About Downtown East Community Church

A welcoming place for faith and community.

Who we are

Downtown East Community Church is a local ministry of The Salvation Army serving Toronto’s Downtown East neighbourhood. Located at 160 Jarvis St, our centre is both a community church and a Community Services hub, welcoming people from Moss Park, Regent Park, Cabbagetown and beyond. 

Our mission is rooted in being a transformational influence in the lives of individuals and families offering spiritual care, education, fellowship, and practical support in a spirit of compassion and dignity. 

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Each of these ministries faithfully served their neighbourhoods through worship, outreach, and compassionate care. Their shared history and legacy continue to shape who we are today.

Today, our ministry is centred at 160 Jarvis Street inside the Harbourlight building, where we carry forward this combined legacy as one unified church and Community Services centre. From this location, we serve individuals and families across Moss Park, Regent Park, Cabbagetown, and the surrounding Downtown East communities.

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Curabitur laoreet lectus eu sem ultrices posuere. Etiam varius ultrices turpis, vitae commodo massa consectetur.

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Duis velit urna, eleifend vel ante non, tristique ullamcorper eros. Quisque dictum, ligula eget tincidunt lobortis, eros elit ultrices ante, at fermentum orci velit quis ligula. Etiam molestie pharetra nibh eu dignissim. Etiam pharetra ut diam vel eleifend.
Curabitur laoreet lectus eu sem ultrices posuere. Etiam varius ultrices turpis, vitae commodo massa consectetur.

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Duis velit urna, eleifend vel ante non, tristique ullamcorper eros. Quisque dictum, ligula eget tincidunt lobortis, eros elit ultrices ante, at fermentum orci velit quis ligula. Etiam molestie pharetra nibh eu dignissim. Etiam pharetra ut diam vel eleifend.
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We support our community by bringing

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Hope
We bring hope by providing compassionate physical, emotional, and spiritual care. We walk alongside individuals and families, supporting them through life’s challenges and celebrating their growth and resilience.
Pathways to success
We create meaningful growth opportunities for youth and adults. Through mentorship, guidance, and practical support, we journey with them as they pursue their goals and build brighter futures.
Spiritual care
We nurture spiritual well-being as an essential part of holistic health. By fostering reflection, faith, and inner strength, we support individuals in discovering purpose and personal renewal.
Community
We believe in the power of strong, healthy, and sustainable communities. By promoting safety, inclusion, and collaboration, we help build environments where everyone can thrive.
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Curabitur laoreet lectus eu sem ultrices posuere. Etiam varius ultrices turpis, vitae commodo massa consectetur.

Titre de section

Duis velit urna, eleifend vel ante non, tristique ullamcorper eros. Quisque dictum, ligula eget tincidunt lobortis, eros elit ultrices ante, at fermentum orci velit quis ligula. Etiam molestie pharetra nibh eu dignissim. Etiam pharetra ut diam vel eleifend.
Curabitur laoreet lectus eu sem ultrices posuere. Etiam varius ultrices turpis, vitae commodo massa consectetur.

Titre de section

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Meet our team 

Amanda Thompson
Corps Officer

Amanda was born and raised in Peterborough, ON. She moved to BC in her young adult years to be close to, and marry, the love of her life, Jeremy. Since summer of 2021, Amanda and Jeremy bring leadership to The Salvation Army Downtown East Community Church.

Amanda brings experience as a psychology major, residential worker and now pastor to the Downtown of Toronto. She excels in one-on-one pastoral care conversations where she gives deeply of herself. Watch out though...Amanda is one fierce advocate when she sees injustice!

We are thrilled to have Amanda as part of the leadership in the downtown of Toronto.

Jeremy Thompson
Corps Officer

Jeremy is a BC boy who has fallen in love with the heart of Toronto. Born and raised in Port Alberni, BC Jeremy relocated to the Okanagan in his young adulthood, marrying the love of his life, Amanda. Jeremy brings a plethora of experience in working with people of various backgrounds, specifically in the Community Living and Employment sectors.

Even though he is a counseling major, Jeremy is an administrator at heart, who welcomes people from all backgrounds. With his wife, Amanda, Jeremy has provided leadership to Downtown East Community Church since the Summer of 2021, directly after being commissioned and ordained as a Salvation Army Officer/Pastor. He loves teaching from the Bible, ever trying to reduce barriers for people to understand Gods word.

Lola Lawson
Community Integration Manager

With a people-centred approach, Lola Lawson seeks to bring harmony, productivity and collaboration to the team. Lola holds a Social Service Worker Diploma along with Harvard Business certification in Leadership training and a background in staff management.

She has a passion for serving others and is driven by faith. As a Jamaican citizen, Lola enjoys travelling to her home country and loves to have her food, which is the Jamaican national dish – Ackee and Salt-Fish with dumplings.

While bringing enthusiasm and insight to staff meetings, Lola desires to bring change and evolution that is influenced by the growth and development of the Downtown East team.

Vivian Richard
Pathway of Hope Caseworker

Richard is originally from Chennai and is now embracing 'The Great White North'. He holds a master's degree in social work.

By day, he focuses on community initiatives, embracing a philosophy of mutual growth by learning alongside his clients and drawing inspiration from their stories and resilience, while striving through compassionate action to create environments where everyone can thrive, and by night, he enjoys playing badminton and watching cricket.

He believes that Canada’s natural beauty and friendly people make life here amazing. When he’s not relaxing to his favorite tracks,he’s busy exploring Canadian heritage.

Syeda Akhter
Administrative Coordinator

Syeda hails from Bangladesh, a picturesque country in South Asia known for its lush greenery and numerous waterways. With a robust career spanning finance and customer service, she holds a postgraduate degree in Human Resource Management (HRM). This academic background has afforded her the privilege of working closely with both management and employees, seamlessly blending management and finance to confidently manage projects and serve the community.

She enjoys Mediterranean and Indian-Chinese cuisine, and loves cooking and offering hospitality with love and a smile to those around her. As a people person, she thrives on interacting with clients, listening attentively to their needs, and serving them with passion. Her love for nature fuels her interests in hiking, camping, and gardening. She enjoys exploring new places and embracing different cultures, finding joy in the diversity of Canada.

Suyi Wong
Program Coordinator

Suyi was born in Hong Kong and completed her education with a Bachelor of Social Science in Social Work. Her career has been shaped by her passion for helping people, having worked as a social worker where she assisted clients in navigating life’s challenges and achieving their goals. She also worked in a café, where she developed a love for coffee and latte art.

Suyi is drawn to the comfort of home and creativity. Artistry is her passion, and she loves spending her free time on creative projects—whether it’s designing latte art, exploring new recipes, or engaging in various artistic activities. Whether it’s crafting or making the perfect cup of coffee, She’s always exploring new ways to express her creativity.

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Children and Youth Worker

Kanga has worked with The Salvation Army for over 15 years in the Downtown East of Toronto. She has a timeless passion for the kids in this neighbourhood, and strives to bring them the love and teaching of Jesus.

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