Hayden's Testimony (TLC)

If you were to glance in on a day in Sonshine Day Camp, you might spot Hayden with the kids! She has been serving faithfully as a TLC (Teens Leading Community) in the past two years at TCM. She’s been part of programs since she was in grade 4, and currently attends Youth Extreme and volunteers with Sonshine Day Camp. When she is not volunteering, she often helps to bring her younger brother and sister to programs as well. 

Hayden cherishes the time she spends in programs and with the children. She really enjoys the atmosphere of camp, and she can see how the leaders truly love and want to serve God. She also models that well herself! Her faith has been growing steadily and she does not shy away from sharing the Gospel with those around her. The children enjoy spending time with Hayden, whether during swimming or sitting by her at Bible time. She’s especially kind and helpful to the younger kids, who often stay by her side. She enjoys seeing how the kids truly want to learn more about God, and are excited to be part of programs each day. When asked about her experience serving at Sonshine Day Camp, she says “I’ve seen that I’ve grown as a person...and I’ve just been seeing God change my whole perspective on life.” She hopes that she can continue to build relationships with the kids as the pandemic gets better! 

Timothy (TLC) Testimony

As a TLC (Teens Leading Community) Timothy volunteers his time with Toronto City Mission (TCM) during the summer and throughout the school year. His younger brother and sister currently attend the same TCM after school programs that he did since he was 6 years old. It’s been 7 years since then and he has now been a TLC for the past two summers. While the TLC program gives Timothy the chance to gain community service hours for school, he ultimately enjoys the fun activities and trips he goes on with the kids. One of Timothy’s favorite Sonshine Day Camp memories as a TLC is “swimming with the kids at the local park”. 

For Timothy, he feels blessed to have many Christian friends who keep him accountable. He thanks God that his Christian life is something that comes naturally to him and that his faith doesn’t feel like a chore. Coming from a Christian family, he grew up going to church and learning about God. While volunteering with camp, Timothy is able to show God’s love to the kids through activities and being an example for them. Most of the activities and games that are done at camp help the kids learn about the bible. These activities help the kids learn about God but for Timothy, “it’s a constant reminder of God’s existence and to get connected with Him.” 

Many of the kids look up to Timothy as an older brother. He’s one of the first people that many of the kids go to when they want to play basketball or when they’re having a tough day. He doesn't have trouble sharing the Gospel with the kids and often finds himself in situations where he helps lead bible time. Through the various activities and Bible times, Timothy has realized that learning about God isn’t just for adults, but rather that “… kids can learn and be in tune with God as well.”

Life as a TLC

By Elita Fung, Outreach Workers in St. James Town

Isaac* is a young man in our programs. He not only attends Youth Extreme (our youth drop-in), and EPIC tutoring, but he is also part of our Teens Leading Communities program (TLC) and volunteers with the kids. Isaac is unassuming and quiet, but as I slowly hear stories from the kids and his peers, I can see his servant heart. I asked Isaac a few questions about his plans:

Q. When did you start attending programs?
A. In grade 7, Junior Extreme

Q. Why did you choose to be a TLC and why did you stick with it for these past 5 years?
A. I chose to be a TLC because I wanted to experience being a leader. I stuck with it for 5 years because I grew into liking it more and it’s fun.

Q. How has your experience as a TLC shaped your decisions for college?
A. My experience as a TLC shaped my decisions for college because I love working with kids and [at first] I didn’t picture myself working with kids in the future…[Since] being a TLC I want to do ECE (Early Childhood Education) and to continue working with children.

Q. How else has the TLC program been a blessing to you?
A. The TLC program has been a blessing to me because I get to lead and teach the kids and at the same time I am learning too. I also love the kids and they put a smile on my face no matter what.

Q. What is your dream for the future?
A. My dream is to build up a family and live a decent life and teach my kids and other kids the stuff I’ve done during my childhood.

Isaac will be starting his ECE program in September.

*name changed

Sonshine Daycamp Willowtree: TLC Interview

Eliot Kim, our Outreach Worker in Willowtree, had the chance to ask TLC (Teens Leading Communities) Elijah about his experience helping out at Sonshine daycamp:

Q. What brought you to camp?

A. I was looking for more experience with children.

Q. How long have you been involved?

A. I’ve been involved for three summers.

Q. What has been the best part of Sonshine daycamp?

A. For me, the best part of camp was building relationships with the campers and discovering their view on the world as they grow.

Q. What have you learned about God?

A. One thing I’ve learned about God is that if you be patient He has your back. Every time I faced a problem and I felt like my job was really being put to the test, I didn’t panic and things always turned out well. I’ve seen God work a lot of times this summer because the campers see each other every day and sometimes they get annoyed of one an other and start to have disagreements and get really angry. But just like the Lord forgives us every day, the campers always forgave each other and continued to enjoy themselves during their camping experience. The other time I saw God work, was when they weren’t disagreeing. The bonds between the campers were so strong and they always listen to everyone’s opinion and worked together so it was as if they were one big family.

Sonshine Daycamp Kingston-Galloway: TLC Reflection

By Enos Choy  (Outreach Worker at Kingston-Galloway)

Summer Reflections from Kingston-Galloway

Kaivon was one of our teen leaders at Kingston-Galloway during Sonshine Daycamp this summer. Below are some of his (paraphrased) thoughts:

Last year my younger sister joined Sonshine Daycamp. At the end of that summer, I heard there was a new Jr Extremeprogram so I joined with my friends. A few months later, the new TLC training program started so I also joined that too. When they announced they were hiring for a summer TLC position, I applied. And after sending in my resume and interviewing with the staff, I got the position as a summer TLC.

The Kingston-Galloway summer camp was an amazing experience. It taught me responsibility and how to work with younger and older kids other than my siblings at home. The kids aren’t bad, they just have little fights sometimes, which is normal, but they’re good kids.

Through the leaders, I can see the kids are learning who God is, and that God loves them. And the kids really enjoy the worship songs, they run around camp singing them all the time.

My favourite part about camp is swimming on Wednesdays. The waterside was really fun. I’m definitely coming back as a TLC next year!