The men of The BRIDGE Prison Ministry often talk about community and accountability. Don told me that the first step to becoming a community in which members are accountable to one another is talking about values. “School didn’t teach me anything about values but here we talk about values all the time. We talk about difficult things like guilt, shame and hardship in connection with others who have the same experience. I learned that change is a choice and that awareness of who I am and how my actions affect the others around me is a great agent for change. The BRIDGE helps me stay on track.” Don has a hope that, in the future, successful reintegration programs like The BRIDGE will be able to “change the minds of the media and the justice system. We are people, too.” For more information about The BRIDGE and its community reintegration programs, please visit their website.

One of the greatest challenges to people who are homeless or at risk of losing their home is the lack of healthy and nutritious food to eat. I recently spoke to Ann Watson, Program Manager of North House Transitional Housing. “North House is known throughout North Durham Region as a provider of transitional housing, rent supplements and wrap-around support for people who are under-housed in Uxbridge, Brock and Scugog townships. We quickly came to realize that not only do our clients need a stable place to live, food security is also a major issue for them. In response, we’ve developed partnerships with churches and community organizations to provide healthy food options to people in need in our communities. We offer a weekly community lunch program that provides delicious home-made soups and desserts on a pay-what-you-can basis. Our Garden of Eatin’ community garden includes 12 individual plots and one community plot where we raise food for the Loaves and Fishes Food Bank. We’ve also developed a social enterprise, North House Catering, which offers seasonally-inspired, healthy and home-cooked meals at an affordable price.” Continue reading “Garden of Eatin’ Volunteers – North House” →

When Hajar became a Canadian citizen two years ago, the immigration judge told her that it was her job to help others. She took these words to heart and became a volunteer at Flemingdon Park Ministry. Hajar’s friend, Mary, served as a translator for our conversation. Mary explained that Hajar is learning English, slowly but surely, but still needs help and would very much like to take a conversation course. “I am thankful for all of the help that I receive from the women’s group. I would like to have a conversation class so that my English will get better.” Hajar’s faith in God gives her hope for the future. “I am happy when I am helping people. My God helps me to help the people.” Hajar has a large family here in Canada. Her wish is that they will all be together.

Asghar enjoys coming to Flemingdon Park Ministry because the interaction with the staff, volunteers and guests is helping him to learn English. “I can go to the doctor by myself, without a translator!” Asghar’s sense of pride in his accomplishment is undeniable, yet he is a humble man. “My son was living in Canada and he was very sick. My wife and I came to help him. Now that he is better, he is busy with his own life, so my wife and I are alone. We are old and we want to return to our own country, but that is now out of the question.”

He misses friends and family that he left behind when he immigrated to Canada from Iran, but he has found a new family at Flemingdon Park Ministry. “Helena (The Rev. Helena Houldcroft) is my sister. When I talk to her she listens and helps me. The people here are my family. I pray for them every day and also for all of the people who come here. I ask God to help the people and to bless them.” Asghar has just one wish: “Peace for all the world.”

Nadia moved to Canada from her native Iran sixteen years ago. As a stay-at-home mom, Nadia’s days were busy and that helped to ease some of the loneliness that she felt being separated from her parents and brothers back home. Now that her two daughters grown, Nadia decided it was time to get a work. But with no Canadian work experience, she had no idea where to begin. That’s where Flemingdon Park Ministry and its STAR (Skills Training, Access and Resources) program came in. She has been learning new skills and building her resume through volunteer work at the ministry. Helping others gives Nadia great joy.

She told me, “God is helping everybody. I know he is watching me and helping me to help others.”Nadia is hopeful for the future. “My faith gives me courage. My kids give me hope. They attend French school and I am grateful that this will help them to have a better life.” Nadia was finally reunited with her parents and her brothers two years ago when the family immigrated to Canada. Her New Year wish is for “health and happiness, to have my family around me, and to enjoy our time together.”