By Rachelle Alcazaren, Outreach Worker in Kingston-Galloway
In the last two weeks at Toronto City Mission, we have decided to cancel our March Break Camp as well as our after school programs indefinitely. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada, and most of the world, have been plunged into a state of shock, fear and uncertainty for the future.
It’s easy to become uneasy during this time. A new and unknown virus is spreading throughout the world at an alarming rate, and most of the world is currently confined to their own homes. People are spreading false information, and essential supplies are emptied out on the shelves at grocery stores. People are fearful of each other. We aren’t allowed to be within two metres of one another, and suddenly, hugs and high fives are frowned upon.
So–what does this mean for the community? For our city? It’s easy to become fearful of each other, but in this time of uncertainty, relationships with one another is more important than ever. This idea seems ridiculous considering our government telling us not to physically see each other. This makes it a hundred times harder to keep relationships going. But in times like these, we need each other.
It’s important to become creative in reaching out to one another. Some ways you can do this are to:
Video call your loved ones and ask them how they’re doing
Find ways to play online games with one another
Ask your loved ones if they need help with grocery shopping
Let people know that you are there if they need you
It’s time for us to step up as a community and build each other up instead of thinking only of ourselves.
I visited one of Kingston-Galloway’s families with one of my fellow Outreach Workers during the March Break, and we brought some groceries to another one of our families (we maintained social distancing practices as well). It was an illuminating experience because it made me realize that this coronavirus is not only affecting our physical bodies, but it is also affecting people’s abilities to provide for themselves and their families.
Because businesses are closed, people are not working. Children are not learning in school at the moment, and some parents who are still able to work at this time are struggling to balance work and childcare. Our camps and programs may be canceled, but that doesn’t mean we’ve stopped loving and helping our community at TCM. I’ve realized that no one can do this alone, and it is important that we as a community help those who need it.
In John 15:12-13, it says,
“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Jesus died on the cross for us because He loves us so much. And just as God loves us, in the same way, we are called to love one another. This doesn’t literally mean that we should also die for our friends, but it means that we are to care for one another–just like you would ask your spouse if they have eaten. In the same way, we should also care for the well-being of others and ask our friends if they have eaten.
“Do you have enough groceries for the week?”
“I know your job has temporarily laid you off due to the coronavirus, have you applied for EI?”
Or a simple,
“Do you need anything?”
Showing that you care goes a long way. It shows that instead of thinking only of ourselves, we are united as one.
Even though camp and programs have been canceled, my hope is that I will still be able to continue to serve the Kingston-Galloway community through TCM. I hope that the families in the community will be able to experience the love of Christ through the care that TCM shows to them, and that we would be able to show them that we are still around if they need us.