discussed, highlighting the importance of looking beyond the environmental benefits of a product to understand its entire supply chain and identify potential modern slavery risks. The responsible futures panel challenged attendees to consider how efforts to build a greener future can create new responsible sourcing considerations. It was a fitting conclusion to a day centred on one clear message: responsible sourcing is not something organisations can achieve alone. “By asking questions, increasing visibility and listening to the people within supply chains, [The Salvation Army] and our suppliers are continuing to work towards establishing supply chains that are more transparent, sustainable and socially responsible,” explained Ian Girvan, General Manager Strategic Sourcing and Procurement. Want to know more? Learn more about The Salvation Army’s approach to responsible sourcing by reading our Modern Slavery Statement. (From left) Robyn Ormerod (Responsible Sourcing Manager), Danka Popovic (Procurement Manager) and Kasia Paulus (Client Services Director from @GROUP with Shieldy.

Retired officers play an integral role in the mission and ministry of The Salvation Army for many years after their active officership has ended. Most continue to be involved in meaningful ways in their local corps and community, drawing on experience gained over decades of service. Salvos Online today features retired Lieut-Colonels Frank and Yvonne Daniels. Lieut-Colonels Frank and Yvonne Daniels retired from active officership in 2012. 1. Which corps do you both currently attend, and how are you involved? After 20 years as soldiers of Melbourne 614, we returned to the Camberwell Corps at the beginning of 2026. We are involved in a Bible study group. 2. When did you both attend training college, and what was your sessional name? Did you like that name (why or why not)? Frank: I was a member of the Witnesses to the Faith session – 1966-1968. The sessional name has become more special over the years as it has united the members of the session together. Yvonne: I was a member of the Victorious session – 1970-1972. I’m very happy with the sessional name. 3. Looking back on your years as active officers, was there a particularly memorable appointment, and why? Frank: This is a hard question as there were many. Yvonne: Divisional Guard Organiser, South Australia – 1984-1987. A great era in South Australia, particularly in youth and children’s ministry. We attended the Unley Corps, which was very special for me and our children as Frank was visiting other corps throughout the division in his role as Divisional Youth Secretary. After over 30 years of varied appointments, I was able to regain my nursing registration, and from 2005 to 2012 was appointed as a home-based detox coordinator for people suffering drug and alcohol addiction. 4. Is there a specific Bible verse or passage, or even a song, that has anchored your spiritual lives over the years, and if so, why? Frank: 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.’ I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me. I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” I have proved the truth of these words over and over again. Yvonne: Song 25: ‘God’s love to me is wonderful’ – first song I heard when I first attended the Army as a teenager. 5. If you were speaking to a young Salvationist who asked whether you would recommend officership, what would you say? Both of us would say: Be assured of your calling, seek to know God deeply, love Him intimately and follow Him closely. APPOINTMENT HISTORIES To view Frank’s appointment history, click here To view Yvonne’s appointment history, click here

Richard Wingrove is The Salvation Army’s General Manager of Operations Specialist Programs for Employment Plus. He says the Inclusive Employment Australia program has been a great success, helping people with complex barriers secure rewarding employment. The numbers tell a powerful story. Six thousand people on the caseload. A program that grew fourfold in a single day. A team of about 150 staff. Since launching in November last year, The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) specialist program has become a powerful driver of change, helping people whose disability, injury or illness is affecting their capacity to work find sustainable employment. In her ongoing series on Employment Plus, Salvos Online journalist LERISSE SMITH spoke with Richard Wingrove, General Manager of Operations Specialist Programs, about why building a positive, inclusive culture is central to creating life-changing employment pathways. “They’re the heroes ... we’re privileged to walk alongside them on their employment journey.” For Richard Wingrove, who leads Employment Plus’ Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) and other specialist programs, those words capture the heart of the program that has grown into the largest in his portfolio, a specialist disability employment program centred on possibility, inclusion, self-belief, determination – and transformation. “The transformation happens with the person by the person,” he says. “It’s a big success for us to grow so much in a competitive process. Our caseload grew from 1500 to 6000 when we transitioned from the previous program to IEA – an outstanding tender result which shows that the government (Department of Social Services) trusts The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus as a high-quality provider of (specialist) employment services.” The program’s geographic footprint spans multiple communities across Australia, including northern Tasmania, metropolitan Melbourne, northern and western Sydney, the Hunter, and Brisbane’s southern suburbs. At its core, the IEA program aims to support people living with disability, injury or illness to secure sustainable employment. Participants can be as young as 16, with the majority coming from older age groups. Rarely is the road back into work a straight path. People in the program typically manage complex lives. On average, an IEA participant will face eight barriers. A person may enter the program because of a mental health condition, a musculoskeletal issue, or another disability, but often other challenges are also present. Alongside disability, injury or illness, many participants face additional challenges that can make finding work even harder, including insecure housing, long-term unemployment, or low educational attainment. “These are people who have a lot going against them in terms of a competitive jobs market with every job a competition,” Richard says. “You’re always competing against other candidates.” This is where Employment Plus’ employer relationships play a critical role in creating opportunities and opening pathways to work, he adds. “It’s a really important part of our service because employers can carry significant uncertainty or concern around someone who declares that they have a disability,” reflects Richard. “It might be that they want to help that person, that their heart says, oh, I really feel like giving this guy a chance. But then concerns can arise, such as ‘Will I say the wrong thing?’, ‘How will my existing staff respond?’ or concerns about attendance or a future Workcover claim. And so, a lot of the work that we’re doing is to help employers feel comfortable and know that they will be supported when employing someone who has a disability of some sort. “That includes working with the employer around an adjustment that might be necessary to a role to help make the candidate we’re proposing for them flourish in that role.” An example of an adjustment might be a sit-stand desk or flexibility in attendance and working hours where prolonged sitting is problematic. “Our strategy is to say, ‘You’ve got a business with workforce needs, and we’ve got a great solution for you,” the General Manager explains. “We will then say the solution needs some accommodations – for example, a lady with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) who has had all this experience and particularly excited about this role because it’s an organisation that has these values or does these things.” The impact can often extend beyond the job itself to workplace culture. Richard explains that when a person with a disability joins a team, it can change the way people think about inclusion. “Employers often tell us that employing someone with a disability has positively changed the tone of their workplace,” he says. “It shows colleagues that someone with a different set of needs can be accommodated and make a meaningful contribution. A big part is advocating to the employer and negotiating differences, but also marketing that candidate based on their unique qualities.” Beyond the immediate outcome of securing a role, employment can be a foundation for a more secure future helping IEA clients keep a home, create stability, and prevent further difficulties. (Image: Vitaly Gariev – Unsplash) A strong focus is centred on creating workplaces where people are valued for their skills, experience, and the contribution each person brings. And beyond the immediate outcome of securing a role, employment can lay the foundation for a more secure future, helping IEA clients keep a home, build stability, and avoid further difficulties. “It’s like an early intervention – a stitch in time and saving nine,” Richard explains. “It’s such a positive space to work in because we see how employment can contribute to mitigating other problems such as addictions, family violence and homelessness.” The program’s growing impact is reflected in the number of people finding a pathway back into work, with between 40 and 50 per cent of those who flow through the service securing employment over the year. Beyond the numbers, the program’s achievements are also reflected in the voices and experiences of participants. Its participant Advisory Group and fortnightly surveys provide positive feedback and help the team refine its service approach. For the General Manager, positive client feedback reinforces that his work is more than just a role; it’s a purpose-driven mission. “As we all know, The Salvation Army is all about changing lives with the love of Jesus,” he says. “Through this program, we can deliver on this vision by helping people with complex barriers secure rewarding employment. For me, it’s the ‘life in abundance’ of John 10:10.” For more information on IEA, click here Click on the links below to read the stories of three Employment Plus success stories: Jeff overcomes barriers James stays the course Frankie finds the right fit

The IEA program focuses on creating workplaces where people are valued for their skills, experience, and the contribution each person brings. One participant, Jeff, was offered employment at Multiquip Poultry as a Live Bird Catcher. (Image: Anil Sharma – Unsplash) BY LERISSE SMITH When Jeff walked through the doors of The Salvation Army Employment Plus in May 2025, he was carrying a heavy load. That load included depression, concentration difficulties, a suspended licence, a history of drug dependency, pending legal action, and the knowledge that face tattoos would close doors before he even opened his mouth. What he also carried, though, was experience. He'd worked in a chicken factory before and had enjoyed it. From the very first appointments, his Employment Consultant sat down with Jeff to understand his past and goals. Together, they identified the barriers he faced and built a plan with one clear target: getting Jeff back into poultry work. His resume was updated to reflect his skills and experience, and his consultant worked with him to build the confidence to apply and prepare for interviews. That work paid off. Jeff found the courage to apply for roles himself and secured an interview at the Steggles factory in Beresfield. He was successful. Four days after the interview, he started work. To ensure nothing stood in the way of that first day, his Employment Consultant arranged funding for work boots and suitable clothing, so Jeff could walk straight onto the floor without delay. The results speak for themselves. Jeff loves the role. In his own words, the work helps him stay positive, focus on his family, and bring structure back into his life. On 1 June 2026, Jeff was offered employment at Multiquip Poultry as a Live Bird Catcher. Funding was again provided for his uniform, enabling him to start without hesitation. Richard says in just over 12 months, Jeff went from facing multiple compounding barriers to holding down employment in a role he finds meaningful, a direct result of a plan built around his strengths, not his setbacks.

Since launching in November last year, The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) specialist program has become a powerful driver of change helping people whose disability, injury or illness is impacting their capacity to work find sustainable employment. (Image: Nathan Anderson – Unsplash) BY LERISSE SMITH When James commenced with Employment Plus in 2025, he was living with cerebral palsy and managing anxiety around workplace discussions, alongside communication and physical barriers at work. He had found his own role as a Tribunal Officer in the government industry, starting on 26 January, which was a significant achievement in itself. Shortly after starting, a workplace incident put his job at risk. A colleague complained to the manager that James had asked overly personal questions. When the manager raised this, James became defensive and angry, and demanded to know who had made the complaint. Fearing he was about to lose his job, the situation quickly escalated. His Employment Consultant (EC) stepped in. The EC spoke directly with the manager, who confirmed the meeting was routine, focused on available supports and team boundaries, not a disciplinary matter. With this clarity, the EC coached James on how to approach the meeting constructively: what questions to ask, how to listen without jumping to conclusions, how to be mindful of colleagues' personal space and team dynamics, and how not to take workplace feedback personally. James attended the meeting, heard the manager out, and kept his job. He remains employed today. Richard says his employer is considerate of his barriers and committed to working with him to ensure a positive experience at work.

The IEA program aims to support people living with disability, injury, or illness into sustainable employment. Participants can be as young as 16, with the greater proportion of participants coming from older age groups. (Image: Linkedin Sales Solutions – Unsplash) BY LERISSE SMITH When Frankie joined Employment Plus in February 2026, she brought years of professional experience, but also a familiar frustration: employers saw her conditions before they saw her skills. Living with Fibromyalgia, chronic pain, hip dysplasia, anxiety, and depression, Frankie needed a workplace that offered flexibility, regular breaks, and the option to work from home. Previous employers had labelled her a problem rather than an asset. Her Employment Consultant (EC) started with the discovery phase, digging into Frankie’s strengths and employment history. What they found was a highly skilled professional whose needs simply hadn’t been met. The EC brought in their area recruiter, who had a contact at a local IT company. Within the first month of joining the (IEA) program, an interview was organised. Before the interview, the team sourced appropriate interview clothing so Frankie could walk in feeling prepared. The EC also spoke directly with the employer, outlining Frankie’s capabilities alongside her support requirements. The employer’s response was direct: they created a role specifically for her, recognising the value she would bring to the team. To support Frankie on the job, Employment Plus provided a sit/stand desk, allowing her to manage her hip pain while working comfortably on her laptop. A wage subsidy was also arranged to support the employer through the early stages of the placement. Frankie began working at Surashka Pty Ltd as a Social Media Assistant within the IT department. She has since hit her employment milestones and remains in the role today.

Major Jeff Josephson manages the doughnut shop in Hoonah, Alaska, with the support of his team. Salvos Online’s Fay Foster visited Hoonah on a recent visit to Alaska and spoke with Major Jeff Josephson for today’s Global Focus report. On Chichagof Island in Alaska lies the town of Hoonah, population 962. Accessible only by air or sea, Hoonah is a popular destination for tourists, who arrive on the many cruise ships that dock around the corner at Icy Strait Point. During the summer, Hoonah is alive with workers and tourists. But in the winter, the weather is so severe that no one can go to work. The cruise boats don’t come, and all the businesses shut down. Hoonah is located in an island chain in Alaska’s south, about 1250km north of the Canadian city of Vancouver. The cost of utilities goes up as people try to heat their homes. From October to April, the whole population of Hoonah survives on unemployment benefits. During these freezing months, the help and care of the Salvos is essential to the people of Hoonah, many of whom are isolated and find it difficult to afford food and other essentials. As money earned during the summer runs low, the Salvos provide food boxes and rental assistance to residents. During the warmer months, the Salvos raise these needed funds by operating a tiny doughnut shop, Lil’ Gen’s, selling mini doughnuts covered in flavoured sugar. Thirty-six flavours are available, including cinnamon, maple-bacon, huckleberry, salted caramel, birthday cake, apple pie, pumpkin pie, lemon, peach-mango and coco-berry (coconut and blueberry). The doughnuts are sold in packs of six or 12 and are immensely popular with visitors. The shop also sells coffee, hot cocoa, and a few cold drinks. Funds raised from selling the popular doughnuts in the northern summer, predominantly to tourists, provide an essential lifeline to local residents during the long winter months. The doughnut shop has been in operation since 2016 and, since 2019, has been managed by Salvation Army officer Major Jeff Josephson with the help of dedicated part-time workers, who each work two days a week. Jeff shares that he and his team are also able to pray for and with many of the tourists. When the shop shuts its doors for the winter, the intensive work of winter caring for local individuals and families begins. The Salvation Army USA Western Territory’s Caring Magazine profiled Majors Jeff and Michelle Josephson (then Captains) and their faith story and ministry in these two reports: READ MORE: From addiction to faithful servants READ MORE: Doughnut hut a don’t-miss destination

Three members of the Blacktown City Corps Band provided a musical introduction to the official opening of the Community Pantry at the Sydney corps on 15 October. BY DEAN SIMPSON Blacktown City Salvation Army in Sydney’s west opened a new Community Food Pantry in response to unprecedented demand from local people needing support because of cost-of-living pressures. The official opening took place on Thursday 15 October during Anti-Poverty Week. Major Paul Moulds, from Greater West Salvos, said it is particularly appropriate to open this new service during Anti-Poverty Week, when we are reminded that many people in the “lucky country” are finding it increasingly difficult to make their household income stretch. Paul explained that more people were approaching Blacktown City Salvos for help each week. “After paying for housing, utilities, transport and other essential expenses, sometimes there simply isn’t enough left for food,” he said. (From left) Blacktown Councillor Susai Benjamin, Blacktown Salvo Doug Hardy and Major Paul Moulds at the opening of the Community Pantry. Paul also described how “the impact of poverty prevents individuals and families being able to participate in community activities, increases unsustainable debt, and forces people to delay paying bills or undertaking essential medical or dental treatment. “The Salvation Army is already providing essential food and practical support to hundreds of desperate people across Western Sydney every week, and by opening this new service in Blacktown, we hope to be able to increase this support by providing the local community access to a wide range of essential food and other products at prices much cheaper than the supermarket charges, with bread, fruit, and vegies free of any cost.” Blacktown Councillor Susai Benjamin cuts the ribbon at the entrance to the Community Pantry. The aim of the Community Pantry, Paul says, is to reduce cost-of-living pressures by dramatically lowering weekly grocery bills, giving people more income to spend on their families and invest in their dreams. A section of the existing Blacktown City Corps building has been converted into space for the pantry. Paul acknowledged support from local businesses Sargents Pies, which financially supported this new venture and Food Rescue Partners Foodbank, Oz Harvest, Second Bite and Aldi, whose weekly food donations and support make this service possible. He also paid tribute to the “army of local volunteers” who support this initiative by picking up donations, sorting the food, stacking the shelves and operating the Pantry. Another aim of the Community Pantry is to connect customers with other services that can holistically assist them. The Community Pantry will be open three days a week. “We find as we serve people on the frontline with food and other vital life necessities, that many of these contacts and conversations become doors to help people with multiple other problems, and link them to great local services for support,” Paul said. “We want to ensure that people experiencing hardship know they do not have to face those challenges alone.” Blacktown Councillor Susai Benjamin OAM officially opened the new service and highlighted the Council’s support for initiatives such as this that strengthen local communities and assist individuals facing challenging circumstances. The Salvation Army’ Moneycare set up a table for people who wanted to find out more about the free financial counselling service. A sausage sizzle was also available on the day. The Community Pantry is located at 2 Kempsey Street, Blacktown and will initially open three days a week – Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, between 10am and 2.30pm. Click through the slideshow below to view more photos of the Community Pantry official opening: