This is part 2 of a series on the Prince George Salvation Army 

Prince George, B.C. – The Prince George Salvation Army has launched a unique program.

It’s called the Personal Development Plan, and Captain Neil Wilkinson says the goal it to help people realize their full potential.

“The goal is to journey with people and help to build the capacity that people have within themselves. People who have been generationally dependent on social assistance, sometimes fall into a fatalistic perspective and don’t realize they have the potential to become more than what they are.”

He says the program doesn’t offer magic solutions, just a gentle push in the right direction.

“Our goal is not to say we have the answers, here’s how you do it. Our goal is actually to build capacity with people and draw out the ability of individuals to be able to sustain themselves.”

Wilkinson says personal development often involves what many might consider baby steps.

“Some of our guests struggle with basic things like not having basic identification, so our personal development worker will make a plan to help they get say a care card. Then at the next meeting we’ll say okay, what’s some other small measurable goal that you can attain?”

Though the program only started in January, he says it’s already showing signs of success.

“We’re already hearing really, really wonderful results and more important than anything, people are having an opportunity to share their story.”

He says their one staff member devoted to the program (just one due to budget constraints) sees six to eight people a day, “and then spends the rest of her day following up with the people she’s already met with.”

Wilkinson sees the program as an investment in the community.

“My goal is to see six or eight meetings continue a day and that’s six or eight families that have had the opportunity to have somebody support them through a tough time.”