By Rachelle Alcazaren, Kingston-Galloway | Outreach Worker
Toronto City Mission’s (TCM) Sonshine Day Camp is a program in the summer that allows children in the communities of Flemingdon Park and Kingston-Galloway to go to day camp for free. However, this past summer (2020) the pandemic altered plans and Outreach Workers had to find other ways to reach out to the children, youth and families of the community. In the community of Kingston-Galloway, Rachelle and her partner Carmen thought of ways to stay engaged. They thought of walk-by treat days where they and their TLCs (Youth Leaders) would set up a booth outside so that individuals in the community could pick up free freezies and popsicles on a hot day. Although the idea was exciting, Rachelle did not expect too much, however after the second treat day, that changed.
In the moments outside, little by little, they were able to connect with the community. Suddenly, families and individuals that they’ve never met in Kingston-Galloway started showing up and were engaging with Rachelle and Carmen. To one family, they shared why they continued to do outreach and their hearts for the families, like them, in the community. To an older gentleman, connecting with them was a moment of happiness in his day. Even though it was a small event that was done for the community, Rachelle realized that through this, there was an opportunity to share with Kingston-Galloway about what TCM does and why TCM continues to stay in the community. Many families still do not know that TCM exists or what TCM exactly does within their own neighbourhood. It was in that moment where Rachelle realized that God was really working during the walk-by treat days. Their hearts for the community and the vision of TCM to see families impacted by poverty lead transformed lives were shared. God taught Rachelle in these moments that His plan and His will are much greater than our own. Even if they were small or short conversations, they were able to plant seeds within the people of the Kingston-Galloway community.
As Outreach Workers in the heart of the Kingston-Galloway community, Rachelle feels that they have a privilege and a responsibility to plant and water these seeds, to spread the good news. She learned through this experience that this doesn’t necessarily mean that they go out and start preaching at people. That the experience of meeting people where they are at and having small yet powerful conversations with them can be impactful. In that moment you may not see the seeds blossom. It might not be powerful at the moment, but that is why they are called seeds. Seeds are incredibly small, but with the proper care it can grow into the biggest tree in the forest. While they plant and water these seeds, Rachelle is relieved to know that God is the one responsible for making them grow. God is certainly in control. He is the one that will work in the lives of the people and transform them in His own time and His own will. Through this experience Rachelle is excited to see what God has in store this upcoming year, and she invites you to join them in prayer as they continue to pray for the families within the Kingston-Galloway community.