First Shift at Belkin House: A New Partnership in Action

On July 15, 2025, our Volunteer Ambassadors visited Belkin House for the very first time. This downtown Vancouver shelter, operated by The Salvation Army, provides emergency shelter and transitional housing to individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. It’s a place rooted in healing, hope, and restoration, offering clean, safe, and supportive accommodations for up to 224 residents.

This visit marked the beginning of an exciting new partnership between Captain Scott Legacy Society and Belkin House.

Our volunteers supported the kitchen and dining team, helping with:

• Preparing and assembling lunch and breakfast packages

• Serving hot meals to residents during lunch and dinner

• Assisting with light clean-up in shared spaces

Long-time volunteers and staff made our team feel right at home. The kitchen crew, many of whom have volunteered there for years, showed us the ropes and shared stories about their work. Throughout the day, residents brought so much heart to the experience with their kind words and friendly smiles.

After the shift, our group sat down together for a shared meal. Weekday volunteers were also offered a guided tour of the facility, giving us a deeper look at the everyday routines and services that support residents. One detail that stuck with many of us was learning how many residents make their own beds each morning and help keep the shelter clean. It is a small but powerful act of dignity and pride.

We left that day knowing this was just the start of something meaningful.

👉 Want to experience this for yourself? Join the Volunteer Ambassadors program and stay up to date on our next shelter shift.