summer 2011.pub

By Sharleen Ramon
A group of five students from Mohawk College collaborated with Living Rock to raise awareness and funds for youth-atrisk. Last year, Living Rock offered a program in which 22 youth went from being street-involved and homeless; into
successful jobs in the hospitality industry. Some of these youth came from a program called GPS: New Pathways for
Youth. Funding ended in March 2011. This dramatic change and program inspired the group of Mohawk College students.
The Mohawk College students chose to heighten awareness of Living Rock
by selling T-shirts and raising $1,000. On March 16th the group engaged
other students by setting up a booth at Mohawk College. The shirts were
sold not only at the college, but to friends in Brantford, Halton,
Brampton, Niagara Region, British Columbia and England. They sold 90
shirts and raised $1,300.
The success of the initiative taken on by the committed, dedicated and
flexible students, not only fulfilled the expectations of their
instructor, Susan Kowalski, but leaves a legacy for youth-at-risk,
benefiting from the increased awareness brought on by this project.
Special Donations
Received From:
Anon, Anon
Lorraine Johnston
McMaster University Library
Dawn Caillet
In Memory of:
Andreas Chinnery
Andreas Chinnery
Andreas Chinnery
Joyce Mortimer
Received From:
Sarah Gardner
Correction from last Newsletter:
Mrs. Lewis
In Honour of:
Wedding Guests
In Honour of:
Eversley Lewis
30 Wilson St., Hamilton ON
L8R 1C5
UPCOMING EVENTS
Creativity Through Diversity Fashion Show
Thursday July 28th, 2011
Sir John A. McDonald School
130 York Blvd
7pm-9pm
Arts of August Grand Finale
Thursday August 25, 2011
Hamilton Public Library - Central Branch
55 York Blvd
6pm - 9pm
Back to School Professional Lunch
Thursday September 22, 2011
Living Rock Transit Room
Life Long Learning Week
Phone: 905-528-7625
CHARITABLE#: 88345 8812 RR0001
Check out Living Rock’s New Website! www.livingrock.ca
“Meet The Street Urban Ministry Training”
BOOK A SPEAK, VIDEO OR MEET THE STREET
SERVICE PROJECT 905-528-7625 x224
YOUR RIGHTS AS A DONOR
If at anytime you would like to change the amount of mail you receive from us, please contact the Development
Team at 905-528-7625 x239, and we would be happy to comply with your request.
In addition, Living Rock Ministries assures its donors that personal information is not used for commercial purposes. We do not rent, sell, trade or share our donor information. Personal information is kept confidential and
is used only to mail you information about our services.
LIVING ROCK MINISTRIES PROGRAMS & SERVICES
youth food bank ▪ breakfast program ▪ evening meals ▪ positive recreation programming ▪
anti-racism initiative ▪ employment readiness training ▪ chaplaincy ▪ visiting youth in custody ▪
urban ministry training ▪ addictions counseling ▪ health clinic and medical supports ▪
volunteer opportunities ▪ educational assessments and supports ▪ youth work-to-earn ▪ incentives
▪ computer resource room ▪ housing supports ▪ supports for pregnant and parenting
youth ▪ creative art competition celebrating diversity ▪ self care and health promotion for
young women ▪ gps: “new pathways for youth”
Founded 1985
905-528-7625
Warm Hands,
Kind Heart
www.livingrock.ca
Summer 2011
“The word I think of is grateful. It takes a
community to raise a child and for me the
Rock has been that community. The Rock
has invested great seeds of hope, grace
and courage in me.” Jordan
Jordan pictured with Justin & James (From left to right)
at Living Rock’s Dinner in the Rock Garden. To find
out more about this please check out the insert
included in this newsletter!
“My friends told me about the Evening Program at the Rock, so I
came,” Ian said. “I liked the food and the staff, so I kept
coming back.” Ian came to the Rock when he was 21 years
old, and continued coming until his 26th birthday.
Eamon, Rock Resources Coordinator says, “Ian is a
respectful, kind and honest youth. I could entrust jobs with
him and he would do it, and do it properly.” Eamon goes on
to say:
“He exemplifies what the Living Rock can do for a
youth. Ian is happy and safe here. He will make a
fine Alumni. He believes in what the Rock stands for
and imparts it to others. ”
g
Ian playin
l at the Y
basketbal
“He is contagious. Ian has been an integral part of the Living Rock, helping youth and
staff in any way that he can.”
Having spent time in foster care for 12 years, Ian knows the struggle to belong and
have a sense of family. He couldn’t wait to return home to his mother; with the help of
staff he has made that transition. “The staff at the Rock are really friendly and willing to
help out when needed. Doug, Julie, and Tim have been there to talk to me, when I
really needed it.” (Story continued inside. . .)
MCA
Director’s Report
By Alan Craig
I am grateful for God’s goodness and the
community of support being raised up for Living Rock.
The Gathering Chapel has had dynamic speakers share
stories of their journey of faith. Youth have prayed with
their friends. The Golf Committee, sponsors and golfers
work diligently to stand with Living Rock. Volunteers,
students and staff step up to create a safe and supportive
refuge for youth.
Damien Domer is one of those dynamic and talented
volunteers. Damien had a vision to provide a youth with
a positive, exciting opportunity to be mentored in their
musical talents and express themselves through Rock
Idol. Damien said, “The event is the youth’s moment to
shine and be recognized for their talents and abilities. The
youth are pouring their heart and soul in the competition.”
I attended the finals with special guests: Mayor Bob
Bratina, MP David Sweet and Recording Artist, Sarena
Paton. The youth did an excellent job. Thanks to
Damien for organizing the event and sharing your many
gifts with the Rock. Thanks to Darryl Hutson from
Music Express for providing your professional equipment
and for doing sound at the finals. Thanks to Tim Pocius,
Director of for Mustard Festival for being a Judge,
generously donating prize money and giving the finalists
an opportunity to sing at Mustard Festival on Labour
Day Weekend. Congratulations to Gage, the new Rock
Idol.
I was so touched by the presentation of Darrell Scott
from Rachel’s Challenge at last year’s Gala. My vision
for the Annual Dinner was to continue to have an
inspirational evening with friends of Living Rock. This
year we invited Tim Huff to share. Tim is an old friend
of the Rock and played in a band at Streetlight, the ‘90’s
Living Rock concert series and outreach. His book
“Bent Hope” is brilliant and he now is my favourite
writer. We knew he would communicate his passion to
serve and minister to youth. Rock participants told their
stories. Jim Turnbull made an inspirational appeal for
ongoing support to support critical programs. It was a
great evening. Thanks again for all your prayers and
support as we go into the summer.
Oasis Coffee House Dinner Program has been
offering youth-at-risk a place of belonging since
1995 over 100,000 meals have been served!
Students from Grimsby Secondary High School
put together a presentation about Living Rock in
hopes to win $5,000 for the Rock from Toskan
Casale Foundation.
The Toskan Casale Foundation created the
Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI), a high
school program providing students with a real
philanthropy learning experience that researches
and benefits local, community-based social
service agencies.
One question that came up from the youth, is
“what makes this a coffee house?” This was a very
good question. Our team really wanted the program to feel like a coffee bar, where youth could
come, grab a coffee, enjoy music, activities and
community. We lacked one key ingredient, a coffee bar. Over the last few years we have
included a coffee bar on our wish list but with so
many pressing needs at the Rock such as paying
utilities, supporting under funded programs, this
vision kept taking a back seat.
Recently on a visit to Avondale’s Restaurant Supply
store Julie Conway, Open Access Manager was
looking for any items under a $100 that would
contribute to the atmosphere. Julie got a glimpse of
a beautiful coffee bar that she knew would be
perfect for the coffee house. Leaving the store that
day, the owner asked, “Did you find everything
that you were looking for?” With a twinkle in her
eye Julie responded by saying “Did I ever, but it is
not in the budget! To Julie’s surprise, Avondale
offered her the coffee bar and the matching display
shelves that she had not even asked for.
To top this off, 4 men from Avondale Restaurant
Equipment Hamilton, brought this large donation
down to the Rock and even carried it up the stairs
right into the Gathering Room where the Oasis
Coffee House happens.
Living Rock wishes to thank Grimsby Secondary
School YPI Team for all their hard work that
resulted in the award of $5,000.
Since its launch, the program has
enabled young philanthropists to
donate over $4 million.
Thanks to Avondale Restaurant Supply
Store, who have enabled our coffee
house vision to come true and gave so
generously of their time and muscle.
(cont)
Returning as Alumni, Ian will
continue give back to the Rock.
“Life without the Rock would
have been hard.
Doug, Weekend Coordinator is given a cheque by Abby Spencer, Sara Wanng
and Clair Greenless.
Looking for some good summer reading? You can pick up the
story of the Rock, written by Al Craig and Suzie Chiodo at
Living Rock Ministries or call for details on shipping!
Donate $100 to
Living Rock and
Receive a free copy
of:
“The
The Living Rock:
Between Me & a
Hard Place.”
Place.
The Rock has helped me
to change, given me new
friends, made me feel a
part of a team and given
me resources.
Now I am going back to school
to be a recreation and leisure
student, and I am volunteering
in the community and at the
Rock. I gave as a youth at the
Rock, now I want to give back
to the Rock as an alumni.”
On Saturday a group 25 Ontario Fly Fisherman, 3
Marshals and Rand Scott "The BBQ Guy" (legend
has it that he can BBQ just about anything with
perhaps the exception of ice cream) gathered for
the 4th annual Coal Tar Classic (CTC).
These anglers brought about 80 lbs of fish and
collectively donated over $1,100 to support
Living Rock and at-risk-youth.
o renovate
Helping FirstOntari
ck building
Ro
ing
Liv
Enjoying the
diversity at A
rts of August
Grand Finale
This years winner Kim Rood, from Oshawa
hauled in two Sheephead - Freshwater
Drum - for a total of 32 inches. His prize, a 15
pound lump of coal donated by the Oxford
County Geology Society.
Kim Rood, CTC Winner
Winning Team
Golf Committee
Living Rock would like to thank everyone
who participated in making the 15th Annual
Golf Tournament a success! Thank you to
the sponsors, players and volunteers.
The Dinner in the Rock Garden, Plant Sale and Silent Auction was held on
May 12, 2011 at Carmen’s Banquet Centre. It was a wonderful night for the staff
and friends of Living Rock Ministries and youth-at-risk. Main speaker Tim Huff was
very inspirational. Jim Turnbull, who is a friend of The Rock, gave a dynamic
challenge. Living Rock House Band VOID was a hit with their music. There were
many emotional moments including a Memorial Tribute to Brendon Fabbro who
for 10 years was impacted by Living Rock.
Brendon Fabbro
1980 - 2010
“Life presents itself with blessings and challenges. For
Brendon, the Living Rock offered faith, hope and friendship.”
There was also Volunteer Recognition for the 500 Hour Club or volunteers who
have accumulated over 500 hours each in service to Living Rock in the past two
years. The silent auction was a great success, with a large number of items
donated, bid upon and taken home by happy winners.
Thank you to all the donors for their
auction items. Thanks also to
Connon Nurseries for the amazing
plants supplied for the evening.
What a delight!
500 Hour Club. (Pictured above:
from Left to Right) Karen CraigProgram Director of Living Rock,
Haroon Ahmad, Stacey Callahan,
Iona Leaist, Ellen Devine, Cindy
MacDonald, Michelle Jordan
ABOVE youth enjoy the Dinner with Breakfast Staff
Graeme. RIGHT: Bob (TRI-Rock Employment Coach)
Photos Courtesy of Strungfoto.
2010 Sponsors:
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