This Christmas was definitely a bench mark for On Rock. It was a confirmation that moving to A Ma Baie a year ago was the right move. We have had more community involvement this year than ever before. From Companies, individuals, churches, municipalities and other community organizations, so many responded to the growing need in our community to help us provide excellent food and gift boxes to those in need.
We held our fist Community Diner Christmas party. 51 people showed up and had a great evening of food, fun and gifts for the kids. Don and Ann did a great job of coordinating this event.
Food collection through the Christmas season was phenomenal. We have full shelves to help us get through the "slow" season that comes after Christmas.
This year we had 41 volunteers helping with our Christmas baskets. It was a little overwhelming, but amazing at the same time. The Police came out to help package and deliver boxes. 10 officers, including the Commander! Jim, a friend and City Councillor was on hand as well. Thank you to Xylem as well as all the other people who came out to make Christmas special for our families.
As always money is a challenge in these economic times, so I want to thank the various organizations who raised money for us this year through their Christmas initiatives. This is an encouragement to us and will help keep us moving forward.
I have started doing video blogs, which you can find on YouTube and our web site, www.onrock.org
I want to wish you all a Happy & safe New Year. We look forward to this New Year in A Ma Baie.
Peace,
K
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Christmas Already!
Yes, Christmas is upon us. The day after Halloween, Starbucks had their Christmas decorations and menus up. This is also when we begin planning for our Christmas baskets. We are serving 160 families now. The number seems to grow every week. We already have 5 or six families who have come on board to supply Christmas dinner and gifts for kids to some of our families. It is amazing to experience the generosity that this season brings out.
Our Tim Horton's food collection has begun as well. Four Tim's this year are providing food for On Rock through their Christmas drive. St. Charles(north), Beaconsfield, St. John's and Sources stores are helping us out. So, drop in, have a coffee or a meal and bring some non-perishables with you. A big thank you to these stores for giving back to the community.
The Community Diner is planning a Christmas dinner for some of our friends in the neighborhood as well. This is a first for us and a big undertaking, but it should be a lot of fun.
If you would like to be involved in providing Christmas for one of our families, please contact us and we will set you up.
Peace,
K
Our Tim Horton's food collection has begun as well. Four Tim's this year are providing food for On Rock through their Christmas drive. St. Charles(north), Beaconsfield, St. John's and Sources stores are helping us out. So, drop in, have a coffee or a meal and bring some non-perishables with you. A big thank you to these stores for giving back to the community.
The Community Diner is planning a Christmas dinner for some of our friends in the neighborhood as well. This is a first for us and a big undertaking, but it should be a lot of fun.
If you would like to be involved in providing Christmas for one of our families, please contact us and we will set you up.
Peace,
K
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Busy Days
The Diner has been running for 4 weeks today. The response from the neighborhood has been good. Walk in on a Tuesday night and you can smell that something good is going on. The mood is upbeat, how can it be otherwise when 4 women, all over 60 are playing Foosball, squealing and giggling as they play.
We have also been overwhelmed by the number of people who are calling to volunteer. We have had good response from the media coverage we have received lately. Individual, schools and organizations are calling to get involved. It is encouraging to say the least.
Today is busy. 2 men are here cleaning, 3 people working in the kitchen getting food prep done for tonight. Pete just commented that it used to be quiet on Tuesdays,... I'd much rather this.
Peace,
K
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Community Diner story in the News & Chronicle
The News & Chronicle did a story this week on the opening of the Diner next Tuesday. They did a great job. A big thanks to Carmen. You can read it here, http://t.co/B1SsuitW Enjoy.
Peace,
K
Peace,
K
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The Community Diner
Last night we had a meeting with some of those who want to serve in our community Diner, Which opens Oct. 4th. It is so encouraging to sit with people who are full of ideas and experience. There were 7 of us in the meeting and there are at least 3 more we are aware of who want to help. This is amazing.
We start October 4th with a spaghetti supper. The plan is coming together beautifully, with Don and Ann co-coordinating the program. I look forward to seeing how the community responds.
Community Diner will be open every Tuesday from 5:30-8pm. Meals are $2 and $5 for a family. If you would like to be involved, let us know.
Peace,
K
We start October 4th with a spaghetti supper. The plan is coming together beautifully, with Don and Ann co-coordinating the program. I look forward to seeing how the community responds.
Community Diner will be open every Tuesday from 5:30-8pm. Meals are $2 and $5 for a family. If you would like to be involved, let us know.
Peace,
K
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Hanging out with The Queen
Yesterday was the Queen of Angels Academy's beginning of the year BBQ. At this event they raised money for On Rock. We were invited to attend and set up an information table. The Principal and staff were very accommodating and interested in how the school could be involved with us throughout the year. The food was good, the people were great.
It was encouraging to make some new friends in the community. We are looking forward to exploring how we can work together this year.
Stay informed on twitter @onrockupdate
Peace,
K
It was encouraging to make some new friends in the community. We are looking forward to exploring how we can work together this year.
Stay informed on twitter @onrockupdate
Peace,
K
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
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
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
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