Growing up with a father and mother, both pastors of a Salvation Army church, Alice
learnt about empathy early and was destined to helping the less fortunate.
learnt about empathy early and was destined to helping the less fortunate.
While other little girls were playing with dolls and jumping ropes, little Alice Ludiazo Nsona was volunteering at her parents’ church in her homeland of Africa. Growing up with a father and mother, both pastors of a Salvation Army church, Alice learnt early about empathy and was destined to be involved in helping the less fortunate.
At age twelve, Alice was reading the bible at bible study, singing in the choir and baking goodies for the church along side her family. As a child, she and her brothers and sisters moved around quite a bit because of their parents’ commitment to the Salvation Army and to the people they helped which explains her passion for helping others. After graduating from high school, she attended college where she obtained a Business Administration degree and met her husband, Alain S. Luasu. Alice and her husband have been pastors at The Salvation Army Yorkwoods Community Church in the Jane and Finch community since 2006. “When I informed my friends that I would be working in this area of the city, they warned me that it was a bad place to work,” she stated. “Prior to taking the position as Spiritual Care Pastor and Family Services Director, I took the opportunity to visit the neighbourhood and was impressed with the pleasant people after such negative comments. The neighbourhood is multi-cultural and family-oriented and quite safe,” Alice continued. “I think it was more difficult at first, especially with the young children, but now I look forward to coming here because I realize I can do something to help.”
When asked how she manages to separate the despair and poverty in the community from her personal life, she answered, “It’s very hard to witness so many people coming in for food and hearing their stories but knowing that I’m making a difference in their lives is a good feeling.” She continued, “I think it was more difficult at first, especially with the young children, but now I look forward to coming here because I realize I can do something to help the community.”
Alice and her husband are parents to one son and two daughters and she still finds time to continue her education to obtain her masters in Divinity in Counselling at a Christian university and is in her office Monday to Friday serving the community. Every Sunday morning at 10 o’clock, the family can be found at the Yorkwoods Community Church welcoming everyone, regardless of race, nationality or background. Along with the demanding food bank, the community also takes advantage of other services which include Ladies Night; an after school program called KidZone; a clothing bank; counselling and immigration referrals; ABC program which distributes lunches to area schools; and the annual Christmas program which distributes gifts to youth from newborn to eighteen years of age.
She proudly added, “Last year we distributed over one thousand toys to community youth.”
Her prominent friendly smile is apparent that Alice enjoys helping people and it is obvious that she is appreciated through the hugs and respect she receives from the grateful clients. She can’t imagine leaving the Jane and Finch neighbourhood anytime soon and looks forward to doing more to help the community. The Salvation Army Yorkwoods Community Church is located at 20 Yorkwoods Gate and Pastor Alice can be reached at 416-631-7222, ext. 103.
THIS IS A RE-POST FROM COMMUNITY HEROS
