Metro Kids News

METRO KIDS NEWS
Spring 2013
NEW TENT IS READY TO HIT
THE STREETS!
Thanks to a generous donation from Five
Corners church in Salmon Arm, BC, Metro Kids
was recently able to acquire a brand new
inflatable tent for use at Sidewalk Kids Klub.
This beautiful tent has full-color Metro Kids
logos on each side and is big enough to keep all
the kids at our sidewalk sites out of the rain. We
will be putting the new tent into use during
spring break and holding a series of Sidewalk
Kids Klub events throughout Surrey. While all
the children are out of school, sidewalk Kids
Klub will help fill their break with a positive
influence, and thanks to this donation the West
coast rains will not slow us down!
Kids like these can have a great time at Sidewalk
Kids Klub during Spring Break this year.
HOME GROWN LEADERSHIP
Over the past number of
years we've seen a lot of different
trends take place in our inner city
outreach to children. One of the
most significant has to be kids
that stay with us for their young
adult lifetime.
We have an adult church
that is connected to the Metro
Kids. We see these teenagers,
young adults and now even
adults who continually seem to
resurface and share of the Our adult volunteers and youth leadership team had a great getaway in the fall to train for
positive influence that our
the upcoming year of Kids Klub and grow together as a team.
children's program has had in
their lives. The most powerful
opportunities to give back to the kids coming after them.
stories are those who stay on to give back to the
Currently there are 12 preteens in our junior leader
community.
training program, and 7 teenagers working hard with our
At Metro Kids, we believe one of the best ways to
Impact Team youth leadership program. Many of our
develop the character of young people is to involve them
adult volunteers used to attend Metro Kids programs
in leadership. Kids who have a purpose and
when they were younger, and are now giving back to
responsibility are much more likely to make good choices
their community. Right now, 75% of all our leaders have
with their lives, especially when they understand that it’s
grown up in Kids Klub, including our senior staff
not all about them. We are working hard behind the
overseeing Kids Klub and ConnXion (Mark and Kirk
scenes to identify and equip the preteens and teenagers
MacIntyre) and Fusion Youth (Kimberley Baas). When
with leadership potential, and provide them with
you’ve been there, you know how important it is to reach
the other kids, and
these ‘home grown
leaders’ are making a
huge impact on the
generations coming
after them
MEET THE STAFF!
his year we have been able to bring on some amazing people to
the staff of Metro Kids. Your support enables these workers to
devote their time and energy to giving the children, preteens, and
youth in the inner city a chance. Assisting Graham Hanson
(Executive Director) and Mike Brownlee (Program Director) are
Linda Vanderhoek (Administration) Mark MacIntyre (Kids Klub),
Kirk MacIntyre (Kids Klub and ConnXion), Kimberley Baas, and
Casey Sandberg (Fusion). Here are some of their stories.
These individuals are on the front lines with Metro Kids
outreaches every week.
KIRK MACINTYRE: CHILDREN’S AND PRETEEN SPECIALIST
Growing up, I was very undersized for my age, and as a result I was picked on and teased quite often. This
prevented me in some ways from really developing socially. However I was invited to a Metro Kids program
as a young kid, and their safe, bully-free environment really allowed me to grow socially. I was able to make
some lifelong friends, and the principles I learned would later serve to help me through some difficult times in
my life. It was through their youth group that a desire was placed upon my heart to help and encourage
others. Metro Kids also served as a forum for me to walk out this calling on my life through their leader in
training program, and later Metro Master’s Commission. I was able to learn and practice my leadership and teaching skills, using my
own experience to help others. The leaders supported me to step out and try new things, to take on more responsibility and eventually
step into a senior leadership position at only 22 years old.
KIMBERLEY BAAS: YOUTH SPECIALIST
I grew up in a poor neighbourhood and came from an abusive home. I had no friends growing up and was
bullied on a daily basis. My life was empty, had no hope, and I didn’t believe in myself. At the age of eleven, a
Metro Kids staff member showed up at my house and explained to my parents about a program called Kids
Klub. At first, I was hesitant but as the weeks went by I learned more and my interest increased. By the time I
was twelve, I began to volunteer with Kids Klub, working with the preschool children. My interest in
volunteering with children increased and I began to assume more responsibility. I have since decided my
career choice based off the volunteer work I have done with Kids Klub. I have been working with Kids Klub for thirteen years now and
it has taught me so much. Being at Kids Klub made me feel accepted, loved, safe and was my happy place growing up. I have built
some amazing friendships through the people I have met over the years who also volunteer. Kids Klub saved my life and has greatly
defined who I am as an individual.
CASEY SANDBERG: YOUTH INTERN
I first got connected with Metro Kids during a summer internship in 2010. After that time, I moved to Davao City,
Philippines, to work alongside my parents in their orphanage, new church, and youth outreach, as well as hosting
a weekly radio show. This past year, I felt a strong desire to come back to Canada and reach out to the young
people here in the inner city. I contacted Metro Kids and have been assisting with the youth and preteen
programs since January. I am excited to see what lies ahead
FILL ‘ER UP FOR THE KIDS!
Metro Kids is proud to partner with Husky and Mohawk
gas stations’ Community Rebate Program.
When you make purchases at any Husky or Mohawk
station and show your Metro Kids Community Rebate card, a
percentage of your purchase will be returned to Metro Kids to
offset our own fuel costs.
We can mail a card to anyone willing to support us in this very simple way.
This is not a credit card – it’s like a rewards card (such
as Air Miles or Save-On Points) except the kids get the
rewards!
We are also connected with the iSwirl program –
a cash back, community based loyalty program. If you
pick up a free iSwirl card and present it at an iSwirl
vendor, you will receive some cash back on your
purchase and Metro Kids will receive a donation!
5th Annual
For more information on this program you can
check out www. iswirl.ca
Contact us today (email Mike at
[email protected]) to have your own
Husky or iSwirl card mailed out to you and start
filling up for the kids!
Coming soon to Fraser Glen golf course in Abbotsford – it’s our Fifth
Metro Kids Society
Charity Golf Classic!
LEAVE THE KIDS A LEGACY
We are looking for donors and corporations who
will partner with us in our Legacy Dream Fund.
Metro Kids has been offered the opportunity to
purchase a building in the inner city valued at
approximately One Million dollars for only
$400,000. If we can raise the necessary capital,
this will ensure that there is always a place in
Surrey for the kids to call their own. Please
contact Graham (604-780-0777) for more
information.
annual Charity Golf Tournament and BBQ. Golfers, mark your
calendars for Saturday, June 8 at 1:00 PM and stay in touch for
updates! For this tournament to be a success, we need two things:
GOLFERS
And
PRIZES!
If you or someone you know would like
to join the tournament, or have any
connections for prize donations for this
great event, please contact Graham at
604-780-0777.
#110 – 12332 Pattullo Pl.,
Surrey BC V3V 8C3
604-812-7178
www.metrokids.ca
Thank you for your support! Gifts are tax-deductible.