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As a Social Services team we offer:
-food vouchers;
-emergency accommodations, with the support of VCARS (Victim Crisis Assistance & Referral Service), which provides funding for this effort through the provincial government;
-transportation, mostly by bus, often to doctor’s appointments or job interviews;
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help (along with St. Vincent de Paul, St. James’ Anglican Church, The Salvation Army, and the Lighthouse Ministries) with rent and hydro; and/or connecting people to government programs;
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help for a variety of other needs.
Along with immediate assistance, we offer a listening ear so people feel they are cared about and emotionally supported, with the community of St. Paul’s ready to welcome them and include them in worship and service. Our hope is that people will use our assistance as a springboard to moving ahead in life, finding and following their dreams and visions, and “paying it forward” by giving to others in any ways they can.
The collaboration with other Social Service agencies in town has become a significant part of the help we can offer, as well as creating a deepening feeling of “team effort” within the community. We are continually seeking ways to strengthen these bonds.
Of great significance is the Social Services Team with volunteers from St. Paul’s taking turns being “on duty” during our Social Service hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 to 11:00 am. Additional volunteers are welcome to join us; what you will experience is a deeper awareness of the needs in our community and the satisfaction of knowing what a difference our efforts as a church make in the lives of so many people.
We try to be Christ’s presence to those who come to us for help
Grandmothers to Grandmothers
This group seeks to raise awareness and mobilize support in Canada for Africa’s grandmothers. The campaign was launched by the Stephen Lewis Foundation in March 2006 in response to numerous reports coming from the field about the increasing vulnerability of grandmothers as they labour to hold children and society together.
For information about the ‘Mariposa Grannies’ group at St. Paul’s, contact Myrtle Gordon at 538-2243.
Early Bird Breakfasts
Early Bird Breakfasts are a periodic feature of the St. Paul’s community.
They begin at 8:30 on Sunday mornings when we have a special guest come to speak to us about a social justice issue that is often linked with opportunities for us to actively participate.
Each time we have a breakfast, people comment that they are glad they came for these times of intellectual stimulation, spiritual development, and yummy nourishment.
Jubilee House
St. Paul
’s is one of several churches who work together providing transitional housing for women that includes support, training and encouragement as well as a place to live.
We are responsible for one of the four apartments.
Mother Care and Mother Care Next Step
Mother Care meets every Friday at 9:30 a.m. and is a drop-in program for pregnant women and new moms with babies up to 6 months old.
Mother Care Next Step meets every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m., and is a continuation of the program for women with children between the ages of 6 and 24 months.
These programs provide free milk and nutritious foods, prenatal vitamins, information on community and its resources, breastfeeding support, early child development information, a safe and friendly place to meet others and a supervised child play area. For info call 326-9905.
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