Community: Many folks come to CM looking for a safe, warm place to belong. All are welcomed at CM. People are only asked to uphold a culture of kindness, love and respect for their fellow attendees. 

Partnerships: Building partnerships is at the core of CM’s existence and success. In 2017 CM, in addition to the continued support from St. Mark’s and Calvary Memorial UC, received various types of support from the following: The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, Central Fresh Market, Christ the King UC, the local Scouts troop, local Brownie and Sparks troop, KCI students, many private individuals, Reformation Lutheran Church, scrapbooking enthusiasts who attended a fundraiser event to raise money for shoes and boots, New Horizons Concert Band, COBS Bakery, Piller’s Fine Foods, Russel Stover and many others! This year CM partnered with the Sanguen Community Health Van http://sanguen.com/. The Van is present during CM’s Wednesday meals and offers support to all the CM attendees. 

Trust & Safety: Many of CM clients suffer from mental illness, trauma, abuse, addiction, etc. They are the vulnerable in our community and so it takes lots of compassion, understanding and time for trust to be built. CM’s goal is to create a space such that all who come through the doors of CM feel safe. We want people to have the experience of CM being a place where they belong and where everyone matters.

 

Nourishing (Basic Needs): An average of three people per week come to CM asking for assistance to obtain basic needs, food, shelter, clothing, and connection, someone to listen to them. This is in addition to the many who come on Wednesdays looking for not just a one time meal, but basic needs as well. Some of the people live on the streets and are in need of food that does not need to be refrigerated or cooked, products like Boost or Ensure, and protein bars. They also benefit from donated Tim’s cards so they can go and get something to eat and warm up. Some need information on resources like where they can get help to find shelter, or housing. Some need clothing. CM is working on building a supply of coats, boots, shoes, personal care items and other clothing items to offer clients. CM’s food voucher program was able to increase the amount of the vouchers this year. The program continues to help families with children make ends meet, many of whom are new comers to Canada, single parents and people struggling with health issues. 

Volunteers: Volunteers come to CM with passion and enthusiasm to help. They come to give and are often surprised by the fact that they also receive. They learn the basics in proper health and safety procedures when handling, cooking and serving food, how to set up for the weekly meal, how to organize donations of food and clothing, BUT they also learn first hand from those who are constantly in distress in this world, those in their community who face daily the challenges of being marginalized. They learn the power of building friendships with these people, listening to their stories, getting a glimpse inside their lives and appreciating their struggles. 

Attendees: Those who come to CM for support often need to be educated in the basics. Some people need to be taught how to live on their own after a partner has died. Some need to learn basic life skills like cooking a meal for themselves. Some people need to be taught how to access the support resources in the KW area. Some need to be taught skills like how to obtain a new Health Card when a card has been lost or stolen. 

CM Coordinator: For her continuing education, Susan attended safeTALK, training in suicide alertness. She also attended a professional training workshop, Compassionate Inquiry with Dr. Gabor Mate, MD in Toronto. Dr. Mate is a leading expert on trauma and addition. The coordinator also attended an event that was offered to CM volunteers, staff and the congregations of Calvary and St. Mark’s called “Harm Reduction and Dealing with Drug Emergencies and The Use of Naloxone” that was offered by Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services. 

Facebook: This year CM launched a facebook page. Search “Community Ministry, Kitchener ON” The beauty of a facebook page is that wherever CM goes, or the clients that access CM services go, facebook and the information shared will be a constant. CM has 103 followers to date! If you haven’t already, please LIKE our page. 

Bulletin Announcements & Newsletters: Sending articles to St. Mark’s Remarks and Calvary Memorial UC is an important way to communicate what is happening at Community Ministry and what is needed. It is also often how CM thanks all the great volunteers and those who make donations and support CM in various ways. 

Food: Most of the food used by CM is supplied by The Food Bank of Waterloo Region. Other food is donated by volunteers, those who have access to market place bargains, those in the church congregations, those individuals who keep a look for sales and purchase what is needed when items are less expensive. There is actually an abundance of food. The challenge is effective distribution. CM is handing out more hampers (including fresh food items like vegetables, milk and eggs) every week and is able to provide give away items at the end of the Wednesday meals. 

Volunteers: Volunteers come from all across the community. Some are from the congregations, some are from other churches interested in getting involved or learning about CM. Some are student volunteers from high schools looking to complete their community service hours, and some students come to CM because they enjoy being part of it. Some volunteers are people who attend the Wednesday meals for support but want to give back. Extra volunteers are invited to help prep and serve during CM’s special Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. Lots of volunteers are coming and going and therefore it takes lots of coordinating to make sure the work is covered! 

Events: With the help of faithful volunteers, CM is able to host fundraising events, special meal events, gift giving events, craft events, educational, and musical events that are attended by Wednesday meal folks, volunteers, congregants and staff throughout the year.