A small Player on a LARGE Team

What “ignites” your passion? Is it friends, family, Sydney Crosby or Pinterest?

It seems that everywhere I turn, there is bad news. Refugee crisis, ISIS attacks, oil downturns, uncertain global market conditions, starving children, and the list only goes on.

My human nature desires to help, but I end up grieving these tragedies, feeling helpless. Everything seems so far away and my ability to help doesn’t really seem to be a reality, and would I really make a difference?

A good friend of mine, Houston Cheung has been involved with an organization helping families in our backyard, Toronto. I had no idea of the extent of the very real needs within our own city that were being met. So, when Houston asked me to consider becoming a member of Toronto City Mission board of directors I was excited for the opportunity to serve God in a new and fresh way.

At the time, I couldn’t anticipate the impact that TCM would have on me in a such a short time. The very committed staff went to great lengths to not only make me feel welcome, but to explain in detail the needs of their communities in which they serve. In addition, our volunteers throughout the organization were equally enthusiastic and clearly indicated the need to back fill positions as we continue to grow. Their passion was a true inspiration for me to get involved and to invest in building relationships as they do, into the people that we serve.

As a Christian in the workplace it can be a challenge to put others first and serve my team members, however, just like our kids that come from struggling financial situations I must lean on others to help me through this process.

Here is what has ignited my passion for TCM:

Watching the smiling faces of kids and families impacted by poverty, who attend our programs like Kids in Community and Sonshine Day Camp. These programs are not only a gift to the kids, but is a way to communicate our love to the parents, most of who are struggling to make ends meet with 2 jobs, and a full family. As a recent parent, nothing speaks louder, than someone loving and taking extra care with my child. What a gift to be able to offer this joy to others.

Speaking of “ignite”, on April 19th, I would love for you to join me at IGNITE 2016: Sparking Hope in Our City. This event will showcase our programs and staff and the impact on the various communities we serve. There is no cost to attend, we look forward to seeing you on April 19th.

Kyle at SpikeBack 2016

Kyle Peterson grew up in Thunder Bay, played Hockey at Michigan Tech and spent 2 years in the Edmonton Oilers organization. He works for Hewitt Equipment in Sales. He is an active member of The Meeting House Downtown, where he and his wife host a home church.

Why I Support Toronto City Mission

By Grace Boneschansker

 It all started in 1982 when George, my husband, was first hired by the Toronto City Mission  (TCM )  as a summer intern and then full time as a boy's director, in the fall. He led after-school Bible clubs in various parts of the city, a floor hockey program in the evening, canoe trips in the summer, and generally drove Don Patterson, the executive director at the time, crazy throughout the year.  George's fondest memories occurred during his first summer there, when he learned the joy of performing puppet shows. There are still about 70 puppets in the house and about 40 original puppet scripts.  He says, "The spirit is still willing but the arms are weak".     

To this day, George is involved in children's ministry such as directing our church's plays and still loves interacting with the Sunday School kids in our church.

For me, it’s all about relationship building.  Once you develop a relationship with someone, you have the opportunity to speak into that person's life. I love that philosophy that Toronto City Mission (TCM) lives by. Both of our daughters had the opportunity to work with TCM and develop those types of relationships.

Shannon, our eldest, was a summer intern in 2002.  She shares with me a story of tutoring a young boy named Robbie*. "Robbie was smart but not always keen on schoolwork, and I suppose the rote nature of spelling may not have been his cup of tea.  But over time, it was a joy to watch Robbie steadily improve and get better grades... as well as find out more about his world. The last I heard he was completing an aerospace engineering program at university."

Jennifer with TCM kids, 2010

Lastly our youngest, Jennifer describes her most memorable moment.  As a summer intern in 2009 and Outreach Worker from 2010 - 2012, she led a lively after school program for children. One individual proved to be quite the handful.  She recalls, "Despite the challenges of working with Stan*, I began to develop a close relationship with him.  I discovered that he felt trapped in his perceived identity as the 'bad kid.'   He really just wanted to be loved."

In a creative object lesson, she illustrated God's grace by taping pieces of paper with different sins written on them to an intern.   She then explained to the children how we have all done wrong.  Sometimes we feel like we are trapped and even though we want to do good things, we just can't. She starts to take off all of those labels that were taped to the intern and explains that because of the cross, God can take all those sins away from us. The only thing we need to do is be willing to let him.

"I remember Stan's face light up as I said the words.  'So, you don't have to do good things on your own?',  he asked me, in complete surprise. "  He continued,  'I don't need to keep on doing bad things?"  For the first time in his life, Stan understood what God's grace really means.

The impact that TCM has on children will then influence their families, their communities, and perhaps the entire city and beyond. That's why I support TCM, where the dividends are far greater than financial.  It's an investment in transformed lives.

There's an old African proverb that says, "It takes a village to raise a child”, this exemplifies TCM's outreach to children and families.  I think of all the parents, TCM staff, volunteers, and supporters (both financially and prayerfully) that are all involved in some way to build into these children's lives positive and biblical values that will serve them well in the years to come.  With this support, I believe we can break the cycle of poverty by engaging our communities impacted by poverty through programs that educate, support and encourage them to do their best, where God is at the centre.

*Names have been changed to protect their identity.

Serving on the Board of Directors

God had a message for me back in the Fall of 2014.  Through prayer groups, sermons, and specifically while attending a WXN (Women’s Executive Network) event, the message He was sending me was I needed to increase my service to others.  With more prayer and support from my women’s prayer group and my mentor, I was encouraged to look at serving on a Board of Directors.  

Through a series of circumstances, which I now interpret as God’s hand at work, I was introduced to Dave Addison, TCM’s Executive Director!

From our very first meeting, it was clear to me that Toronto City Mission was an organization that I would be passionate about serving.  I loved that the programs are designed to first build relationships with the children and families and then to provide a concrete solution for their needs all the while with a focus and emphasis on prevention - on providing tools to families impacted by poverty.  I was inspired by the Outreach Workers who have such a heart for the communities they serve that they choose to live in those communities.

I was humbled to learn that the need in our great city of Toronto is enormous - far more than I imagined.  During my first visit to the Kingston-Galloway site, I heard of children hoarding snacks during the after school program because they were unsure whether they would have dinner that evening.  As a mother to 2 very young children (3 years old and 5 months old), my heart was broken for these children.  To keep these children in an after school program, not only serves their immediate needs, but it means that they are less vulnerable during the after school hours when they would usually be alone.  

Another reason why I was compelled to serve TCM is the Role Model Moms program.   I met a young mother of two who dropped out of school at grade 10 and living on government assistance ever since.  She was determined to break out of the cycle of poverty by finishing her high school diploma and then continuing on like so many in the program to get a college diploma. When speaking to these inspiring women, their answers were all consistent - they were getting their education to set an example for their children.  

Finally, what gives me a passion for Toronto City Mission is their financial need.  The communities we serve depend and rely on the programs organized and run by the dedicated staff at TCM.  I see a huge opportunity for me, my colleagues on the Board of Directors, and the TCM staff/volunteers to pool together our God given talent and resources to respond to this urgent and immediate need.  

As one of the newest members of the Board, I am really looking forward to continue to learn more about the communities we serve and to be a part of God’s work in our great city of Toronto.

Melanie Au began serving on TCM's Board of Directors in June 2015. Melanie is Leader of a team of Senior Acccount Managers at Suncor and is currently on maternity leave with her second child. She attends The Meeting House and has a heart to serve families in Toronto who are impacted by poverty.

Entrepreneurial Leader Organization (ELO) World Conference

By Dave Addison

A few weeks ago, I received an unexpected invitation to attend the Entrepreneurial Leader Organization (ELO) World Conference. ELO’s mandate is to equip, connect and celebrate Christian marketplace and entrepreneurial leaders. I was blessed to have attended as one of Lorna Dueck’s guest, an ELO supporter and host of the conference’s Q&A period.

It was an engaging gathering of Christian entrepreneurs and leaders from around the world sharing their experiences of how God has called and equipped them. There were three overarching themes that I took away from the day:

1. Responding to God’s call

• It may be unexpected. God’s way may not make sense in a worldly way.
• It may be challenging. Not only for yourself, but those with whom you are in close relationship.

2. The absolute importance of Prayer

• The impossible becomes possible. Prayer helps overcome the insurmountable adversities, adversaries, and the unknown.
• Listening is a major part of prayer.

3. Stay humble and give God the glory

• An entrepreneur might attribute success to their hard work; however, in God’s kingdom, all the glory is given to God.
• You are part of God’s story; this is not your story.

As Executive Director of TCM, these three themes are a good reminder of what it means to be a servant leader in God’s kingdom. I am reminded that we are here to build the Kingdom, not our own empire. I look forward to continuing to connect and collaborate with local ministry leaders as we explore God’s will for TCM.  Please join me in prayer.