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 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.

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.

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 pastries and explaining why cricket is more exciting than baseball.
Cheers to life!

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.

Grace was born and raised in Hong Kong and moved to Canada in 2023. After earning a Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Grace has dedicated over five years to the field of social services, specializing in career development for children, teenagers, and adults. Her valuable experience includes working with The Salvation Army in both Hong Kong and Canada. Currently, Grace is engaged in employment and life skills programs, namely Dreaming In Colour and TEAM Wellness. She firmly believes that with a growth mindset and effort, individuals can achieve their employment and life goals.

In her spare time, Grace finds joy in listening to lofi and pop music, practicing yoga, and creating expressive artwork. She also enjoys cooking and exploring tasty foods around the city, with a particular fondness for noodles, matcha, scones, and bagels.

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.

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.