History & Functioning

THE SALVATION ARMY AND DINSDALE PERSONAL CARE HOME

In it’s 33rd  year as Dinsdale Personal Care Home, it is recognized that The Salvation Army has had an extended history regarding the provision of services to the area, with care to seniors representing only a portion of these services. The Salvation Army is typically situated in the “core” areas of each city or town in which they operate and are renowned to seek development of services that few others will prioritize, as evidenced by the wide breath of services offered by the Salvation Army world-wide. The Salvation Army is also typically the first on the front line of any disaster.

A painting of the stone mansion that was built by Mr. James Sutherland that is now known today as Dinsdale Personal Care Home On August 31st, 1882 the land that Dinsdale currently occupies was purchased by Mr. James Sutherland who built an impressive stone “mansion” on the site. Originally, the site encompassed the entire city block.

Over the next 45 years, the home changed hands 14 times until it was purchased by The Salvation Army on May 11th, 1921. Seeing the need, The Salvation Army developed a home for children (an orphanage), which it called the Eventide Home.  In 1926, the home was converted to care of 25 men from the “street” who had nowhere else to go. The Home was then converted to a co-ed seniors care facility (an Aged Home) in September 1968.

Additionally, in 1956 a home located at 1320 Princess Street was donated to the Salvation Army. This too was converted to provide care to the elders of Brandon and area and came to be known as the Booth-Bullock Center. The center provided care to 25 residents.

Beginning in 1980, The Salvation Army began advocating for a new facility to replace the two old and dilapidated homes they operated.  On September 17th , 1981 the then Minister of Health announced funding for the new home – however this was overturned with a change in government shortly thereafter. With ongoing advocacy by The Salvation Army, funding was eventually assured with the new government and the project commenced again.  Eventide Home (pictured above) was demolished on May 23rd , 1984 and construction began on the PCH shortly thereafter.

Dinsdale Personal Care Home is named for two long-term Salvationists and political activists; Walter Dinsdale, who was an MP for the area for 31 years, as well as George Dinsdale, who was Walter’s father. George was Mayor of Brandon and a local MLA.

 

THE SALVATION ARMY ACCOUNTABILITY MOVEMENT

Internationally, at the direction of General André Cox, The Salvation Army is currently moving to implement an organization-wide Accountability movement to further ensure that all activities of The Salvation Army “measure up” to their own standards as well as to global scrutiny.

It is noted that many of the issues addressed in the accountability framework are the same issues involved with Dinsdale Personal Care Home’s functioning that are already addressed routinely with other accountability measures such as Manitoba Health Standards Review, Accreditation Canada Review and Salvation Army Accreditation Review. They are interrelated, as should be the case.

The Salvation Army accountability movement is built on four pillars:

  1. Governance: To ensure a governance structure, at all levels of The Salvation Army, that is fit for its God-given purpose in the 21st century.
  2. Impact Measurement: To increase transformative change in all Salvation Army work with people and communities through measurement and learning. This will be achieved by improving the quality and effectiveness of Salvation Army programs around the world by measuring progress toward a shared purpose, using a unifying framework for results measurement and learning.
  3. Finance: To monitor, review, upgrade and enhance worldwide Salvation Army financial systems to develop sector-leading practice, ensure wide-ranging stakeholder accountability, facilitate capacity building of finance personnel and enable funding for purpose.
  4. Safeguarding: To affirm and protect the dignity and worth of every individual The Salvation Army cares for whatever his or her personal, cultural, religious or socio-economic circumstances or age.

The accountability framework includes five key elements;

  1. People: The Mission Accountability Framework asks: “How are the relationships?”
  2. Passion:  At the center of the Mission Accountability Framework, is the idea of passion and spirit.
  3. Purpose:  We need to check that we are clear about our purpose – what are we trying to achieve
  4. Plan:  We need to have a plan to achieve our purpose, and it must include specific outcomes and not just a list of activities and programs.
  5. Progress: As we travel towards our common purpose we need to track our progress and learn from our experience.

 

The Salvation Army Accountability Framework (2016)

MISSION STATEMENT OF DINSDALE

 

 

 

VISION STATEMENT (derived from the statement developed in 2010)

For those in our care as well as those providing care, Dinsdale Personal Care Home will strive for;

 

INTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS AND COMMITTEES

 

EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS AND COMMITTEES