OGT: Assembly Day tomorrow!

Hi Everyone,

Things have been a bit hectic around here – sorry for the lack of posts!

Last week was our OGT Shopping Day where we picked up enough stuff to fill 35 Street Packs!

Lo and behold, God surprised us with even more support on Sunday during our last collection day. We now have enough donations to fill 40 Street Packs! Thanks so much for all your support!

We will not only be able to touch 40 street youth, but we have also raised $580 for Youth Unlimited’s Emergency Fund!

So what’s next, you ask?

Join us tomorrow for Assembly Day! Held at Mississauga Chinese Baptist Church in the Gym, from 2-5pm.

It’ll be great fun!

See you then!

OGT update

We’re at about 17 Street Packs! Thanks so much for everyone who’s pledged and/or brought in their donations so far!!!

As stated in the previous post, our goal this year is 60 Street Packs!

Deadline to bring in donations is this Sunday! If you have pledged to give items or a full pack – you can bring in your gifts on Assembly Day (all are welcome!) But please let us know if that’s what you plan to do.

For those who are still deciding how to participate, we encourage monetary gifts just so we can buy things in bulk and have greater savings.

For those who have decided to shop for individual items, we are especially low on the following (new items only please!):

• Sleeping bags – minus 5C is ideal
• Restaurant gift cards – YU recommends $20 value for Tim’s or McD’s – they’re easy to find
• Gloves - size L or XL, dark coloured, durable, water-resistant preferred
• Hair brushes – not combs

Also remember to block off your calendars for Assembly Day on Saturday, December 5th, from 2-5pm! It’ll be in the gym, and will be tons of fun!!!

If anyone can offer to bake some goodies, or bring in snacks to share on Assembly Day, please contact us. Any help would be much appreciated!

And last, but certainly not least, please keep this project in your prayers!

Questions? Comments? Let us know.

A neighbour in need

Here is a startling post from our friend Andy at Project417, about an encounter that hits really close to home for us who attend MCBC or live in Mississauga.

It begs the question: Are our suburban churches being good, caring neighbours to the people and the community around us? Do we even know who our neighbours are?

Thank You

The results of Operation Good Thing (OGT) 2008 were published in the latest issue of Youth Unlimited’s newsletter. Last year – in the program’s 14th year – OGT received its highest record of donations!

And our group contributed 20% of YU’s total Street Packs (38 out of 184)!!! Amazing!!! It’s also great encouragement to see the packs in use too. We’ve seen it on the streets!

Thanks again to everyone’s contributions last year and continued commitment to reach out to our greater community!

- Cecilia

Homelessness moves to the suburbs

Happy new year, everyone! Yes, we are still alive here at more than good intentions.

It seems that the suburbs of Toronto need to be wakened to the growing problem of homelessness. While there are no easy answers and we may be rather naïve about the issues underlying the problem, let’s resolve this year to begin working and dreaming together ways of alleviating homelessness in our cities.

In the meantime, here’s an article for you to read: “York region hit by hidden problem“.

We’d love to hear from you about your ideas of how we can begin to tackle the growing poverty amongst our neighbours and friends. Ideas fantastic and simple are all welcome… all we want is for our brain juices to start flowing for the common good!

street level 2009

StreetLevel IV: A Legacy of Justice

Presented by The National Roundtable on Poverty and Homelessness

“A national conference designed to network, resource, encourage and euqip those who work among homeless and street-involved youth and adults, or are interested in engaging in relevant social justice issues.”

March 25-28, 2009 @ The Westin Hotel, Downtown Ottawa, Ontario

Speakers include Rev. Pierre Allard, Cheryl Bear, Bruxy Cavey, Tim Huff, Greg Paul, and Rick Tobias.

For more info, including sessions and registration info, visit http://www.streetlevel.ca.