Outreach
The people of Fonthill United Church express their Christian
values in many tangible ways. Our Outreach Committee takes
leadership in presenting projects to the congregation and in channelling
funds to many worthwhile endeavours. We designate 10% of all our
contributions to the general fund for the support of our mission.
That includes the Mission and Service Fund of the United Church in
Canada (6% or $12,671 in 2010) and the remainder (4%) for local outreach
projects. In addition to this, we support the work of Niagara
Presbytery and through it, the work of Hamilton Conference of the United
Church. When there are special needs, as there were in Haiti, we
also raised $5,000 for relief.
Stewards of Hope
As part of its program this year, the Stewardship Committee
surveyed the congregation about its charitable donations, of both time
and money, to agencies and organizations outside of the church which
serve the community and people throughout the world. The results
of this survey nearly overwhelmed us! We received 43 surveys back
and we have listed the 106 different agencies that receive the
charitable contributions, including the number of people who reported
making contributions, below and on the reverse.
This list represents a tremendous amount of good will and an
investment in hope. Thank you to all who completed the survey.
We commend everyone who contributes to making the world a better place
for God’s people. By doing this, you are being faithful Stewards
of Hope.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in
believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy
Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
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Health |
Community |
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Children &
Families |
Justice |
Does the money do any good?
We receive many expressions of gratitude from
our recipients which tells us it does. For example:
From Pelham Cares: "Pelham Cares
wishes to thank you for your support. We thank you too for your
thoughtful donation to our sports education outreach programme.
Please know all your kindnesses are very much appreciated and gratefully
acknowledged."
From Habitat for Humanity: “Thank you so much for your
generous donation. We are so grateful for your compassionate
spirit and leadership… enabling us to reach more families, build more
homes, and strengthen our communities.”
From the Hope Centre: “Contributions made by the
thoughtful and caring people in our community are vital in our efforts
to assist those who are facing difficulties in their lives. Your
dedication and support means so much to all of us. Thank you.”
From the Raft Association for Teens: “By connecting
youth to the continuum of community services the RAFT helps these young
people move out of the cycle of homelessness, offering a safe place that
is free from violence, intimidation, exploitation and drugs and alcohol.
One step at a time we are making a difference.”
From Community Care: “Our thanks go out to you for your
recent generous donation. We truly appreciated your support, as
donations over the summer months are low. It is because of caring
people like you that we are able to assist the less fortunate in our
community. Thank you.”
From Doctors Without Borders (MSF): "On behalf of MSF, I
would like to thank you for responding to those in need and helping us
deliver assistance to the world’s most vulnerable populations.. We
are often the first medical relief organization to arrive at the scene
of an emergency. Your support means that MSF can provide needed
medicine and trained personnel.”
From the Manjari Sankurathri Memorial Foundation: “Thank
you for your generous donation which will be spent on health care and
educational programs in rural India. At the eye hospital over
10,000 patients per year, who would otherwise go blind, receive free
cataract surgeries. In Schools over 160 children from rural poor
families are enrolled each year. The new vocational school helps
unemployed youth prepare for jobs.”
From Bethlehem Projects Niagara: (from a client) “The
staff at Bethlehem Place were there for me every step of the way.
The compassion and commitment was incredible. I took advantage of
programs offered, the life skill program, parenting groups, assistance
with budgeting and help in securing housing to name a few. I also
know that none of this would have been possible without the support that
Bethlehem Projects of Niagara receives from their donors. I hope
that you will continue to support Bethlehem Projects so that they can
continue to assist those that are desperately in need of help.
Thank you” A.A.
Here is a partial list of the outreach projects we support and
the websites you can visit for more information about them:
Through the United Church of
Canada
Mission and Service Fund -
http://www.united-church.ca/files/funding/msfund/at-a-glance.pdf
Through Hamilton Conference
and Niagara Presbytery:
Bethlehem Place -
http://bethsupporthousing.com/
The Hope Centre -
http://www.thehopecentre.net/
Brock University Ecumenical Chaplaincy -
http://www.brocku.ca/campus-ministries/ministries/ecumenicalchaplaincy
Women’s Resource Centre -
http://www.womensresourcecentre.net/
Through our Local Outreach
Program:
Operation Christmas (Christmas Baskets for needy families)
Harvest Supper Program -
http://niagara.cioc.ca/record/NIA5603
Open Arms Mission -
http://www.openarmsmissionwelland.com/site/home
Niagara Habitat For Humanity -
http://www.habitatniagara.ca/
Pelham Cares -
http://www.pelhamcares.org/
Women’s Place South Niagara -
http://www.womensplacesn.org/
Hope House Welland -
http://www.thehopecentre.net/
Bethlehem Place -
http://bethsupporthousing.com/
Niagara Nutrition Partners -
http://www.niagaranutritionpartners.ca/
Community Cares of West Niagara -
http://www.communitycarewn.ca/
Cave Springs Camp -
http://www.cavespringscamp.on.ca/
Family and Children’s Services (FACS) camping program -
http://www.facsniagara.on.ca/
Resource Association For Teens (The RAFT) -
http://www.theraft.ca/
MSF - Doctors Without Borders -
http://www.msf.ca/
M.S.M.F. India -
http://msmf.ca/
Brock University Ecumenical Chaplaincy -
http://www.brocku.ca/campus-ministries/ministries/ecumenicalchaplaincy
Through the UCW:
The United Church Women add their contributions to some of the
above projects and in addition support:
Carribean Workers Outreach Project -
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Caribbean-Workers-Outreach-Program-CWOP-/244517178734
The Oak Centre Welland -
http://www.oakcentre.ca/about.html
Canadian Hunger Foundation (CHF) -
http://www.chf-partners.ca/
United Church World Development and Relief -
http://www.united-church.ca/funding/msfund/about/wdr#background
Canalview Homes -
http://www.wellandtribune.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3174107
Meals on Wheels
