Challenges

This has been quite a year so far. We have moved into our new facility and are now putting the finishing touches on our programs. In two weeks our Community Diner will open. People will be able to come on a Tuesday evening and receive a healthy meal for $2 or $5 for a family. Several of our friends in the neighborhood are waiting with anticipation for its opening. The food bank is growing, which is a double edge sword.

We are now feeding 150 families a week with a waiting list of about 20 families. The need in the West Island is growing. A study done by the City of Montreal shows that 44% of West Island North live under the poverty line($0-$19,000). This is a very high number. We are committed to working with other social needs organizations and the City to do what we can to help our neighbors.

We have begun working with one of the mental health organizations in the West Island to provide a work project for some of their clients who hope to return to the work force. The client will come to On Rock on a weekly schedule to do whatever work we can offer them. This gives the individual a feel for following a schedule and interacting with other workers outside of their therapeutic community.

Our challenge as we go forward is a financial one. We have grown 4 times our size when we first moved. At present we are operating at a $12,000 a month deficit. We are in need of people who will commit to give to this ministry and catch the vision for our community. We also need corporate donors. On the encouraging end, a highly influential man in the community told us he can help us with fund raising, so we are hoping this pans out. We have also begun working with our friend Anny to raise our profile in the community in order to raise funds.

If you would like to get involved, please email me and I will get the necessary information to you. If you are already involved, thank you for your generosity and desire to help us make a difference in our community. Together, we are making a difference.

Check out our website; www.onrock.org


Peace

K