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" Real stories
about real people you are helping...
Real change, not just small change. That is one of the goals of our work with people on the street and others at risk. The contribution must be measured by more than loonies and quarters dropped in battered Tim Horton's cups. And the fact is, only a scant few of those coins go towards improving the lives of the homeless or even providing for basic needs. Much of that small change goes to feed addictions to alchohol or illegal drugs.
The true measure is - are we helping change lives on the street? The answer is yes. Here are some stories about real people we have helped. I say "we" because, as a support partner of this ministry, you have directly contributed to making a real difference. ( I've changed the names to respect the privacy of these people)
In November of last year I noticed a young woman living under the walkway at Nathan Phillip's Square who had not been there previously. She slept on a bench in two or three sleeping bags and had a large sports bags stuffed with all her personal belongings. She was dressed in an oversized men's parka, several sweaters and track pants with large men's rubber boots, gloves and an ear band. She was appreciative of the bag lunches we deliver on sandwich runs, but didn't want to talk much.
Real change, not just small change
She was there in the same spot every time we went. She always asked if we would buy her a coffee from across the street at Tim's - a large "triple triple" - and always gave us change to buy it with. She began to recognize us and talk a little. Her name was Marsha and in conversation it quickly became apparent she had some serious mental health problems. She was delusional about where she was and had some compulsive behaviour- like sitting in the rain for hours without even a hat and packing and moving all her stuff just a few feet over, then unpacking. She'd repeat the whole process after a few minutes. Marsha was always pleasant and never forgot to thank us for the food. "I really appreciate the sandwiches", she'd say and often ask, " Do you think you could find me some new shoes or track pants?"
Building Trust
As the winter wore on, I worried about Marsha. Although the StreetHelp people visited regularily and made sure she had hot meals and dry sleeping bags, the weather was terribly cold and she didn't appear to be taking proper shelter from the elements. With January and February, the wind chills dropped to minus 35 and I always checked on Marsha when we were on sandwich runs. I often asked her if she would go to one of the shelters but she always said she was fine. "Spring is coming now", she'd say.
One day in a cold, freezing drizzle I asked if we could make arrangements for her transport up to the Knox Out of the Cold program for street youth at Spadina and Harbord. I guess she trusted me a little more now because she very plainly shared her situation - "The last time I went to one of those places I was raped", she said. I said that was terrible and she replied matter of factly, "The guys who did it didn't think so".
Intervention
I began to network with other outreach organizations to find some way Marsha could find treatment and shelter she trusted. Janet with Dixon-Hall, the organization that staffs the Out of the Cold program referred me to the Hostel Outreach Program - H.O.P. They specialize in helping those most at risk - street women with mental health problems. The manager there recognized Marsha by name and description. They had been working with Marsha for several months when she disappeared and they hadn't been able to locate her. Marsha's outreach worker visited her right away. Although further details of Marsha's treatment are confidential, we believe she has relocated to a women's hostel where she can receive the help she so desparately needs without fear of violence.
A Mosaic of Services
This story is a real example of how Ekklesia's Sandwich Run program has an important place in the mosaic of outreach services that exist in the GTA. Because we always take the same routes, I was able to notice when Marsha first appeared. Because we work in groups that usually include women, Marsha did not feel so threatened by our presence and opened up to us. Because of our association with Knox Out of the Cold's Street Youth program, we were able to get Marsha referred to a compassionate service organization.
We see God's hand in this story and how he can work through your generous support to bring healing and hope - Real change!
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" You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts". IICor.3:2-3 |
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April, 2004 From the desk of Joe: It feels like so much has happened since the last time I wrote to you, but I must say that we have had some very exciting and challenging moments over the past month or so. God has been challenging me to move more boldly in the development of the ministry and in my faith journey. I am reminded of II Timothy 1:6-7; "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." Since last September we have had five social work students from Sheridan College doing their field placement with us. This included lectures and site visits as well as practical exercises in working with the homeless. In Brampton, they delivered hygiene kits to homeless people and helped prepare meals for people in crisis. In Toronto they delivered bag lunches to people living on the street and also helped in the Knox-Out of the Cold program for street youth. We are now beginning the interview process with new students, who will join us during the summer and next fall. Recently, Project 417 began to provide breakfast once a week at the Shepherd's House in Brampton. On Friday mornings we prepare and share a breakfast with the people living there. It has been wonderful to get to know the people living in the rooming house as well as working with the staff. We also began a Thursday night worship and discussion group there, including dinner first. This ministry is challenging and rewarding. Many of the people we meet are people who have been involved in the street culture for many years; some are struggling with addiction and mental health issues. Our ministry at the Shepherd's House is incarnational. We are called to be the presence of Christ there and we try to be a living epistle, as Paul wrote in II Corinthians. The summer is always our busiest time of the year. Once again, we continue in partnership with the Center for Student Missions in Toronto and will be providing a sandwich run experience for their groups from May to August. In June and July we'll be doing the same for groups from Urban Promise. These two organizations along with local church and school groups will allow us to offer the sandwich run experience to over one thousand youth! We are also coordinating over one hundred more youth on short-term missions to the GTA in July, with Youth On Mission. They will be doing outreach to the homeless, including the sandwich runs We have begun a dialogue with the Hope Centre at Bramalea City Centre to implement outreach designed to meet the needs of the at risk youth that use the centre. Our program will have an educational and art focus to it. Another project on the horizon is to start a not-for-profit business that will assist people who are in crisis to get training and secure employment in the service industry. The long-term plan is to help the people to set up their own business or franchise. Our needs at this time are critical. We are trying to avoid a deficit situation. Presently our office expenses are $450 a month and we're spending $360 a month on meals for the homeless. The three of us who operate as faith missionaries need to raise our own support. We also need to raise $10,000 to begin the not-for-profit business. Please pray for our ministry, about how you could be involved and how you can help. Become a volunteer or send a financial gift. All gifts are tax deductible. If you require more information, feel free contact me at 416-910-1861 or email at elkerton@project417.com . Thank you for your continued support.
Joe Elkerton Founder / Executive Director Project417 - Ekklesia Inner City Ministries |
MISSION STATEMENT
We exist to be the facilitators of healing, personal development and spiritual growth within the Christian context to the homeless and socially isolated people within the GTA.
THE VISION
To create a community which is accessible to all who are in need. To develop and implement programs and outreach ministries which seek to enable people to move into healthier lifestyles.
CORE VALUES
We believe that all people are created and loved by God.We believe that people have priority over money, structures, systems and other institutions.We must act in ways that respect the dignity, uniqueness and intrinsic worth of every person.We will celebrate the richness of diversity in all humanity.
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