Transformation in Action - Spring 2009
Click Here to download a PDF copy of our Spring Update 2009
A Message from Our Executive Director
Moving forward with courage
Evangel Hall Mission has a long and rich history. We have existed in this community for over 90 years and have overcome adversity time and time again. Even in this extraordinary economic climate, trusting in God’s providence, we continue to offer spiritual and material comfort to the many impoverished and socially isolated persons who come to ehm.
Unfortunately we find ourselves in a time where families throughout the city are afraid of losing what they have worked so hard for and organizations that help them are threatened by loss of revenues. Hard times take a toll on everyone, especially so, when they feel powerless about the future. Lives become immersed in fear, which traps people and prevents them from doing what needs to be done to keep moving forward.
Feelings of hopelessness and the inability to manage their life independently has been a shattering reality for many participants, and is now becoming a reality for new people we are starting to see come through our doors. We have seen a 20% increase recently in people who need our help.
Staff at ehm always welcome newcomers with a sense of hope and a smile. It is our job to help people overcome their uncertainties by carefully listening to them, genuinely caring for them, being positive and encouraging them to bring constructive change into their lives.
It is our duty to lead and guide by example. After all, how can people trust us to lead them out of the darkness, if we ourselves are living in it? As Jesus said: “Therefore, I tell you do not worry about your life...Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them…Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life.” (Matthew 6:25, NIV)
This is why we continue to move forward in our mission with a positive outlook and continue to grow. We are not just a place where people come to get a meal, but a sanctuary of hope where people come to heal from the hardships they experience in a difficult world. Our faith in God and community continues to help us through our challenges, just as it has for over 90 years.
Please help us to continue our important work and help reassure residents and participants that with faith and trust all things are possible. With community a person can find healing and feel a sense of security and dignity. They feel a sense of belonging of being part of something which can never be brought down by any outside force, for there are three things that last – faith, hope and love.
Your support for the work of Evangel Hall Mission throughout the years has proven that community is not only a small building in the city, or your local church, but is the unity of all people who share in the vision of a new world without poverty or suffering. Please give today to help us share this sense of community with as many people as we can.
Joseph Taylor CAE
Volunteer Update
The next generation of ehm supporters
Evangel Hall Mission was honoured to welcome back Knox/St. Andrew Stratford Presbyterian youth group, for their second visit in two years.
16 youth and 6 adults lead by Peter and Bev Dougall made the trip from Stratford, Ontario with donations and a group of energetic and passionate young people who willingly gave up their Saturday to volunteer at the Hall.
During the planning stages of their visit, the youth inquired about urgently needed items they could provide for us. After a game plan was made, the group challenged both of their congregations to donate dental, food and clothing supplies. The youth also wanted to raise money for the Hall, so they hosted a soup luncheon, where all of the food was donated. Through their hard work they raised $1,380.00 which they presented to staff during their visit.
Once the youth arrived they went right to work, serving food, distributing sundries, sorting clothes and performing administrative tasks.
Evangel Hall Mission is thankful to the many youth groups who donate their weekends to help keep our programs running well. If your church or community has a youth group that would like to visit or volunteer at ehm please contact Paula Aceto 416-504-3563 x 231.
Compassionate Hearts
A Valentine of compassionate support
This past Valentine’s weekend, ehm held it’s first Compassionate Hearts gala dinner and fundraiser.
The night was a grand success, raising almost $14,000 to support our health and dental clinic. 120 people got dressed in their best to socialize and have a delicious dinner at the Old Mill Inn and Spa. The evening began with The Metis Fiddler Quartet, who set the festive mood which carried on until the end of the night. Other talent included Master of Cermonies, Global Television weather man Anthony Farnell, singer Peter McCutcheon, accompanied by Margaret Mikelait, who sang two moving and romantic songs before dinner, and Little Peter and the Elegants who closed the evening with a fine dose of fifties classics. The dance floor was packed.
Thank you to our fundraising committee who helped organize the evening: Susan Murray, Jane Pitfield, Myrna Talbot, Brian Malcom and David Davies. Your hard work made the night a great success!
Clinic Update
The Toronto College of Dental Hygiene & Auxiliaries
This upcoming April is Oral Health Month and we are proud to have our free dental clinic fully operational to serve our community’s dental needs.
Partnering with our vision, is The Toronto College of Dental Hygiene and Auxiliaries who’ve been involved with the clinic right from the beginning. Not only do they help to arrange donations of dental equipment, they help to ensure that people receive ongoing and excellent treatment for no charge. For many patients, this will be the first time they have visited a dentist in many years. Coordinator, Lila McIndoe says, “It is great to see how happy people are when they come for treatment. Not only are they receiving long-overdue dental care, but they are so happy that somebody cares. The social interaction and rapport makes it fun.
The clinic also provides students a rewarding education that transcends just dental hygiene. “They learn how to give back to the community,” says McIndoe, “and how to approach their patients with compassion and empathy.” The clinic creates a relaxed comfort level for patients who call ehm their home, or an extension of their homes.
Private practices sometimes shy away from low income or mentally ill patients. It is our job to make every patient leave the dental chair feeling good about themselves. The ehm clinic is known as a safe place where healing is the top priority.
Chapel Beautification
Every Sunday evening staff and participants are welcomed into the Glenview Chapel for worship service. While our chapel has always been warm and inviting, a recent donation has made it even more special. A beautiful antique pulpit was donated by Knox Presbyterian Church in Goderich, through congregation member Neil Nickles. The pulpit was one of the items rescued when the original Goderich church burned down in a fire. It was on display at the back of the new church and was then restored and donated to Evangel Hall Mission with a beautiful dedication service. Thank you.
ehm Partnerships
Ve’ahavta
One way that Evangel Hall Mission extends it outreach is through partnering with other service agencies. One of the agencies is Ve’ahavta, a Jewish charitable organization, motivated by values of Tzedakah (Justice) and ‘tikun olam’ (repairing the world). It assists needy persons at home and abroad. The Hebrew word “Ve-a-hav-ta” found in the The Old Testament means “and you should love.” (Leviticus 19:18) Traditionally translated, it means means “you should love your friend as you love yourself.” Ve’ahavta is Canada’s only Jewish humanitarian and relief organization.
The Mobile Jewish Response for the Homeless is one of the cornerstones of Ve’ahavta’s operations. Four times a week a van provides food, clothing, personal items and psychological support to homeless neighbors of all religions, creeds, colors, and races living on the streets of Toronto. The van outreach relies on the generous help and support of volunteers, without whom the program would not function.
Our affiliation with Ve’ahavta began in the fall of 2007 and we have been blessed to share mutual resources and desire to help those in need. Ve’ahavta receives food donations which it shares with ehm to prepare hearty soups for use in the ehm drop-in and Ve’ahavta’s street patrol. This is a great benefit to both agencies. This year Ve’ahavta has named Evangel Hall Mission at it’s ‘Partner of the Year’.
If you are interested in learning more about this program or volunteering, please contact Katie Stemeroff, at 416-964-7698, x 18 or visit the website at
www.veahavata.org.
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